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Auction: 22017 - Jewels of India
Lot: 33

India
1948 First Anniversary of Independence Gandhi Issue
Official "service" Overprints
The Largest Surviving Unused Multiple
To be offered as two separate blocks of four, and subsequently in its current state as a block of eight.
12a. grey-green block of eight (4x2), original patchy gum resulting from backing adhesion as is to be expected though apparently remaining unmounted, lower left stamp with barely perceptible thin spot. Unique and of utmost importance. B.P.A. Certificate (2015). S.G. O150c, £200,000

Notes: In a movement towards national pride, Governor General of India, C. Rajagopalachari insisted on using post Independence stamps as opposed to surplus from British administration. The Service set was thus brought into issue for use on the official mail of the Secretariat of the Governor General.

Jal Cooper records that only 250 stamps were printed over 5 sheets, most of which were used and few multiples remain. The Director General Post and Telegraph India was supplied with full sheets and strips of five of each value for display in the Philatelic Museum.

As illustrated in Pradip Jain's "Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Issue of 1948". Spink are grateful to this publication for its wealth of knowledge.

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