“Lion and Palm” Trial Design, 1853
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Inpex '77 Philatelic Exhibition, Bangalore |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | October 12, 1977 |
| Denomination | Rs.2 |
| Quantity | 2000000 |
| Perforation | comb 13½ x 14 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 733 Stamp Number IN 769 Yvert et Tellier IN 533 Stanley Gibbons IN 860 |
| Themes | Animals (Fauna) | Lions | Mammals | Palm-trees | Philatelic Exhibitions | Stamps | |
The India National Philatelic Exhibition (INPEX -77), organized by the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department from October 12 to 16, 1977, in Bangalore, is the third of its kind, following the first in New Delhi (1970) and the second in Calcutta (1975). India has also hosted two International Philatelic Exhibitions in 1954 and 1973, in addition to numerous Philatelic Exhibitions at the State and District levels across various Postal Circles. These exhibitions have played a significant role in generating interest in the educative hobby of philately, especially among the younger generation.
The exhibition, with a capacity of 1,000 frames, will showcase rare and outstanding collections from the country. To commemorate the Third India National Philatelic Exhibition on October 12, 1977, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is issuing two postage stamps.
The stamp with a denomination of Rs. 2 features a reproduction of the famous ‘Lion & Palm Tree’ design, which was never utilized. This design, one of two essays prepared at the Calcutta Mint in 1853, was roughly copied from Wyon’s design for the Gold Mohur. A die of this design was engraved, and experiments were conducted at the Mint to produce embossed stamps. The stamp reproduces one of the color trials from die II of this design, displayed in the National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi.
The stamp with a denomination of 25 paise depicts an early Postman of Punjab, based on a photograph from ‘History of the Post Office’ by I Hamilton.