INDIAN SETTLEMENTS OF FRANCE 1892-1913

Établissement de l'Inde (Inde Française)

Return To Catalogue - 1914 onwards and miscellaneous - France

Note: on my website many of the pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the cd's;
contact me if you want to purchase them: evert@klaseboer.com.

The Indian Settlements of France consisted of five territories in India; Pondichery, Chandarnagar, Karikal, Mahe, and Yanaon (Yanam). Chandarnagar was joined to West Bengal in 1949. In 1954, Indian stamps were introduced, when the last territory returned to India. The French Indian Settlements issued stamps from 1892 to 1954.

Stamps of the French Colonies used in the Indian Settlements of France:

Pondichery obliteration on 15 c brown Ceres stamp 40 c orange 'INDE' on eagle issue
Pondichery obliteration and "INDE" cancel on French colonies stamp


Pondichery cancel on 1 F stamp

1892 French colonies type, inscription "ETABLISSEMENTS DE L'INDE" in red or blue

10 c red 

  1 c black
  2 c brown on yellowish
  4 c brown
  5 c green
  10 c black
  10 c red
  15 c blue
  15 c grey
  20 c red on yellow
  25 c black
  25 c blue
  30 c brown
  35 c black
  40 c orange
  45 c black
  50 c red
  50 c brown on blue
  75 c lilac
  1 Fr green

These stamps have perforation 14 x 13 1/2. For stamps in the same Tablet design, but for other French colonies, click here.

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
1 c * *  
2 c * *  
4 c * *  
5 c ** *  
10 c black ** *  
10 c red ** *  
15 c blue * * With background pattern
15 c grey R R  
20 c *** ***  
25 c black ** **  
25 c blue R R  
30 c RR RR  
35 c *** ***  
40 c *** ***  
45 c *** ***  
50 c red *** ***  
50 c brown on blue R R  
75 c *** ***  
1 Fr *** ***   
Typical cancels:


Pondichery and Karikal


Rectangle with dots and "INDE" in the center.


(Fournier forgery)

Fournier has made forgeries of these 'Tablet' stamps, for more information on these forgeries click here.

 

1904 As 1893 issue, but surcharged

0,15 on 25 c black 

  0,05 (red) on 25 c black
  0,10 (red) on 25 c black
  0,15 (red) on 25 c black
  0,40 (black) on 50 c red

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
0,05 on 25 c RR RR Only 2100 stamps issued
0,10 on 25 c RR RR  
0,15 on 25 c RR R  
0,40 on 50 c RR RR Only 1500 stamps issued

Special cancel "INDE" and dots surrounded by a rectangle:

Genuine, with 'INDE' cancel


These two stamps appear to be forgeries to me, even though they were offered as genuine on a prestiguous Internet auction


Another (Fournier) forgery.

 

1903 Fiscal stamp, upper part surcharged "Inde Fcaise POSTES"

  0,05 c blue

Value of the stamps

 
vc = very common
c  = common
*  = not so common
** = uncommon
 
*** = very uncommon
R   = rare
RR  = very rare
RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
0,05 c *** ***  

If I'm well informed, there are some varieties of the overprint. It varies from 18 1/2 to 19 1/2 mm, the thickness of the lines below 'caise' is variable. The 'O' of 'POSTES' is between the 'd' and 'e' of 'Inde' or below the 'e'. The comma can be oval or round. A variety with larger 'E' in 'POSTES' exists. The '0' of the value exists normal or small. Some corrections were done (not sure about this). I would like to thank Yves Claude Levern for supplying me with this information.


A sheetlet with all postmarks of Pondichery of 1914; prepared by the postmaster(?).

 

French India, 1914 onwards and miscellaneous

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer