India Cochin postage stamps year 1871 – 1920 used lot

Historical context

• Cochin was a princely state in southern India (modern Kerala) with its own postal system.
• It issued stamps roughly 1892–1933 as a feudatory state under British India.
• These stamps were mainly valid within the state, requiring additional British Indian postage for external mail.

🧾 Key periods (relevant to 1871–1920)

🔹 Before stamps (pre-1892)

• No adhesive postage stamps in 1871
• Mail handled through local courier/postal systems of the Maharaja

🔹 First issues (1892–1900)

• First stamps issued under Raja Vira Kerala Varma V
• Typical features:
  • Denominations in puttan (puttans)
  • Printed on white wove or laid paper
  • Perforation ~12
• Early designs are simple numerals or symbols rather than portraits

👉 These are the earliest collectible Cochin stamps

🔹 Early 20th century issues (1900–1910)

• Expansion of denominations and printings
• Introduction of:
  • Better paper and gum
  • Increasing print quantities
• Still relatively primitive typographic designs

🔹 Maharaja portrait issues (1911–1919)

• Major development: portrait of Maharaja Rama Varma XV
• Typical features:
  • More refined engraved/typographed designs
  • Denominations in pies/annas equivalents
  • Perforation ~14

🔹 Official stamps (1913–1919)

• Overprinted “ON C G S” (Cochin Government Service)
• Used for official/state correspondence
• Multiple types and varieties exist

🔹 Around 1920

• Continued portrait issues
• Increasing varieties (perforations, overprints, shades)
• Some sets issued in 1919–1920 transitional period