150th Birth Anniversary of Heinrich von Stephan (1831-1897)
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | April 8, 1981 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 1 |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 14½ x 14 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Blue | Brown |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 865 Stamp Number IN 902 Yvert et Tellier IN 666 Stanley Gibbons IN 1002 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Famous people | Men | Postal Unions |
Heinrich von Stephan was born on January 7, 1831, in Pomerania. After completing his schooling, he entered the Prussian postal service at the age of 17. His career progressed swiftly, and he soon found himself in Cologne, a key hub for postal services between Germany, Western Europe, and transoceanic countries. From Cologne, he advanced to the highest postal administrative body in Prussia, located in Berlin. In 1870, upon the vacancy of the position of General Post Director—the head of the postal administration in Germany—von Stephan was selected for the role due to his extensive reputation and outstanding abilities.
Following the Franco-German War, von Stephan embarked on the greatest task of his life: the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). As early as 1869, the government of the North German Federation had begun negotiations with the French government to convene a postal congress. The goal was to discuss the uniformity of postal relations among European states and the formation of a general postal union. However, it wasn’t until July 1, 1873, that the German government presented a draft of a general post convention, prepared by von Stephan, to the governments of Europe and Washington.
On September 15, 1874, a congress with representatives from 22 states across both hemispheres convened in the historic building of the National Senate in Berne, Switzerland. The congress appointed von Stephan as the chairman of the commission established to examine the draft conventions. Thanks to his initiative, diplomatic skill, and intimate knowledge of postal matters, the General Postal Convention was signed within a brief period of 24 days on October 9, 1874, leading to the establishment of the “General Postal Union.”
Von Stephan dedicated the remainder of his life to expanding the UPU, as it was later known. He prioritized the unity of the UPU, using his eloquence, the warmth of his conviction, and the force of his arguments to resolve disputes and set aside insignificant objections and secondary matters. Heinrich von Stephan passed away on April 8, 1897.
The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp in his honor.
(Text courtesy of U.P.U.)