India

The first meter was placed into use in 1922 during the period of British occupation.
The stamps are grouped according to political situation and country inscription as follows:

A - Issued during British occupation, inscribed “INDIA” alone

B - Issued during British occupation, inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE”, with or without crown and monogram of the British monarchy

C - Post independence issues, inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE” with Wheel of Ashoka

D - Country name in both Devanagari (

) and English (INDIA)

PO - Special stamps for use in post offices

OO - Special stamps for official government mail

RR - Special stamps for collecting refugee relief postal surcharge

SS - Special stamps for “SPEEDPOST” (a version of Express Mail)

Hyderabad - Special stamp used in the state of Hyderabad only

Five native companies have produced postage meters used in India: Kilburn, Republic Engineering, Armcess Engineers, Business Form (?), and Kelvinator.

GROUP A: Country name “INDIA” alone

A1. Automatic Franking Machine Co., (aka Moss, New Zealand), Model “D” (FV-5), 1922.

Small upright frank with single-line border.

Inscribed “POSTAGE/PAID” at top.

Without TM or slogan.

Meter numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4 within circle at center.

Earliest known date of use is 7 March 1922. Last known date of use is 19 September 1923.

Values: HALF ANNA ONE ANNA [$650 on cover]

NOTE: These Moss meters were capable of printing additional values of FOUR ANNAS, EIGHT ANNAS, and ONE RUPEE but examples, other than proofs, are not known to exist. Proof sheets showing all five values can be found. Value $500.

GROUP B: British occupation period, inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE”

Found both with and without crown and monogram of the British monarchy

B1. Universal “NZ” (FV-1/-6), 1923.

Frank with single, simulated-perforation border.

Country inscription in panel at top, value in “ANNA/S” OR "RUPEE/S" in panel at bottom.

Small meter number in center.

License numbers 1 through 66 plus X1, X2, and X3 (not all numbers known used, see NOTE below)

Hexagonal TM in black with inscriptions in one four formats:

1 : mailer’s identification at top, license number at bottom.

2 : Postal Circle (region) at top, license number at bottom.

3 : blank at top, "CTL" (Calcutta Temporary License) at bottom.

4 : Post Office name at top, mailer's identification and License number at bottom.

A. TM narrow, 30-31 mm wide. Found with formats 1, 2 and 3 [$40]

B. TM narrow, thick, double-lined 28-29 mm. Format 1 only [$75]

C. TM wide to very wide, 37-44 mm. Format 4 only [$40]

D. As B but wide. Format 4 only [$75]

Values: ½, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8a

Value: ONE RUPEE [one example known, value uncertain]

Value: ONE AND HALF RUPEES [one cover known with two stamps, value uncertain] (this stamp appears to have HALF mispelled as HALP. See image at top right.)

a. Temporary license number with "C.T.L." prefix (Calcutta Temporary License) identify machines loaned to the mailer while his machine is under repair. [Add $20]

b. Official Business (military) meter. Town mark type C4 with "NORTHERN COMMAND" at top, "H.S.N.C./L-8" at bottom. [$125]

NOTE. License numbers X1, X2, and X3 are known as proofs and may have been used. The "X" may identify a loaner (relief) machine. [Quite rare, value uncertain]

B2. Neopost (FV-2/3/6), 1928.

Upright frank with simulated perforation border and fancy rope- or vine-like scrollwork ornamentation.

Large circle in center contains crown and monogram of the British monarch.

“ANNAS” or “RUPEES” repeated in small panels at sides of value figure at bottom.

Frame line is unbroken at bottom.

Frank without M#.

TM: DC, SC, BIC

Values in “ANNAS”: ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 4½, 6, 8 [$15]

Values in “RUPEE”: ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 2, 3, 8, 11 [$30]

a. With “PRISONER OF WAR CAMP” in the TM [$250]

b. Used in Burma. TM with “RANGOON” and license number with “R” prefix [$40]

c. Relief machine: TM solid (unengraved) [Seems to be rare, value uncertain]

d. Relief machine: TM BIC with two short arcs flanking a space at bottom. One machine used in Calcutta. V/F: 1¼ and 2 annas seen [Quite rare, value uncertain]

e. TM contains user's name at top and license number at bottom, no town name ("I.E.E. Co.", "W.J.& CO." seen) [Rare, value uncertain]

B3. Neopost (FV-2/3/6). [$40]

As Type B2 but with large “R” above “RUPEE” in lower corners.

TM: DC, SC, BIC

Values: ½, 1, 2

B4. Neopost (LV-6), 1932.

As Type B2 but bottom frame line is broken in two small spots at sides of value figure.

With “ANNAS” or “RUPEES” in small panels at sides of the value figure.

TM: DC, SC or BIC

Values in “ANNAS”: ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 1¾, 2, 2¼, 2½, 3, 3½, 3¾, 4, 4¼, 4½, 5, 5½, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18 [$5]

Values in “RUPEE”: ¼, ½, 1, 2, 3, 3¾, 5 [$20]

Values in “RUPEE”: 11 [$50]

a. Stamp from relief machine, with “XX.XX” or "X.X.X." in TM [$20]

B5. Neopost (LV-6).

As Type B4 but with large “R” above “RUPEE” in lower corners.

TM: DC, SC, BIC

Values: ⅛, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 5, 6 [$5]

Values: 7, 8, 10, 15, 20 [$20]

a. Stamp from relief machine, with “XX.XX” or "X.X.X." in TM [$20]

B6. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1946. [$15]

Upright frank with large, flat-bottomed circle containing value figures in center.

Crown and monogram at bottom.

M# with “U” prefix in small boxes in lower corners.

A. Frank, 26 x 29 mm, M#s U1 to U42

B. Large frank, 28-29 x 32 mm, M#s U43 up

TM: DC

V/F:

00 (Oval) 00–

0.0

0.oo

V/F:

00 (Angular) [$50]

GROUP C: Post independence issues, inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE” with Wheel of Ashoka

Sub-group CA: Wheel of Ashoka above value figures

CA1. Neopost (LV-6/-8), 1949.

Large Wheel of Ashoka in center of frank with value in slot at bottom center.

Large “A” over “ANNAS” or “R” over “RUPEES” at each side of value.

TM: DC, SC, or BIC

A. Inner circle of Wheel of Ashoka made up of dots

B. Inner circle of Wheel of Ashoka a continuous line

Values in ANNAS: ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 4½, 5, 5½, 6, 10

8, 9, 14, 12, 16, 18, 24 [$10]

Values in RUPEES: ⅛, ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 3, 4, 4½, 5, 8, 10

7/8 , 25 [$20]

Values in decimalized RUPEES (as 0.oo):

0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.13, 0.15, 0.18, 0.19,

0.20, 0.21, 0.25, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65,

0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.25,

1.50, 2.00, 3.00, 3.75, 4.00, 5.00, 6.00, 10.00, 12.00 [$10]

0.72, 50.00, 100.00 [$25]

a. Stamp from relief machine, with “X.X.X.” or “XXX” in TM [$25]

b. Post Office Stamp. TM with “P.O. COUNTER” at bottom [$25]

CA2. Neopost (LV-6/-8). [$25]

As Type CA1 but with large “A” above “RUPEES” in the lower corners.

TM: DC, SC, or BIC

Values seen: 0.15, 0.25, 1.00, 1.25

CA3. Republic Engineering “Stampmaster” (LV-16), 1957. [$250]

With “R·A·P” directly below Wheel of Ashoka.

One machine only, C-1460, used by the manufacturer prior to introduction of new currency.

TM: DC

Value seen: 0 ▬ 2 ▬ 0

CA4. Republic Engineering “Stampmaster” and "Reco" (LV-12/-16/-20), 1957.

Similar to Type CA3 but without “R·A·P” and Wheel of Ashoka is smaller.

“Rs.” precedes value figures.

Key letter in box at lower right.

A. Key letter “S” boxed at lower right

B. Key letter “R” boxed at lower right

C. Key letter “P” boxed at lower right

D. Without key letter at lower right [$25]

TM: DC, SC

Values: 0·00, 0·02, 0·03, 0·05, 0·10, 0·13, 0·15, 0·20, 0·25, 0·30, 0·35, 0·40, 0·50, 0·55, 0·65, 0·70, 0·75, 0·90, 1·00, 2·00, 3·00, 4·00, 5·00, 10·00, 12·00, 15·00, 20·00, 25·00, 40·00

a. With “R” instead of “Rs.” at left of value figures

CA5. Pitney Bowes “5300” (MV), 1972. [$10]

Horizontal frank with Wheel of Ashoka right of “INDIA” at top.

“POSTAGE” and “RUPEES” vertical in panels at sides.

M# with “P.B.” prefix low between TM and frank.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

NOTE: The meter number and prefix are found in two different sizes and can vary in distance from the frank.

Sub-group CB: Value figures above Wheel of Ashoka

CB1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1949.

Large frank with Wheel of Ashoka at bottom between prefix and meter number.

Value figures thicker at sides than at top and bottom.

M# prefwith “U” prefix.

With “ANNAS” or “RUPEES” beneath top panel.

Numbers U1 up.

A. TM and frank on same level

B. TM lower than frank

TM: DC, SC

V/F in “ANNAS”:

0– 00.o 00– (O)

0.o

0.0 000 000.o

00.oo 000– (possibly

00–)

V/F in “RUPEES”: 0oo 0.oo 00oo 00.oo

a. Solid block replacing meter number at lower right

b. Solid blocks in both corners

c. Angular value figures, Meter U1 only: 00– [$10]

CB2. Universal “Simplex” (LV-25), 1951.

Similar to Universal types, but smaller frank and vertical lines at each side.

"ANNAS” or “RUPEES” beneath top panel.

M# prefix “S” at lower left and M# at lower right.

TM: DC

Value in “ANNAS”: ¼ to 24

Value in “RUPEES”: 0.01 to 0.24, plus 0.35, 0.48, 0.50, 0.90, 1.00, 1.05 and 1.20 seen

a. Solid block instead of M# at right

b. Solid blocks in both corners

CB3. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV), 1957.

Similar to Type CB1A but M# with “RN” prefix.

The spacing between the TM and frank is variable.

A. With meter number [$15]

B. Solid block or two parallel lines replacing meter number at right [$10]

TM: DC or SC

V/F: 0·00

a. Without "RUPEES" above the value figures

CB4. Universal “Automax” (MV), 1957.

Similar to Type CB1 but value figures are of uniform thickness.

Solid blocks in both lower corners.

A. "RUPEES" above value figures, TM and frank at same level

B. "RUPEES" above value figures, TM lower than frank

C. TM lower than frank but without "RUPEES" (shown) [$20]

TM: DC

V/F: =0.oo =00.oo

CB5. Kilburn (MV), 1970.

Frank with panels at left and right each containing a single vertical line.

With unengraved block at lower left and large “K” at lower right.

TM: DC.

V/F: 0.00 00.00

a. Used without TM as revalue stamp for postal stationery [$10]

b. Post Office stamp: name of post office at top, town and post code at bottom

CB6. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$120]

“INDIA POSTAGE” in bold letters.

M# with “PB” prefix at lower left and number at lower right, flanking Wheel of Ashoka.

One machine known, P.B. 232.

TM: DC

V/F: =0.oo

CB7. M/S Business Forms Ltd. “Postmeter” (MV), 1977. [$100]

Frank nearly square, with “P” at lower left and unengraved box at lower right.

Narrow spacing between TM and frank.

Date figures tall.

TM: DC

V/F: 0•00

NOTE: This stamp was in use for less than one year.

CB8. Kilburn “K999” (MV), 1977. [$70]

Similar to Type CB5, but panels at left and right contain text in Devanagri.

Solid block at bottom left and “K” at bottom right.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00 00.00

CB9. Universal "MultiValue" (MV). [$250]

Similar to Type CB1A but with "INDIA POSTAGE" in Devanagari text (

) below the English inscription at top.

"RUPEES" reads down at right, and its equivalent in Devanagari is at left.

One meter known, U112.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.oo

GROUP D: Country name in both Devanagari () and English

Sub-group DA: Devanagari at left, English at right: INDIA

DA1. Armcess Engineers “Mini” and “Deci” (LV-?).

Similar to Type CA1 but with large “A” above “RUPEE” at lower right and “large

” above Devanagari text at lower left.

TM: DC

Values seen: 0.05, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.35, 0.55, 1.00, 1.10, 1.15, 1.25, 2.00, 2.50 with or without simulated perforations at bottom

a. TM with flat bottom inner circle [$40]

b. TM, large with three rings instead of two [$10]

DA2. Kilburn (MV), 1982.

Frank with single wavy line frame line with “RUPEES” beneath country name at top.

Unengraved block at lower left and boxed “K” at lower right with Wheel of Ashoka between.

TM: DC, SC

V/F: 0.00 ≋0.00 00.oo 00.00

a. Used without TM as revalue stamp for postal stationery

b. Official use, with “SERVICE” in the TM

c. Self-service, coin-operated vending machine stamp. One meter used in a live test in April 1996. Can be identified only by the dateless TM containing “PARLIAMENT STREET H.O.” at bottom [$300]

d. Post Office stamp: town mark contains name of post office and post code only, without a mailer's identification

e. Express Mail stamp: town mark contains "SPEED POST"

f. Similar to 'a' but used with TM as postage on postal stationery sold over-the-counter at post offices

h. Very small date and value figures

DA3. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV), 1986.

Very similar to Type DA2 but with boxed “H” at lower left or right.

TM: DC

A. “H” at lower right, M# at lower left

B. “H” at right, unengraved block at left

C. “H” at right, “E” (for ‘electronic’) at left

D. Unengraved block at right, “H” at left

V/F: 00.00 000.00

a. As B, with large “E” floating at left of “RUPEES” [$20]

b. As B, with large “E” floating at right of “RUPEES” [$20]

c. With huge fixed “.00” at right [$20]

d. Post Office stamp: town mark contains name of post office and postal code only, without a mailer's identification

NOTE: This stamp was used in post offices from 1986 but was not used privately until 1994.

DA4. Republic Engineering “Reco” (LV-12/-20).

Wheel of Ashoka beneath country name in panel at top.

Value figure preceded by “Rs”.

A. Key letter “S” boxed at lower right

B. Key letter “R”

C. Key letter “P”

TM: large SC

Values: 0·05, 0·10, 0·15, 0·20, 0·25, 0·30, 0·35, 0·40, 0·50, 0·55, 0·70, 0·90, 1·00, 2·00, 4·00, 5·00, 10·00, 12·00, 15·00, 20·00, 25·00, 40·00

DA5. Republic Engineering “Reco” (LV-16).

Similar to Type DA4B but with Dvanagri characters above and within box at lower left.

“Rs.” above box at lower right.

TM: DC

Values seen: 0·05, 0·25, 0·50, 1·00, 2·00, 2·30, 3·00, 3·20, 6·00, 10·00

DA6. Neopost “305” (MV), 1965. [$10]

Frame lines and country inscription are heavy.

Wheel of Asoka at bottom center.

“Rs” in small box at upper right, “R” in box at lower right.

Devanagri text in boxes at upper and lower left.

TM: DC

V/F: 0·00

DA7. Republic Engineering “Stampmaster” (MV), 1965. [$10]

Quite similar to Type DA6 but smaller frank, and date figures are more irregular.

A. Characters in upper corners below top panel are boxed

B. Characters in upper corners below top panel are not boxed (shown)

TM: DC

V/F: 0·00 00·00

DA8. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Frank wider than tall with single, simulated-perforation outer border.

Wheel of Ashoka between country names at top.

With “E” (for ‘electronic’) at lower left.

M# with “SC” prefix at bottom center.

A. Boxed “E” at lower left

B. Floating “E” at lower left

C. Floating “E” at lower right

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00 ≋00.00

DA9. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

“RUPEES” under country name at top.

Wheel of Ashoka at bottom center flanked by unengraved block at left and boxed “R” at right.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

NOTE: The status of this stamp is uncertain. It may be an essay rather than a frank from an issued meter.

DA10. Francotyp-Postalia “JetMail” ? (digital).

Large Wheel of Ashoka at top between country names.

M# at bottom with “E FP.” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 00.00

DA11. Neopost "IJ25, IJ40, IJ50, IJ70, IJ80, IJ90, IJ110" and possibly newer models (digital).

India Post refers to this type of franking as Remotely Managed Franking Machines.

Frameless design with horizontal 2D barcode at left below three lines of code, as follows:

* Abbreviation for the mail service provided

* Post office identification, date

* Check (verification) code, transaction number

M# with "N" prefix at bottom right.

Printed in blue.

A. With "Rs." at left of value figures

B. With rupee symbol "

" left of value figures

TM: nil

V/F: 0.00 00.00 000.00

DA12. Pitney Bowes "DM100i, DM130i, DM140i" and possibly newer models (digital).

As Type DA11 but meter number with "P" prefix.

Printed in blue or dark blue.

TM: nil

A. With "Rs." at left of value figures

B. With rupee symbol "

" left of value figures

V/F: 0.00 00.00 000.00

a. Date and transaction number left justified.

b. Date and transaction number right justified.

DA13. Francotyp Postalia "Ultimail 30, Ultimail 60, Ultimail 90" (digital).

As DA11 and DA12 but meter number with "F" prefix.

Sub-group DB: English at left, Devanagari at right: INDIA

DB1. Republic Engineering “Reco” (LV-16), 1965.

As Type DA8 but with revised country inscription.

A. With “R” boxed at lower right

B. With “S” boxed at lower right

TM: Large SC with boxed date

Values seen: 0·15, 0·20, 0·40, 0·65, 1·00, 2·00

DB2. Republic Engineering “Vishwa” (MV), 1979. [$20]

Tall frank with “Rs” and “P” beneath panel at top.

M# with “V” prefix in box at lower left and number in box at lower right and Wheel of Ashoka between.

TM: DC with boxed date

V/F: 00.00

Sub-group DC: English at top, Devanagari at bottom: INDIA /

DC1. Pitney Bowes “A900/B900” (MV), 1994.

Horizontal frank with Wheel of Ashoka at top left.

M# with “PB No” prefix at bottom left (099 and 0095 seen).

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

DC2. Pitney Bowes “A900/B900” (MV).

As Type DC1 but the meter number is in the lower right corner and a boxed "E" is in the lower left corner.

A. M# with "PB No" prefix (A900).

B. M# with "PBB N^o" prefix (B900).

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00 ≋00.00

DC3. Pitney Bowes “PersonalPost”.

Frank printed by ink jet method which leaves telltale horizontal tracks within the frank.

The meter number is in the lower right corner and a boxed "E" is in the lower left corner.

Two columns of stacked numbers left of TM.

M# with "PB G" prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 000.00

GROUP PO: Special stamps generated only by meters in post offices

NOTE: For other post office stamps, see Types CA1b, CB5b and DA3d.

Sub-group PO-A: Stamps with framed franks

PO-A1. Satas “P” (MV), 1965. [$30]

Inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE” in top panel.

“RUPEES/Rs nP” above value figures and small Wheel of Asoka at bottom.

Hour figure between TM and frank.

TM: SC or with no outer ring and solid at center except for cutout for date.

V/F: ★0.oo

PO-A2. Francotyp “Taxograph” (MV), 1965. [$10]

Wheel of Ashoka overlaps bottom frame lines.

Registration number with large, narrow “R” between TM and frank.

M# between R# and frame line.

TM: DC

V/F: ◇00,oo

NOTE: Receipts (shown at right) are identical to the stamp except the frank frame is removed.

PO-A3. Kilburn “K99” (MV), 1978. [$150]

“POSTAGE·INDIA” at top, “RUPEES” vertical at both sides.

Solid block at lower left and boxed “K” at lower right.

TM: DC with “P.O. COUNTER” at bottom

V/F: 0.00

NOTE: The meter producing this stamp was originally an Official use meter Type OO1 that had “SERVICE” removed from the top. It was probably diverted for relief duty. One known.

PO-A3.1. Kelvinator “Registrex” (MV). [$25]

Printed in violet through a ribbon on a rectangular label, both white and tan labels seen.

Frank has horizontal orientation.

Inscribed “INDIA POSTAGE” at top.

M# with two letter prefix at lower left, "RP" and "HD" seen.

TM: SL with post office identification at top, date and 4-digit (registration?) number at center, and “REGD. LETTER” at bottom.

The date figures have Roman numeral month vertical reading up between the day and year figures.

V/F: 000.00

PO-A4. Kelvinator “Registrex” (MV). [$10]

As Type PO-A3.1 but frank has vertical orientation.

“INDIA POSTAGE” in panel at top with Wheel of Ashoka/”Rs.” immediately below.

Blank at bottom.

A. With double circle around date with redundant post office name between the circles

B. Without the double circles around date but with horizontal lines above and below the number at right of date. Without ID letters

TM: SL with post office identification at top, date and number (transaction counter?) at center, and ID letters at bottom

V/F: 000.00

Sub-group PO-B: Stamps without outer borders

NOTE: Most of the collector demand for these stamps is in India. Stamps with a foreign destination showing are scarcer and have a value about double that of domestic destination stamps.

PO-B1. Indian-developed PO counter system (digital).

Printed on plain white rectangular label.

Frank in three horizontal sections separated by thick bars made up of small dots.

Top segment contains Post Office ID and registration data.

Middle segment contains “INDIA POSTAGE”, date and postage.

Bottom segment contains insurance data and destination above “STAMP AFFIXED” value of any stamps applied to the mail piece prior to bringing it to the post office.

V/F: Rs. 00.00

PO-B2. Indian-developed PO counter system (digital).

Similar to Type PO-B1 but data in segments is slightly different and the separators are different.

Top segment contains Post Office ID (and class of mail) and registration data.

Middle segment contains “INDIA POSTAGE”, date, time and postage.

Bottom segment contains “P-STAMP” and value of any stamps applied to the mail piece prior to bringing it to the post office, insurance data and destination.

A. Frank segments separated by line of tildes (~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~)

B. Frank segments separated by line of small solid squares (■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■)

V/F: Rs. 00.00 (or "NULL" if pre-affixed postage is adequate)

NOTE: For Types PO-B3, -B4, -B5, -B7, -B8, -B10, -B11, and possibly other digital Post Office stamp types, the label can be an actual postage stamp or simply a label providing tracking and accounting information. If it is a postage stamp the value figures are preceded by Amount, AMT, or Amt. For items with postage pre-paid the value figures are preceded by Affixed, PS (pre-stamped), PrePS, or PreFM (pre-stamped by [different] franking machine).

PO-B3. Postal Training Centre of Mysore "Meghdoot" (digital).

Similar to Types PO-B1 and –B2 but data and separators are different.

Separators are rows of hash marks (#######).

Printed on labels with red India Post logo.

Top segment contains Post Office ID (and class of mail) and post office counter ID.

Middle segment contains “INDIA POSTAGE” and postage.

Bottom segment contains date, time, weight and destination.

A: India Post logo at right (shown)

B: India Post logo at left

V/F: Rs(000)0.00 Rs(ØØØ)Ø.ØØ

V/F (mail with partial amount prepaid): PrePS:Rs(ØØØ)Ø.ØØ,Amount:Rs(ØØØ)Ø.ØØ

PO-B4. Indian developed PO counter system (digital), 1991.

Printed on rectangular label with India Post logo, similar to Type PO-B3..

Text from top down reads:

* “INDIA POST”

* Post Office ID

* date and time

* variable characters of uncertain purpose

* “MO Amt :” and destination

* “Insured :”

* “Affixed :”

* * weight

* “Collected : Rs.”

* signature line

A. INDIA POST logo 20 mm wide (shown)

B. Smaller INDIA POST logo, 17 mm wide

V/F: Rs. Ø.ØØ (and ØØ.ØØ?)

PO-B5. Indian developed PO counter system (digital), 1991.

Similar to Type PO-B4 but with less text.

From the top:

* Post Office ID and class of mail

* destination

* “INS FOR RS. (amount) P-STAMP RS. (amount)

* postage, weight, date and time

V/F: ØØ.ØØ

PO-B6. Postal Training Centre of Mysore “Meghdoot” (digital), 1999.

As Type PO-B5 but text is separated into blocks with a line of symbols.

At top, Post Office ID and class of mail and/or registration data.

At bottom, “INDIA POSTAGE”, date, time and postage, with or without weight.

A. Frank segments separated by line of tildes (~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~)

B. Frank segments separated by line of small solid squares (■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■)

V/F: Rs. 00.00 Rs. ØØ.ØØ "NULL" (if pre-affixed postage is adequate)

PO-B7. Postal Training Centre of Mysore “Meghdoot” (digital), 1999.

Without separators, as with Types PO-B4 and PO-B5.

Text from top down:

* postage amount, date, time

* Post Office ID

* mail classification

* Clerk ID

* destination

* origin

* weight

* tax (surcharge?)

* postage, date and time repeated (The bottom two elements are also found reversed)

The country name is present only in the preprinted “INDIA POST” logo

V/F: Rs(000)0.00 Rs(ØØØ)Ø.ØØ

a. With slogan added after the postage amount or elsewhere near the bottom

PO-B8. Postal Training Centre of Mysore “Meghdoot” (digital), 1999.

Inscriptions and separators as with Type PO-B3B but with commemorative "INDIA POST" logo at left celebrating 150 years of the India postal system.

V/F: Rs(000)0.00

PO-B9. Keithly Instruments/Micronic Devices “Multi Purpose Exchequer” (digital), 2001. [$10]

“INDIA POSTAGE” at top followed by Post Office ID, date, town and postage.

At bottom are country name in Devanagari flanked by three down-pointing chevrons at the sides.

Three outward-pointing chevrons also at the ends of the interior lines of text.

V/F: RS. (00)0.00

a. With “RGL” and number left of date in center line, used for Registered Mail

NOTE: This stamp is also used for Speed Post.

PO-B10. Postal Training Centre of Mysore “Meghdoot” (digital), 2009.

As Type PO-B8 but with new bi-color postal logo at upper right.

A. Date and time above weight and destination in two lines at bottom

B. Date, time, and weight in single line at bottom, without destination ("To :"...)

C. Weight, date, and time above destination in two lines at bottom

D. Weight and destination in one line at bottom

V/F: Amount:Rs(000)0.00

V/F (mail with partial amount prepaid): Pre:Rs(000)0.00

a. Without "INDIA POSTAGE" above the value figures

b. As A but with PIN: and number following the destination ^♦

c. As b (with PIN: and number), but also with Taxes: and amount before the date ^♦

d. Time shows seconds as well as hours and minutes

e. Label with pre-printed 'India Post' logo reading "Indian Post"

f. Date and time at upper left, out of line

♦ "b" and "c" may be non-postal transactions.

PO-B11. Postal Training Centre of Mysore “Meghdoot” (digital), 2019.

Similar to PO-B10 but the section separators are made of dashes instead of hash marks.

One stamp reported, used on registered mail to a foreign destination. Other stamp formats probably exist for non-registered mail and other types of services.

The center section contains the postage amount, the weight the destination.

The top section contains the registration number, the mail class and origin Post Office, the counter (PO clerk) number, the date and time.

The bottom section is blank.

"INDIA POST" is found only in the red logo and is not printed separately.

V/F seen: Amt:(000)0.00(Cash)

Sub-group PO-C: Stamp for franking telegrams

PO-C1. Anker (MV), 1925 or earlier. [$150]

Frameless straight line frank reading from left as follows:

class (of telegram?) prefix, value figures, impression counter number, date

V/F: −00 − 0 −

GROUP OO: Special stamps used only for government official mail

OO1. Kilburn “K99” and "K999" (MV). [$20]

Frank with simulated perforation outer frame line and straight inner frame line.

Inscribed “SERVICE/POSTAGE•INDIA” at top and “RUPEES” vertical at both sides.

Key letter “K” at lower right, unengraved block at lower left.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00 00.00

OO2. Kilburn “K999” (MV). [$15]

Frank with single wavy outer frame line.

Inscribed with country name in Devanagri and English at top and “SERVICE” vertical at right and Devanagri text at left.

Key letter “K” at lower right, unengraved block at lower left.

TM: DC

V/F: 00.00

OO3. Republic Engineering “Vishwa” (MV). [$100]

Square frank with straight line border and panels at top and sides.

Inscribed “SERVICE” vertical in panel at left and in Devanagri text at right panel.

Key letter “V” in lower left corner with “C at lower right.

Lion capital of Ashoka below value figures.

TM: large SC with date in rectangle

V/F: Rs. 00.00

GROUP RR: Special stamps used to collect refugee relief postal surcharge

Used in 1972 and 1973 only

RR1. Neopost (FV-1). [$50]

“REFUGEE/RELIEF” at top, small Wheel of Ashoka in center, “INDIA” reading down at left, “POSTAGE” reading up at right, “PS” at bottom right.

M# with “B” prefix above postage.

TM: DC or nil

Value: 5

RR2. Neopost (FV-1). [$30]

“REFUGEE RELIEF” in arc above Wheel of Ashoka.

Large “R” over “PAISE” in both lower corners.

TM: DC or nil

Value: 5

RR3. Neopost (LV-6). [$100]

“INDIA POSTAGE” in panel at top with “REFUGEE RELIEF” immediately below.

Devanagari text fills the center. Large “R” over “RUPEE” in both lower corners.

TM: SC or nil

Value: 0.o5

RR4. Universal “Simplex” (LV-21). [$100]

Similar to Type CB2 but with “REFUGEE RELIEF” in top panel.

Without country name in frank.

Blank in both bottom corner blocks.

TM: DC

Value: 0.o5

RR5. Universal “MultiValue” (MV). [$50]

As Type CB1A but with “REFUGEE RELIEF” in top panel.

With “U” at lower left and solid block at lower right.

TM: DC

Value: 00.o5

RR6. Universal “Automax” (MV). [$50]

Similar to RR5 but with “INDIA POSTAGE” in top panel.

"REFUGEE" reading up at left, and "RELIEF" reading down at right.

With “U” at lower left, solid block at lower right.

TM: DC lowered

Value: =0.o5

RR7. Republic Engineering “Reco” (LV-16). [$50]

Similar to Type CA4A but with “REFUGEE” reading up at left and “RELIEF” reading down at right.

Key letter “S”.

TM: DC

Value: Rs. 0•o5

NOTE: Two other Refugee Relief stamp types have been reported but have neither been verified nor seen by us. One is similar to Type RR5 but produced by a Universal “Automax” meter. The other is a Neopost (LV) similar in appearance to Type RR3 but with smaller Devanagari characters.

GROUP SS: Special stamps used for ‘SPEED POST’, a version of express mail

* See also Types DA2e and PO-B9 for "SPEED POST" stamps.

SS1. Kilburn (MV). [$100]

Similar to Type DA2 but with “SPEEDPOST” replacing country name at top.

Key letter “K” at lower right, unengraved block at lower left.

TM: DC

V/F: 00.00

SS2. Kelvinator “Registrex” (digital). [$10]

The stamp is printed on tape and has the appearance of a cash register receipt.

“*** SPEED POST ***” at top above post office name and number.

Through the center are the date and time at left and numbers of unknown purpose at right.

The postage value preceded by “TOTL” is at the bottom.

V/F: 00.00

SS3. Kelvinator “Registrex” (digital). [$5]

Similar to Type SS2 but tall, narrow tape with “EMS======” at top above “SPEEDPOST CENTRE”, town and post code, and receipt number.

Through the center are the date and a tally of services and total postage costs.

Time of day is at the bottom.

This is undoubtedly a cash register receipt, but it is also found on mail used as a stamp.

V/F:

0.00

SS4. Kelvinator “Registrex” (digital). Shown at right

Tall, narrow design similar to Type SS3.

“DEPARTMENT OF POSTS.” at top followed by “SPEED POST/ CENTRE”, town name, phone number, date, destination, weight, postage, ID number and time.

Across the bottom is “HAVE A NICE DAY.”

V/F: 00.00

SS5. Kelvinator “Registrex” (digital). [$10]

Without country inscription or Speed Post identification.

Date at top followed by postage, ID number ("1001" in the example shown) and transaction number (9626).

At bottom is the time of transaction.

V/F: 00.00

NOTE: In 1939 a Universal "MultiValue" meter was commissioned for use to frank local mail in Hyderabad state. The machine was never placed into service. Proofs exist and are quite rare. They generally trade for around $150-200.

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