Gandhi

Service
&
Beyond
Background
The Government of India issued a set of 4 commemorative stamps on
15th August, 1948 - first anniversary of independence as a tribute to the
father of the nation MAHATMA GANDHI (BAPU). These were the first
commemorative stamps of Independent India issued in 4 denominations
– 1 ½ As., 3 ½ As., 12 As. and Rs.10, and incidentally the only set of
stamps printed outside India after independence. COURVOISER S.A.,LA
CHAUX-DE-FONDS of Geneva printed the set.

Quantity
Denomination Colour Printed Plate/Control Number
A1,A3,A4,A5,A6,B1,B3,B4,B5,B6,
1 1/2As Sepia Brown 25,000,000 12,22

3 1/2As Bluish Purple 2,500,000 A1,A2, B1, B2

12As Dark Green 3,750,000 A1,A2, B1, B3

Reddish
10Rs Brown 250,000 A11,B1, B11
Total Nos of Stamps
Prinited 31,500,000
India 1948 Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Stamps Overprinted ‘Service’:
Later on at the instance of some high ranking officials of the Government, very small
quantities of the Gandhi stamps in all the 4 denomination were overprinted
“SERVICE" at Nasik Security Printing Press for the exclusive use on the official
mails of the Secretariat of the Governor General C. Rajagopalachari. Only 100
Stamps of Rs.10 were overprinted SERVICE, making it the most valuable rarity of
George VI era. These issue stands as the most popular issue of Post independent
India and among the philatelic fraternity throughout the world. 10 Rs. Ovpt. ‘Service’
one Full sheet number 033404 is in the National Philatelic Museum and another 10
Rs ovpt. ‘Service’ Single fine mint example have sheet No. 033403 is in the private
collection. These two sheets number confirm only 100 stamps (50 stamp each
sheet) were overprinted ‘Service’.

Quantity Plate/Control
Over Number Imprinted
Denomination Printed in each sheet
(50 Stamps in
1 1/2as 15,950 stamps or 319 sheets a sheet) A4, A6, B6
(50 Stamps in
3 1/2as 1350 stamps or 27 sheets a sheet) A2, B2
(50 Stamps in
12as 250 stamps or 5 sheets a sheet) A1
(50 Stamps in
10 Rs. 100 stamps or 2 sheets a sheet) A11
The Usage
The Director General Post and Telegraph India was supplied one full sheet of
each denomination and a strip of 5 of each for display in the Philately museum.
The block of 4 four of each was supplied to the Royal collection confirmed by
the John Marriot keeper of Royal collection in September 1986.

The multiple mint examples of these issues are known to exist for 1 ½ As. and
12 As only. Multiples Mint examples of 3½ As. not seen. The Rs. 10 Gandhi
‘SERVICE’ is extremely difficult to find as only less than 15 stamp within
Philatelic Fraternity which keeps on changing hand. Shri S. P. Chatterjea, Past
President PCI made a list of Rs. 10. Gandhi ‘Service’ in India and abroad. The
values of these stamps have greatly appreciated in recent years since 1971.
Although the multiples of 1 ½ as denomination are still available but those of
3½ as and 12 as are extremely rare. These multiples naturally carry high
premium on them. The most the Gandhi Service set found in Mint hinged
condition. The unmounted Mint full set of 4 value is the rarest in all..
N SG No. Country Description Condition Cat Cat 2013 Increase Inc %
o 1998

4 150d India 1948 10r Purple Unused 10000 175000 165000 1650%
Brown & Lake
 Price Realized (Including
Date Auction House Item Certification Premium)
3/14/1990 Robson Lowe Rs 10 Service VF LH (Ex: T . D. Barber) RPS 1985
Christie's Robson
3/28/1990 Lowe Lot 1199, 3.5 As unmounted marginal mint, tiny patch of glazed gum RPS 1980 GBP 275
Christie's Robson
3/29/1990 Lowe Lot 1200, 3.5 As fine used, a fraction soiled GBP 110
Superior Stamp &
6/19/1995 Coin 12 As Service VF LH RPS 1985
Superior Stamp &
6/20/1995 Coin Rs 10 Service VF LH (Ex: T . D. Barber) RPS 1985
Christie's Robson
12/13/1995 Lowe Lot 402, 1.5 As Block of 6 with sheet margin at foot Estimate 80-100 GBP
Christie's Robson
12/13/1995 Lowe Lot 403, 1.5 As on official cover Estimate 100-120 GBP
Christie's Robson Lot 404, 1.5 As block of 4, two pairs and eight singles used on separate
12/13/1995 Lowe pieces Estimate 150-180 GBP
Christie's Robson
12/13/1995 Lowe Lot 405, 3.5 As used Estimate 80-100 GBP
Christie's Robson
12/13/1995 Lowe Lot 406, 12 As service horizontal pair on cover to Australia Estimate 2000-2500 GBP
5/6/1998 Spink Lot 544, Rs 10 Service VF LH (Ex: T. D. Barber) RPS 1985 Estimate 10k-12k GBP
Lot 384, 1.5 As, 3.5 As, 12 As, Rs 10 Mint Service all marginal copies
10/18/2001 Spink (Ex P. Gupta) BPA 1997 Estimate 16k-17k GBP
Lot 1142, 1.5 As to Rs10 Service, Rs 10 with small area of soiling in
10/17/2002 Spink lower right corner BPA 1973 Estimate 8k-10k GBP
7/5/2005 Spink 1.5 As, 3.5 As, 12 As used Estimate 300-400 GBP
RPS 1985, BPA 2006
Sep-05 Cherrystone Lot 1807, Rs 10 Mint Service VF LH (Ex: T. D. Barber) (66,530) $16,675
Sep-05 Cherrystone 3.5 As service "strip of 3" with Governor General Camp Cancellation $1,552.50
Rs 10 Mint Service, marginal copy with Sheet number (Pradeep Jain
9/27/2007 Argyll Etkin collection) BPA 2007 (67,733) 21,850 GBP
Lot 60046, 1.5 As, 3.5 As, 12 As, Rs 10 Mint Service all marginal copies
10/5/2007 David Feldman (Ex P. Gupta) BPA 1997 45,600 Euro
12/18/2007 Stanley Gibbons Lot 1073 3.5 As, large part original gum signed Jal Cooper 360 GBP starting bid
12/18/2007 Stanley Gibbons Lot 1166 3.5 As, lightly cancelled BPA 1961 600 GBP starting bid
5/17/2011 David Feldman Rs 10 Mint Service, Unmounted Mint BPA 2011 (77,364) 144,000 Euro
5/17/2011 David Feldman 1.5 As, 3.5 As , 12 As unmount mint BPA 2011 43,200 Euro
6/7/2011 Christoph Gartner 3.5 As Block Used with Governor General Camp Cancellation Pascal Scheller 39,600 Euro
6/18/2011 Aries Auctions 3.5 As, 3 separate stamps used on piece RPS 1989 (148529) 11 Lakhs
6/19/2011 Aries Auctions 3.5 As used BPA 2001 (57,500)
7/13/2011 Spink 3.5 As and 12 As both mint with part original gum BPA 2011 (77549,77550) 11400 GBP
Commonly Found
Latest Findings! Judgment is left to you
Any Queries

Than Q!