As a lifelong philatelist and resident of Rajpipla, I've long been captivated by the postal history of Rajpipla State. The idea to celebrate the centenary of its postage stamps struck me in 1980 at age 18, while still in school. That year, I founded the Rajpipla Philatelic Society in Rajpipla town.
On 21st October 1980, we marked the occasion with a special cover and souvenir release. Centenary celebration of Postage Stamp of Rajpipla State. My modest article, "Rajpipla State Post," in the souvenir was my first foray into writing on the topic—though my knowledge then was limited to stamps and postal stationery.
Joining the India Study Circle for Philately (U.K.) brought unexpected connections. Noticing Rajpipla stamps and the state's coat of arms on my letterhead, Past President David Padgham reached out. We exchanged insights on Rajpipla for years.
While preparing the souvenir for Baroda Philatelic Society's Silver Jubilee, I invited Mr. Padgham to contribute. His seminal article, "Rajpipla State Post," debuted in Vadophil-2000 (January 2000), followed by a revised version in India Post #145 (August 2000) and a follow-up in #148 (May 2001). I contributed additional information on the topic in my own article, "Rajpipla State Post," published in India Post #151 (February 2002).
My comprehensive piece on the "Postal History of Rajpipla" later appeared in A Maharaja’s Turf by Shri Indra Vikram Singhji.
This site draws from my ongoing research into Postal History of Rajpipla State.
I extend deep gratitude to Mr. David Padgham for his pioneering efforts in updating Rajpipla's postal history, and to Mr. Peter Leevers for sharing scans and text via email to support this website.
References:
Major Edward B. Evans: "The Stamps of some of the Native States of India: Rajpipla" - Gibbons Stamp Weekly, London, 15 January 1910, pages 60-64.
Harrison S.D. Haverbeck: "Rajpipla" - Collectors Club Philatelist (New York), November 1957, pages 295-301.
Harrison S.D. Haverbeck: "A Hitherto Unreported Essay for the State of Rajpipla" - The Philatelic Journal of India, October 1977, page 238.
E. F. Deschl: Indian States Postal Stationery Listing (USA, 1994).
Sir Roper Lethbridge: The Golden Book of India (London, 1893).
The Indian Year Book, 1918 - Times of India Office, Bombay.
Adolph Koeppel & R.D. Manners: The Court Fee & Revenue Stamps of the Princely States of India.
Wall mounted letter boxes are a type of letter box found in many countries. They differ from pillar boxes in that, instead of being a free-standing structure, they are generally set into a wall (hence the name) or supported on a free-standing pole, girder or other stable structure.
An ancient British-era wall-mounted iron letter box, over a century old, once used in Rajpipla.
