Revenue Stamps

Revenue stamps of the Princely State of Rajpipla served fiscal purposes. They were likely issued earlier than the documented 1888/1889 dates.

The first Rajpipla revenue stamps feature a half moon with the Marathi inscription "SWASTHÀN RÀJ PÌPLÀ / STÀMP" in the 1 Anna denomination. They appear in numerous colors and shades: Evans noted orange-red, blue, and green; Morley (1910) described red, green, yellow-green, ultramarine, and blue; Forbin (1915) listed orange, ultramarine, and yellow-green; while K. & M. cataloged eight, adding brown and orange-brown. Peter Röver suggests the three basic colours were intended to distinguish use on receipts in the three currencies then recognised in the State - British, Broach or Baroda Rupees. Red shades prove scarcest and are absent from both the Tapling and David Padgham's collections.

Whatever the reason for the differing symbolism of postal and revenue designs, none of them depicts the State Arms granted in 1877.

In 1903, a typographed one-anna stamp in purple on rose, perforated as previous issues, featured a portrait with the inscription MAHÀRÀNÀ SRI CHHATRÀSINJHÌ MAHÀRÀJÀ / SANSTHÀN RÀJPÌPLÀ.

The earliest recorded usage of the 1-anna revenue stamp - featuring the portrait of Maharaja H.H. Shri Vijay Sinhji, printed in light green on wove paper - dates to November 1921. A shifted-perforation example with dark green printing is known.

The earliest recorded use of the 1 anna revenue stamp featuring the portrait of Maharaja H.H. Shri Vijay Sinhji—printed in red on wove paper—dates to October 1926. A die proof of this stamp is also known. (Scan Courtesy : Mr. A. M. Mollah)

Court Fee Stamps

Court fee stamps of the princely state of Rajpipla, often depicting Maharaja Vijaysinhji, served judicial and revenue purposes. Typically printed in blue and green, they appeared in denominations ranging from 1 anna (1a), 2 annas (2a), 4 annas (4a) up to high values like 3 rupees, 4 rupees, and 5 rupees. These stamps circulated commonly from the 1920s through the 1940s.

1943-45, Attachment Scheme use, Used on document in conjunction with Baroda court fee stamps.

Stamp Papers

Rajpipla State fiscal stamp papers, primarily from the reigns of Maharaja Chhatrasinhji and Maharaja Vijaysinhji, feature denominations in annas and rupees (e.g., 2a, 6a, 8a, 12a, 1r, 2r, 5r, and higher). These documents, often bearing the king's portrait, served official revenue and legal purposes within the state.

K & M has not listed many denominations as mentioned below.

Stamp Papers

Examples

Revenue: Type - 20

First Revenue Stamps of Rajpipla

Revenue: Type - 22

Revenue Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Chhatrasinhji

Revenue: Type - 25

Revenue Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji

Revenue: Type - 30

Revenue Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji and Die proof of same stamp (Scan Courtesy : Mr. A. M. Mollah)

Court Fee: Type - 10

One Anna Court Fee Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji in Ultramarine Colour

Court Fee: Type - 10

Two Anna Court Fee Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji in Ultramarine Colour

Court Fee: Type - 10

Four Anna Court Fee Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji in Ultramarine Colour

Court Fee: Type - 10

Eight Anna Court Fee Stamp with Portrait of Maharaja Vijaysinhji in Ultramarine Colour

Stamp Paper: Type - 10

Two Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Chatrasinhji

Stamp Paper: Type - 10

Eight Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Chatrasinhji

Stamp Paper: Type - 15

Two Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Vijaysinhji

Stamp Paper: Type - 20

Two Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Vijaysinhji

Stamp Paper: Type - 20

Six Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Vijaysinhji

Stamp Paper: Type - 20

Eight Anna Stamp Paper - Portrait of Vijaysinhji

Reference:
1. The Cour Fee & Revenue Stamps of the Princely States of India by Adolph Koeppel & R.D. Manners
2. Rajpipla State Post by David Padgham