So Who's Afraid Of The Indian States?

Morvi Court Fee Stamp 1889 100 Rupees ___New addition for my court fees collection:

I skipped over India and States in my KGVI collection. It was way too intimidating. I plan to go back to it some day although I don't have much time left.

Jack Kelley

Cambay revenue stamp.
4 annas KM 202,26 x31 mm,Imperf,dull blue, 1900
Sailing ship design.

I skipped right over India in my KGVI collection. There are so many of them!

jkelley01938: I would suggest you start because there are so many things to bite into.It dépends;if you start with Convention states or British India proper.Then you have revenue,court fee stamps with many types of overprints.
I started India states court fee stamps with 1 album.Now onto my 5th album;always having to make room for new arrivals…Waiting for a lot of KGV,KEVII court stamps with overprints.
On top of that, court stamps on entire documents make it even more interesting.
Yes it takes up a lot of space….

In all my years here, and collecting, never came across the Princely State of CAMBAY / KHAMBHAT
Amazing hobby, that never ceases to bring up new information.

Jashpur Court Fee Type 5.K&M no.54, 1933.
In some Indian states Court Fee stamps the value was added in by hand.This one is simple;
with a manuscript 8 annas & a linear numeral 8 annas.

Cutch court fee stamp. Circular type 5 - dia. 49mm
These exist in 18 different values.Dated from 1879-1945.So they had a very long life.
The Samvat calender date is on the right side comprised of four numerals.The value is in the center.Below a 2 kori K&M 53.
One peculiar thing about these stamps is the perforation: 17½ or 18.My old perf guage ends at 17 !

Varsoda Court Fee stamps 1938-1948
Last ruler of Varsoda: Thakore Shri Jorawarsinhji Surajmalji (1919-1947),born april 1914 and was issued from the Chavda dynasty.Varsoda was absorbed into the Bombay state in 1948.

Rampur Court fee stamp document. KM type 9(95), 1935-47.
The chaps full name is the Following:
Born 17 Nov.1908; ruled from: 1930 - 1966 Major-General H.H. 'Ali Jah, Farzand-i-Dilpazir-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mukhlis ud-Daula, Nasir ul-Mulk, Amir ul-Umara, Nawab Syed Sir Muhammad Raza 'Ali Khan Bahadur, Mustaid Jang, Nawab of Rampur !
He was the first Grand Master of the Grand lodge of India.

can anyone help with confirm Scott numbers for these 2? I have the L one as perf.11, possible wmk of 294 and the right one as perf 13 x 13.5, wmk 41. Im thinking left one, O52a and right one O47. BUT, the overprints should be the same and these are 2 different font styles. Also, it seems to me that the eyes seem to be looking in different directions...... Tks much. PS - they are both perforated all the way around.

For Kochchi 1938 1A Sc 52a, Scott mentions that the ON C G S overprint is similar to type m, not same. So, the identifications are correct.

Though Gibbons lacks much in detail but still it is the best catalog for Indian Feudatory States stamps, in the absence of any other better option. Scott is practically useless for IFS stamps just like SG is useless for Por. India stamps for which Mundifil is the best catalog.

Tks joy.

Hi Joy - may I impose again ? I have the following which I think is Scott O59a and is perf 13 x 13.5, wmk 294. But, the overprint does not match exactly as noted in Scott catalogue - especially the "G". Do you think the overprint follows the same "similar" description or do I have the number wrong? Tks again..... S4L

The stamp is indeed Kochchi 1944 6P Sc O59.

The type q ovpt. is also depicted in Scotts in the subsequent surcharged Kochchi 1944 Keralavarma VI official stamps in which G is what it should be.



The same ovpt. is type O10 in SG.