The India National Philatelic Exhibition (INPEX-75)

The India Ntional Philatelic Exhibition (INPEX-75) was organised by the Posts and Telegraphs Department from Dcember 25-31 at Calcutta is the second one of its kind, the first having been held in New Delhi in 1970. India has also staged two International Philatelic Exhibitions (INDIPEX) in 1954 and 1973.  

INPEX-75 Stamps. The P & T Department is happy to bring out two stamps on the occasion of the Second India National Philatelic Exhibition- INPEX-75- on the 25th December, 1975. These stamps depict- The Indian Bishop Mark in the denomination of Rs. 2/-. And an  early Mail Cart in the denomination of 25 Paise. On this occasion of INPEX-75 more attention has been given for the reproduction of the early postmarks used in India both on stamps, first day cancellation and special cancellations. The drawing on the cover is that of an early Mail Liner between India and Great Britain.

The earliest use of handstuck postmarks anywhere in the world had been in 1661 in Great Britain when Col. Henry Bishop was the Postmaster General there. This postmark has been named as "Bishop Mark" after his name. This is very simple in design consisting of circle divided horizontally in half. The upper half bears a number to indicate the date of the month and the lower half the name of the month in an abbreviated form. The earliest recorded examples of the Bishop Mark are those of April, 1661 used in London GPO. Later on, however, they were used in places like Dublin, Quebec, Calcutta, etc. Examples of such "Bishop Marks" are extremely rare. The letter with the Bishop Mark used on the stamp of Rs 2/- was sent from Calcutta to Dacca in 1775, stamped "CALCUTTA" and "POSTPAD" in addition to the Bishop Mark "@ FEB.". This letter is unique as it bears the earliest of the only four "Indian Bishop Marks" known. The picture of an early Mail Cart has bee adopted as the motif of the stamp in 25 P. The mail cart of early days was drawn by one or more horses. They dashed past at a tremendous pace uphill and downhill! and through the plains carrying mail. Material for the stamp on The Indian Bishop mark by courtesy of Mr. Hanimond Giles.