The Postal Department issued blank unstamped covers and postcards for local service because embossed envelopes and postcards could not be prepared by the time of inauguration of local service. The price of such unstamped envelopes and postcards was fixed at the rate of 2 annas and 1 anna respectively for the packet of 16 pieces. Not less than 2 envelopes or 4 postcards were sold at a time, at the rate of 3 pies for 2 envelopes or 4 postcards. But, this did not mean that there was an objection to the use of private stationery for local delivery service. Actually, the requirement was the word “Local”, which should by prominently and clearly be written on address side.

A ½ KG-IV stamp was affixed on unstamped postcard and mail to Jaipur on 27.9.50 along with the Label “LOCAL” on address side.

HERE, I WANT TO CLARIFY a question and/or a riddle. - Why Formula Postcard, recorded in every book of Postal Stationery as issued in 1946, is not found used till 1st April 1950?

The answer is : 1946 Formula Postcard was never issued in 1946 or before 1st April 1950. It was a misconception on part of collectors and writers of Postal Stationery. If the said Formula Postcard of 1946 was ever issued, we should have, used examples for the year 1946, 1947, 1948, or 1949. But, we get used examples only after 1st April 1950, because the Formula was issued on that date. The sale of these Formula Postcards is recorded in DGPO Circular No.1 dated 1st April 1950 and Postal Notice No.1 of the same day.

As I am a collector of Postal Stationery of India and am a researcher of Postal History, I checked thousands of these Formula Postcards to find the earliest date of use. when I concluded that the earliest date of use is not prior to 1st April 1950, I started asking collectors and researchers of India Postal Stationery that whether they have seen just one example of this Formula Postcard being used prior to 1st April 1950. I always got a negative reply. Thus, I adduced that this Formula Postcard was issued only on 1st April 1950. By going through Postal Notice No.1 dated 1st April 1950, it became crystal clear that these Formula Postcard were sold over the counter without stamps on and from 1st April 1950, for a price .

The stationery charge of 3 pies for 4 pieces, on such Formula Postcard was withdrawn, on and from 1st July 1950 and a new instruction was issued by the Postal Department that these Formula Postcards should not be sold without affixing six pies stamp on it, vide Postal Notice No.19 dated 21st June 1950.

It is interesting to note that the Department was apprehending fraud, on account of Formula Postcards, vide DGPO Circular No.76 dated 12th February 1951. the Controller of Stamps had pointed out that the Department was exchanging such postcards, which had atleast some traces of printing of stamps on them, but finding problems to reject the claim, when they get blank postcards (formula) for exchange with 9 pies postcards, which do not have any trace of printing of stamps whatsoever thereon, on the plea that they had been found as such among the packets of 9 pies postcards. Therfore the Postal Department had decided that they were not going to entertain any claim, where postcards didn’t have any trace of printing of stamps on them. Genuine cases, where unstamped postcards were detected in any packet or consignment, they should be brought to the notice of the competent authorities under Rule 44 (5) of the P & T Mannual Vol.VI, for necessary action.

To continue with local, we discuss “Local Labels” which were issued vide Postal Notice No.8 dated 24th April 1950. It reads “In order to afford facility to the public in the matter of posting their letters and postcards intended for local delivery, it has been decided to introduce a specially designed adhesive label bearing the word “’LOCAL”, the supplies of which will be obtainable from the post offices free of cost. These labels should be invariably affixed on letters and postcards intended for local delivery before posting”.

When distinctive stamped local delivery postcards and envelopes were issued on 1st July 1950 and 2nd October 1950 respectively, it was decided to discontinue the printing of these local labels and their supply to post offices, vide Postal Notice No.53 dated 1st February 1951. The local labels, which were lying with the post office, would continue to be issued to the public free of cost for the use on private stationery ment for local delivery.

Now, we deal with Special Postal Stationery for locals. Special Postcards for local delivery was issued on 1st July 1950 as per Postal Notice No.19 dated 21st June 1950. The new postcards are of the same size as the existing 9 pies postcards and Formula Postcards, viz., 5½” x 3½” (139 x 89mm). These postcards bear the impression of the Konark Horse as depicted on the existing 6 pies postage stamp of Archaeological Series. The price of such local delivery postcards is ½ anna each and there was no stationery charge on it . As new stamped postcards had no stationery charge on it, the existing stationery charge on Formula Postcards was withdrawn on and from 1st July 1950. And these existing blank Formula Postcards would be sold to public only after affixing 6 pies stamp for 6 pies, vide DGPO Circular No.22 dated 21st June 1950.

The supply of these printed local delivery postcards was restricted to 25 centres in initial period viz., Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Ambala, Banaras, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cuttack, Indore, Jubbulpore, Jullundur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Madras, Madura, Nagpur, Nasik, New Delhi, Patna, Poona, Puri, Rajkot, Shillong, Simla and Tiruchirapalli. If the list is closely scrutanized, we will find that local delivery postcards were not sent to any city of “Union of Rajasthan”. In my opinion, the then Princely State’s stationery were available in plently and that is why the State’s Postal Stationery was used and the validity of State’s stamps and stationery was extended till 31st December 1950. As State’s stationery along with blank formula stationery was available in plenty, the stamp stationery for local delivery was not available there.