India-Iran Joint Stamp Issue

India and Iran jointly dedicated the second joint stamp issue between the two countries on 17th February 2018. The stamps in two designed were dedicated by the Prime Minister of India and the President of Iran at a bilateral event in New Delhi, during the latter's State visit to India. This joint issuance celebrates the maritime trade links between India and Iran, showing ports. The Indian port of Deendayal Kandla and Iranian Beheshti Chabahar port are depicted on the two stamps in identical designs.

I don't have details for the Iranian version other than pictures of the souvenir sheet, first day cover and a postcard. Information sheet for the Indian version lists Kamleshwar Singh as the stamp/FDC designer and Alka Sharma made the cancellation design. India Post issued two stamps and a miniature sheet along with first day covers. The Indian stamps were printed in 0.501 million quantity for each design and 0.1 million miniature sheets. The stamps were printed at Security Printing Press, Hyderabad.

Joint Stamp Issue between Iran and India (2018): Kandla & Chabahar Ports

The stamps show a graphical representation of the two ports with ships and port equipment on both sides. Deendayal Kandla is a major port located in the Indian state of Gujarat in operation since the 1930s. India and Iran have been working on developing several births in Chabahar port in Iran and the first  shipment of wheat was sent to Afghanistan from Kandla to Chabahar in late 2017. The Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar, located in the Sistan & Baluchestan province is geographically close to India and at a geo-strategic location in the Gulf of Oman. The two countries are working to further develop this as an important trade route to reach the Central Asian markets.

The souvenir sheets have numerous port cranes in the background, line drawings of maps of both the ports on top and two historical monuments in the bottom. The two columns shown are the Ashokan Pillar from Vaishali, India and a Griffin column from Persepolis, Iran.

India and Iran had issued their first joint stamp issue, fourteen year ago, back in August 2004. This first set of stamps jointly commemorated famous poets from both nations - Hafiz from Iran and Kabir from India. I imagine that the details for this joint issue was worked out after the state visit of then Iranian President in January 2003.

Postage Stamps on Indian Hand Fans (2017)

India Post will likely issue a set of stamps on traditional Indian Hand Fans in the last quarter of 2017. The stamp issue was first proposed for issuance in 2012-13. These stamps have been designed in conjunction with the well renowned artist, Jatin Das' collection of Indian Hand Fans, known as Pankha (the word for fan in Hindi). This will be the second set of stamps in 2017, after the Transport stamp issue that uses a private collection as the source of stamp objects.

Indian Hand Fans on Postage Stamps (2017).

So far, its become clear that this set of stamps will contain of a miniature sheet with 16 designs and possibly 16 other miniature sheets with individual stamps. Each of the stamps will be of Rupees 15 denomination.

A list of hand fans that are depicted on the stamps is below. These 16 stamp designs are on one large miniature sheet and then each of these same type of hand fans are also depicted on miniature sheets with single stamps. This issue is like an amalgamation of the Splendor of India and Transport stamps issues of 2017.  I say that because the individual and one large miniature sheet format was used for the Splendor of India issue and the similar to the Transport stamp issue, there will likely be 4 sheetlets with a set of 4 hand fan designs per sheetlet. The striking feature about this stamp issue so far is that the individual miniature sheets may or may not have the same stamp design/formats are the large miniature sheet and this could create way more than 16 stamp designs in the stamp series. I've posted a few images for reference below as well. 

The stamp designs are quite simplistic and could evoke different opinions among the collectors. I personally liked the individual miniature sheets more than the large miniature sheet, which is quite plain with just the fans placed on a white background. The stamp set will likely be printed at India Security Press, Nashik.

Indian Hand Fans Postage Stamps Miniature Sheet (2017).

 

Indian Hand Fans Postage Stamps - Individual Miniature Sheets (2017).

Half-way There?

July is about to set in with the customary long weekend celebrating the Independence Day. Just a few thoughts before crossing over to the second half of the year.

India Post: Highlights

- A set of two stamps and a miniature sheet were released to celebrate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa. Prime Minister Modi released this set of stamps in Gandhinagar during the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. There was a different version of the miniature sheet that was designed by India Post and shared on this blog.

- Another MyStamp sheet, 'Gujarat' with three different stamp designs was released during the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Gandhinagar (January 2015). This MyStamp sheet is probably available in Gujarat only. Not sure how collectors from other regions of India can get access to this stamp sheet.

- Swachh Bharat stamps (3 stamps in individual sheets of 45 and a miniature sheet) were released on 30 Jan 2015 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day. There was a good bit of confusion regarding the total quantity of stamps printed and India Post has still not obliged the philatelic community with any clarification! No wonder price of a set of 3 sheets (45 stamps each design) has risen to almost threefold the cost price.

Fact Check on Swachh Bharat stamps

Total # of stamps printed - 5 lacs

Total # of stamps (each design) - 1.67 lacs

Compare this with the 1 lac stamps printed to commemorate Raj Kumar Shukla in the year 2000. If prices of Raj Kumar Shukla stamp are any indication, it would be prudent to buy a few sets before the prices go any higher.

- Look out for the India-France Joint Issue miniature sheet as well. Although the face value is relatively higher when compared with the Swachh Bharat stamps, lower print quantity (1 lac) could lead to stocks running low in the post offices.

The year has been lackluster, so far as Indian Philately is concerned. Swachh Bharat and India-France stamps did provide some excitement, but the lack of a fixed stamp program, lack of clarity for future stamp releases and an unresponsive postal department act as dampeners.

Looking forward to the stamp releases to commemorate Nabakalebara, Women empowerment, BHEL Limited and Emperor Ashoka. That's it for now.