Amazing facts about Antique Stamps of Japan

The early twentieth century, especially the period post the First World War but before the Second World war is an interesting period for stamp collectors. Japan, along with many other countries of the world was gearing up for the industrial age of air-travel, heavy machinery, railways and so on. Japan itself was undergoing a rapid pace of development, a prelude to its entry into the Second World War. However, the period from 1915 to 1925 would have been more peaceful as is reflected in the themes of the stamps of that period. The Mount Fuji Deer stamps are an example of how people felt about their ecosystem and wildlife.

Unfortunately, I don't know Japanese and whatever I know about the stamps comes from my research on the subject along with help from people who have read my blogposts on stamps. It is interesting however to note how stamps help one transcend the boundaries of language. On doing some research on some of the stamps that I have in my collection, I was surprised to know that a few stamps that I thought belonged to the early 1920s were in fact issued in the years 1899 to 1907! I have posted a few below:

The vintage one and a half to twenty sen stamps were printed from 1899 to 1907

1915 till the late 1930s

One fine example of an early Japanese stamp is posted below. Notice the English label, Imperial Japanese Post. The stamp was issued during the period 1883-1887.

To celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Yoshihito, four bicolour stamps were issued in the year 1915. Posted below is a 1915 Scott 151 10s ultramarine stamp: 

Early Japanese stamps did not have a picture of their Emperor, nor did they have pictures of important personalities. Things changed after the early nineteen hundred when stamps started to have pictures of important personalities like Fleet Admiral Marquis Togo Heihachiro. Some of the stamps were issued after Japan conquered other countries during the Second World War.

1925-1926 miscellaneous stamps

1922 to 1929-The Mount Fuji Deer Stamps

The Mt. Fuji Stamps are thematic stamps that depict nature in the form of deer and the National treasure of the country none other than the mystical Mt. Fuji.

Fleet Admiral Marquis Togo Heihachiro

The Second World War saw Japan conquering parts of China and during this period there were a large number of examples of Chines Stamps being overprinted by the Japanese. Some of these examples are of the Sun Yat-sen stamps on to which the values were overprinted in the Japanese language. A few examples have been posted below:

Notable during the Second World War are many more examples of Chinese stamps that were overprinted by the Japanese. A couple of examples of Chinese stamps that were overprinted include the ones below.

Amazing Stamps of India - 2019

Very few of you will have come across some of the most amazing of stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India, but then fewer still are Philatelists at heart! A lot of people who still post letters the traditional way will have used definitive issues, stamps that are used for day to day needs and are most commonly seen. That, however, doesn't mean that special issues cannot be used to post letters.

Thematic packs such as the ones below are collector's items and they are a set of two or more stamps based on a particular theme. They might also be called miniature sheets in which the outer area beyond the stamps themselves depicts an extension of the theme itself. The role of Indian soldiers in the First World War is depicted in the stamps above. They might also be called commemorative issues.

The above Miniature sheet represents some of the major battle theatres of the First World War in which Indian Soldiers took part.

The Miniature sheet above shows some of the Indian War Memorials dedicated to the Indian Soldiers who fought during the First World War.

The miniature sheet above depicts Indian Pilots who flew missions during the first World War.

The Minature Sheet above commemorates the Treaty of Versailles and it depicts Maharaja Ganga Singh as the Indian Signatory to the Treaty on the 28th of June, 1919.

The theme of the miniature sheet above is about women's empowerment, especially as Airforce and Commercial pilots.

But then, thematic miniature sheets are also important because they commemorate specific events. They are issued on birth anniversaries of the events birth anniversaries of important people. The Department of Posts issued such stamps on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The thematic issue below marks the 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Thematic Miniature sheets are also issued to showcase the culture of the country. As such, these sheets could be based upon ethnic dresses, modern couture and embroidery styles.

Some of the more exotic miniature sheets have scented stamps in the centre. These sheets not only have pictures of the traditional scent industry of India but also are scented. You can actually sample the scent in the stamps!

A few more interesting Thematic-Miniature sheets are posted below. These sheets depict places of tourist importance.

The Miniature sheet above depicts some of the important historical gates of India. The Bulland Darwaza is the tallest gate in India!

The rather uniquely shaped Miniature sheet posted below commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

Miniature sheets might also be jointly issued by two different countries or they might even be issued on occasions like Children's Day.

First Day Covers are issued to mark an important day like the International Yoga Day or mark the launch of a special service like The India Posts Payment Bank.