Stamps on handicrafts
Every postage stamp holds a story within itself. The more you look into their archives, the more you understand the artistic and historic vividness of the country. The tradition of applying pieces of paper on messages started on 6th May 1820, when the first postage stamp named ‘one penny black’ was introduced in Britain. From then on the price of postage was to be born by the sender and not by the receiver. Several countries then adopted this practice and stamps became an identity of a nation throughout the globe.
The first Asian adhesive stamp ‘Scinde Dawk’ was released in 1852 by Sindh district under the rule of British East India Company. However, the first stamps for postage throughout India were introduced in October 1854, these were designed and printed in Kolkata.
The first stamp after Indian independence was introduced on 21st November 1947, depicting an Indian flag with a slogan ‘Jai hind’. Since then Indian post office has released many stamps to commemorate history and great battles, to honor national leaders, pay tribute to popular personalities and to celebrate Crafts and Culture.
The first stamp dedicated to crafts was released in 1961, depicting stone carvings of Pithalikora Caves and Kalibangan town. Recently, in 2012 Indian Post office released stamps on Shekhawati paintings and Warli pantings. By the end of 2013, the office will release a stamp collection commemorating the craft of making Indian hand fans, boat building and metal works. To know more about Indian postage stamps and see their archives visit the website of Indian Post office.
