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.
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