Scarlet Schinde Dawks of 1852

The First Asian International Stamp Exhibition, ASIANA-77, is scheduled to take place from October 19 to 23, 1977. Organized by the Philatelic Congress of India, with support from the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department and the Government of Karnataka, this exhibition is exclusively for Asian and Australasian countries. It is under the patronage of the Inter-Asia Philatelic Federation (FIAP), the Asian chapter of the Federation Internationale de Philatelic (FIP).

FIP, founded in 1926 by representatives from seven European countries, aims to safeguard the interests of stamp collectors internationally. Nearly all national philatelic federations are affiliated with FIP, which has established standards and rules for international exhibitions. They have also categorized stamp issues as harmful, improper, or undesirable, banning them from display at international exhibitions.

FIAP, established in 1975, aims to strengthen philatelic activities among Asian and Australasian countries. ASIANA-77 marks a significant milestone in India’s philatelic history, as it hosts the inaugural Asian International Stamp Exhibition. Rare stamps will be on display for the first time in India, attracting a strong response from both competitive and non-competitive groups.

This exhibition provides an opportunity for stamp enthusiasts in India to view prize-winning exhibits from around the world in one place. To commemorate ASIANA-77, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is issuing two special postage stamps. The Re. 1 denomination features a pair of the famed Red Scinde Dawks of 1852, the first stamps in Asia. The Rs. 3 denomination depicts foreign mail arriving at Ballard Pier in Bombay in 1927, adapted from a photograph in the Annual Report of the Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department for the year 1926-27.