Samraat Stamps

This is a historical World War II–era cover (envelope) — a fascinating postal and propaganda artifact:

📨 Details of the Envelope
Postmark: Karachi, April 6, 1943
At that time, Karachi was part of British India (before the 1947 Partition).

Addressee:
Major General J. A. Ulio
Army and Navy Club,
Washington, D.C., USA
— Major General James Alexander Ulio (1882–1958) was Adjutant General of the U.S. Army during World War II, responsible for personnel management and communications.

Stamp:
India Postage – 10 Rupees – King George VI (purple and black).
This was a high-denomination stamp, often used for important or international correspondence.

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🎨 Cartoon Illustration
On the left, there’s a political cartoon showing:
An American bald eagle swooping down and grabbing Adolf Hi**er, who’s clutching the globe.
The caption: “NOT SO FAST, ADOLF!”
This was a WWII propaganda image, symbolizing the United States halting Hi**er’s global ambitions.

Such illustrated envelopes were often called “patriotic covers” or “propaganda covers.” They were popular during the war, combining postal use and morale-boosting art.

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🕰️ Historical Context

The cover dates from 1943, when the Allies were turning the tide of the war against Germany.

Karachi was a key Allied military base and mail transit point.

Sending mail to a high-ranking U.S. general at that time from British India would have been part of official or military correspondence.

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💰 Collectible Value

The combination of:

WWII patriotic artwork,

a 10 Rupees King George VI high-value stamp,

and a 1943 Karachi postmark

makes this item highly collectible among philatelists (stamp collectors) and WWII memorabilia enthusiasts.
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GST UPDATE: IMP
On September 3, 2025, the GST Council, chaired by India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved a major restructuring of the Goods & Services Tax system. The new framework introduces dual rates of 5% and 18%, as well as a 40% bracket for certain super luxury goods and services. These revised rates will take effect from September 22, at which point the compensation cess will also be discontinued. As part of these changes, the previous 12% and 28% tax slabs will be eliminated.

How does this affect philately? The HSN code 9704 covering Postage or revenue stamps, stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper), and the like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907, remains at 5%. However, the HSN code 4907 covering Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps, stamp-impressed paper of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; (in this case India), that was at 12% earlier, and after abolition of the this slab, is at 18% with effect from September 22, 2025...

These are commemorative postage stamps from the Jaipur State in India, issued in 1947 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee (1922–1947) of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the ruler of Jaipur at the time.

Key Features:

Issuer: Jaipur State (a princely state in British India).

Occasion: Silver Jubilee (25 years of rule) of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II.

Year: 1947 (marked "Silver Jubilee 1922–1947").

Design: Each stamp features a portrait of Maharaja Man Singh II and iconic landmarks or symbols of Jaipur, such as:

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)

Jantar Mantar (astronomical instruments)

City Palace

Coat Of Arms

Map Of Jaipur State

Royal Chariot

Denominations: The stamps have values in annas, rupees, and pice (old Indian currency before decimalisation in 1957).

Postmarks: Clearly stamped from Sawai Jaipur, dated 16 SEP 47 (just a month after India's independence).

Philatelic Origin: The envelopes are marked from Bombay Philatelic Co., a well-known stamp dealer located in Fort, Bombay.

Historical and Collectible Value:

These stamps are highly collectible among philatelists, especially those interested in:

Indian princely state issues

Pre-independence Indian postage

Commemorative and jubilee issues

Prior to 1920, it was possible to send children through the US Postal service. However, there were certain conditions that needed to be met.
Firstly, the children had to weigh less than 50 pounds, and stamps were attached to their clothing as a form of payment. Surprisingly, it was often more cost-effective for individuals to send their children via mail rather than opting for train transportation. Interestingly, during the journey, the children would travel on a train, specifically in the mail car, where they were supervised and provided with nourishment by mail clerks.
One remarkable example of this unconventional practice involved a distance of over 700 miles, from Florida to Virginia, covered with a mere 15 cents worth of stamps.

Indian FM had an excellent meeting with DPM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR & he thanked him for the warm hospitality

He witnessed exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for Laos under Mekong Ganga Cooperation and cooperation in sharing successful Digital Solutions.

Also, launched a special stamp set celebrating our shared cultural treasures of Ramayana and Buddhism

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Decimal Coinage India - First Day Of Issue April 01, 1957
In 1957, India shifted to the decimal system, but for a short period both decimal and non-decimal coins were in circulation. To distinguish between the two, the coins minted between 1957 and 1964 have the legend “Naya Paisa” (“new” paisa). The denominations in circulation were 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 paise and 1 rupee.

Decimal System of Currency in India
On April 1, 1957, 10 years after gaining independence from the British, Indian coins became decimal. The decimalization of the pound did not impact its intrinsic worth. The history of modern coinage in India is just around 200 years old, even though coins have been used as units of value for money for about 500 years.

The East India Company, the forerunner of the British Raj, has a fascinating history with amusing elements. India kept using the outdated non-decimal currency even after the British withdrew after gaining independence in 1947. In 1957, India adopted the decimal system. A little over two years earlier, in 1955, legislative efforts were launched to ease the decimal system transition.
In September 1955, the Indian Coinage Act was revised to include the decimal system.
Before decimalization, the first decimal coins, the five and ten pence (5p and 10p), were released in 1968 to acquaint the general public with the new system.
The coins that are now in circulation in India are called “decimal coins.” In contrast to pre-decimal coinage, these coins adhere to the 100 Paise = 1 Rupee formula.

INTRODUCTION OF INA:
Azad Hind Fauj or the India National Army (INA) was first established by Mohan Singh in 1942. It was revived by on October 21, 1943. During the Second World War to secure India’s complete independence from British Raj.
Hence, every year on 21 October, the anniversary of the formation of Azad Hind Government is celebrated across the country.
On this day, India’s first independent provisional government named Azad Hind Government was announced.

FORMATION OF INA:
There were many Indian Revolutionaries working abroad for the country’s cause. Among these was Rashbehari Bose, living as a fugitive from the British since 1915 in Japan
During WW2, he seized the opportunity to mobilise Indians for an armed struggle against the British.
There were a number of Indian soldiers fighting on behalf of the British
The Japanese after defeating British in South East Asia, persuaded captain Mohan Singh to work in collaboration with the Japanese for India’s freedom.
In 1942, a conference of Indians was held in Tokyo, and they formed the Indian Independence league
This was followed by conference in Bangkok (June 1942), where Rashbehari Bose was elected president of the league and a decision was taken to raise the Indian National Army
Captain Mohan Singh was appointed the commander of the INA, which had about 40,000 Indian soldiers
This conference invited Bose to lead the movement.
Earlier, Bose had escaped from India in 1941 to Berlin. In June, 1943 he came to Tokyo and then Indian joined the INA at Singapore.
Rashbehari Bose handed over the leadership to Subhas Bose, and an Azad Hind Sarkar was formed.
Later, In November, 1943 the Japanese announced their decision to hand over the administration of Andamans and Nicobar islands to the INA
Thus, started the heroic struggle of the INA for India’s independence.

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