India’s Department of Posts has—for its first time ever—issued stamps based on the various modes of transport used within the country throughout history.
A total of 20 stamps dubbed “Means of Transport Through the Ages” were unveiled on March 25 at the Heritage Transport Museum, India’s first comprehensive transportation museum, in Taoru-Gurgaon. Fifteen of the issue’s 20 designs were inspired by artwork at the museum.
“The 20 postage stamps that depict the gradual progression in the modes of transport in our country will act as a catalyst to reconnect people with India’s history, art and heritage. Images for the stamps were directly adopted from the museum’s collection and it is an incredible honour for us,” Tarun Thakral, managing trustee of the Heritage Transport Museum, told Hindustan Times.
The ‘Vintage Car’ sheet depicts four iconic cars used in India’s past.
The issue includes five sets of four stamps, including palanquins, animal-powered carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and public transportation such as buses, a tram and the metro. Altogether, the stamps depict the evolution of transportation in India.
The stamps are available in mixed stamp sheetlets”—another first for India Post—as well as in prestige booklets. The stamps’ values range from five rupees to 25 rupees, and they are available at all of the 81 philatelic bureaus across India.