India : Stamps That Never Were.

1892 1/2a maroon 'stamp', printed from a single die on thin gummed paper, based on the
design of the 1/4a QV postcard stamp, but discreetly inscribed 'WORLD EMPER(OR)'
and with the portrait of its engraver and perpetrator Cothundarama Naidu, self-styled
'Emperor of the Universe and Governor of the World'.

He used examples on letters to the Governor of Madras and of others and was charged at
Madras in April 1892 with counterfeiting Government postage stamps, but acquitted as
being of unsound mind.

A fascinating and very rare item, with typewritten extract from F. J. Melville 'Phantom
Philately' pp 115-6. A used example was sold for £160 in 1983 (CRL 13/9/83 lot 633),
but we have never previously had the pleasure of offering one.





acknowledgement: stanley gibbons advert 2010

The icons above the Emperor's head
share a similarity with those of Cochin.

Robson Lowe (Encylopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps) doesn't mention this one, nor does the archive of the India Study Circle journal, but Robson Lowe does record the aborted Edward VIII issue for India:



I think I prefer the designs used for his brother, after he became King-Emperor.

I agree there, the use of the full bust overpowers the vignette,
the spandrels are large and flowery.
KG6 issues were a lot better for mine.
As a kid, I recall them being very inspirational.

Interesting thread ROD. Makes me want to go look through piles of stuff at the stamp shows to find some.
Bob

Going through piles of stuff at stamp shows is Nirvana.

The symbols above the Kings head are Chakra (divine wheel as held by Vishnu, the sustainer among the holy trinity) on the top left and on the top right is the Shanka (divine conch as held by Him)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankha

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudarshana_Chakra

Regards
Ram

Fantastic Ram
been chasing that info for years.