INDIA 1925 2a 'Delhi Specimen' essays

India 1925 2a 'Delhi Specimen' essays, printed as samples of stamp production in India before the opening of the Nasik press. A range of 10 horizontal pairs, all perforations 14, in shades of indigo (x2), brown (x6) and vermilion (x2).

Fresh unmounted mint examples with full original gum and most attractive and rare.

From 1 January 1926, all printing and overprinting of India' postage stamps was conducted at India Security Press, Nasik. The potential to print stamps in India had previously been looked into before the First World War, but was considered not feasible at that time.

In 1922, the feasibility was again explored in England by Lt Col C.H. Willis, C.I.E., then master of the Bombay Mint, and Mr F.D. Ascoti, I.C.S., Controller of Printing, Stationery and Stamps. Their favourable report, followed by a successful demonstration of production techniques in Delhi in 1923, resulted in the decision by the Government to establish a security press at Nasik.

The responsibility of setting up the Press was entrusted to the illustrious London firm of Thomas De La Rue, which already had a six-decade long association with Indian stamps.

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