AlwarFirst Postage Stamp

Two values, many nuances

Lithographed in sheets of 70, the issue comes in just two denominations: ¼ anna and 1 anna. At least four printings are recorded, with variation in impression and ink. Rouletting was applied to full sheets in a single operation, but often failed to cut fully due to insufficient pressure. As a result, some pairs, like the one shown here, can appear imperforate between, though slight indentations are usually visible. The stamps remained in use until 1902. Forgeries of the ¼ anna blue are typically blurred, with a dagger blade that appears too wide and thin framelines replacing the expected rouletting. Another type shows a different background pattern behind the central ellipse. The fourth character in the lower inscription and the shading of the dagger are key points for comparison. Modern forgeries of the 1 anna include examples in incorrect colours such as yellow-green, dark green, or lilac. These are usually imperforate, poorly printed, and show a crude rendering of the pearl ellipse. A modest first issue, but one that rewards a closer look.