• Commemorative Stamp
• 29 May 1948

Air-India International 

On May 29, 1948, India Post issued a historic 12 Annas commemorative stamp to celebrate the inauguration of Air-India International and its upcoming maiden international flight. Though the stamp was released in late May, it was issued in anticipation of the official launch date on June 8, 1948, when the Lockheed L-749 Constellation aircraft, named Malabar Princess (registration VT-CQP), took off from Bombay (now Mumbai) for London via Cairo and Geneva. This iconic issue holds a legendary status in philatelic history as India's very first commemorative stamp issued after achieving independence in August 1947. The stamp's elegant design features a sleek, stylized depiction of a Lockheed Constellation in full flight, symbolizing speed, modernity, and the soaring ambitions of a young, newly independent nation. Above the aircraft, the words "First International Flight" are proudly inscribed, marking the moment India officially connected its wings to the global stage. The launch of Air-India International—spearheaded by the legendary aviator and visionary J.R.D. Tata—was a monumental milestone in civil aviation. It proved that the nascent Indian republic possessed the technical capability, ambition, and sophistication to operate a world-class international airline. For the inaugural flight, special "First Day Covers" and carried covers were flown aboard the Malabar Princess, which today remain some of the most sought-after and prized items for aerophilatelists and collectors of postal history worldwide. This 12 Annas stamp stands as a timeless testament to a golden era of aviation, capturing the spirit of progress, global communication, and national pride that defined the early years of modern India.