It was a delightful surprise to receive a copy of “A Compendium of Articles on the Half Anna Lithograph Stamps” by Mr. Dinesh Kanabar — a name well respected in philatelic circles. This book isn’t just a collection of articles; it's a heartfelt tribute to one of India’s most iconic classic stamps, the 1854 Half Anna Lithograph.
Right from the first page, it’s evident how much passion, precision, and perseverance has gone into this work. The book compiles some of the finest articles ever published on the Half Anna Lithograph, drawing from a wide array of respected philatelic journals and magazines, most of which were published before 1970. These include stalwarts like the Philatelic Journal of India, India Stamp Journal, India Post, London Philatelist, Calcutta Philatelist, and more.
🔍 What’s Inside?
The book spans ten rich chapters and a prologue, each shedding light on different aspects of the Half Anna stamp — from its lithographic stone and production flaws to color variations, die types, errors, and even lesser-known varieties that have rarely been catalogued. One of the standout features is Chapter 8, which offers valuable insight into the sources consulted. Chapter 9 serves as a handy index of articles, making it easy to trace the origin and authorship of each piece included.
🖨️ Quality That Matches the Content
Printed on glossy, high-quality paper across approximately 280 pages, the book is beautifully presented. Despite the age of the original articles, the reproduction quality is commendable, with only minimal limitations in a few images — something that is understandable given the historical nature of the content.
📌 Why This Book Matters
It is an essential reference work for anyone passionate about classic Indian philately. Mr. Kanabar has masterfully brought together decades of expert analysis and writing, pairing it with his own insightful commentary. The result is a one-stop resource for collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts of the 1854 Half Anna Lithograph.
🌱 A Must-Have for Every Serious Collector
Philately, by its very nature, is never complete — there is always something new to discover or reinterpret. That’s why books like this are so important. They inspire new research, spark curiosity, and preserve the legacy of our postal heritage.
If you're serious about Indian classic stamps, especially the 1854 Half Anna Lithograph, this book deserves a proud spot in your library.
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