Asian Games – Mascot and Hockey Players

Appu and hockey, for the Asian Games.

Technical data Notes 1 Condition

Date of issue July 28, 1981

Denomination Rs. 1

Quantity printed 2000000

Printer Security Printing Press, Nashik

Perforation comb 13½ x 13

Watermark No Watermark

Colours Multicolor

Printing process Photogravure

Credit M. Chaudhury

Catalogue codes Michel IN 875 Stamp Number IN 928 Yvert et Tellier IN 677 Stanley Gibbons IN 1013

Themes Elephants, Hockey, Seals(Emblems), Sports, Stylized Figures / Persons

Notes

Notes from collectors

Jaspreet Kaur November 11, 2026

I'm not certain of this stamp's date. India Post's list has one IX Asian Games stamp on 28 July 1981 and another on 1 September 1981, but doesn't say which is which. Other stamp websites and the catalogues give 28 July for both this stamp and the logo stamp, so I've used 28 July. A dated first day cover would settle it. If you have one, please leave a note.

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About this stamp

On the Stamp

Appu, the elephant mascot of the Games, beside stylised hockey players in streaks of rainbow colour, with the words “IX Asian Games Delhi 1982” in Hindi and English, on a ₹1 stamp.

The Mascot and Hockey

India Post issued two ₹1 stamps on 28 July 1981, the first of its issues for the IX Asian Games, held at Delhi in November and December 1982. Appu, a young elephant, was the mascot of the Games, and hockey, India’s great sport, was among the events. The first Asian Games had been held at New Delhi in 1951. India Post’s brochure for this issue is not online, so this text draws on Wikipedia and on the stamp itself.