04 December 2024
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If you’re a stamp collector with a passion for unique and historically significant issues, Nepal’s 1959 Sri Pashupati Nath Temple stamps are worth exploring. On 19 November 1959, the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal released an interesting set of three stamps. The design of all three is identical, but the actual size of the stamps increases with the denomination. The 4 paisa measures 18mm×24½mm, the 8p 20mm½×28 mm, and the top 1-rupee value 24mm½×33 mm.
The set was issued to mark the renovation of the Sri Pashupati Nath Temple in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. This huge Hindu temple complex (comprising 518 mini-temples and the main pagoda) was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is dedicated to Pashupati, also known as Shiva or Mahadeva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. It is the oldest Hindu temple in the Nepalese capital. The design features a sculpture of the deity located inside the temple.
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In the 1958–61 period, several Nepalese stamp issues (including the temple set) were printed locally in Nepal by the Gurkha Patra Press in Kathmandu at a time when Nepal usually turned to the Indian Security Printing Press, Nasik, for the printing of most of the nation’s stamps. The perforation process seems to have been a major problem for the Kathmandu printers because all three stamps exist with missing perforations between stamps. For the seasoned stamp collector, finding a set with perforation errors can be an exciting addition to their portfolio. Such horizontal pairs are quite valuable and well worth looking for. Other perforation errors have also been discovered. This set is a must-have for any stamp collector interested in South Asian history or unique printing techniques. The set has seen a slow but steady increase in catalogue value over the years, and it can certainly be recommended. Dealers’ asking prices vary considerably but about £8 seems to be a fair price to pay for a nice, unmounted mint set.
Stamp collectors can learn more about stamp stories from around the world in Stamp Stories, Volume one.