2017-05-10 Wed

Cochin was a princely state in Malabar Coast located in the southern region of the Indian peninsula during the British raj. This region’s most spoken language was Malayalam and English which was also used on its bi-lingual stamps.

During the colonial period Cochin had the highest literacy rate and its people were avid letter writers. Hence there were many stamp and used covers available. But the most fascinating postal entity of Cochin are the Maharaja Portraits series stamps since 1911 to 1950CE.

The first Maharaja to appear of these stamps was Rama Varma I (1895 -1914) later followed by other kings till 1950. There were total six kings that appeared on these stamps. Prior to this portrait series the stamps displayed state symbols and numerical. There are five examples available of non portrait stamps series.

In 1948 five surcharges were overprint on these portrait series stamps. These stamps are scarce in mint state and even scarcer in used condition.

This above shown stamp belongs to the maharaja portrait series. This stamp depicts the portrait of H. H. Sir Sri Rama Varma III, Maharaja of Cochin. This stamp contains a surcharge overprint on it.

Some interesting facts:

• There are total of 376 varieties of Maharaja’s portrait on Cochin stamps series.
• The title Rama Varma was given to the eldest son of a matriarch.

P.S: Image courtesy Todywalla Aucations, this stamp is Un gummed, Unissued and rare.