2016-06-21 Tue

Indian Philatelic Bureau is completing its 75th year today. Set up on 21st June 1941, the Indian Philatelic Bureau Philatelic bureaus were established as a public service. The bureau’s primary function is supplying to the general public a variety of philatelic collectibles from India Post.

Philatelic Bureaux function in Head Post Offices at Circle Head Offices or in major district towns. There are 81 Philatelic Bureaux and more than thousand Philatelic Counters, which includes all the Head Post Offices or Mukhya Dak Ghars of the country.

The first philatelic bureau was opened on 21st June 1941 at Bombay GPO. Bombay Philatelic Bureau was the only bureau in India, functioning alone for more than 7 years, followed by nine philatelic bureaux opened in different state capitals of India, such as Calcutta, Cuttack, Delhi, Lucknow, Madras, Nagpur, Patna, Shillong, and Simla.

Philatelic Bureau Mumbai GPO is India’s largest Philatelic Bureau and also functioning as International Philatelic Bureau. It deals with the sale of Philatelic items and provision of Philatelic services.

They carry out the sale of a variety of philatelic material such as Mint stamps (unused stamps), Commemorative Stamps, First Day Covers, Collectors' Packs and Miniature/Souvenir sheets. Besides, Philatelic Deposit Accounts can be opened at these Bureaus. United Nations Stamps are also available at the bureaux. However, only four philatelic Bureaus – the Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and New Delhi GPOs are authorized to sell them.

The Philatelic Bureau has been catering the needs of philatelists since 75 years and it is calling the young generation towards the wonderful and vast treasure of knowledge called as Philately.