Indian Expeditionary Forces Stamps
The Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps were issued by the British Indian postal administration to serve military personnel deployed overseas, primarily in the Middle East and East Africa during World War I. These issues fall under the broader postal history of British India, operating under the authority of the British Crown and adhering to international postal regulations of the era.
- Issued stamps
- 1914–1914
- Region
- Middle East, Levant, Mesopotamia, East Africa
- Currency
- INR
- Languages
- English, Urdu
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- British India
History and background
The stamps predominantly feature English and often Urdu or other Indian languages, reflecting the multi-ethnic composition of the British Indian Army. Their issuance ceased following the conclusion of the major military campaigns, marking a temporary administrative postal extension rather than a permanent sovereign entity.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- I.E.F.
- INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
- FIELD POST OFFICE
How to identify them
- Look for 'I.E.F.' or 'INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE' overprints on stamps of British India, primarily King George V issues.
- Examine the overprint for authenticity; check for correct font, spacing, and color.
- Verify the underlying Indian stamp's design, watermark, and perforation.
- Cancellations can provide clues to the area of use (e.g., 'FIELD POST OFFICE' marks).
Popular series
-
King George V Overprints
1914-1919
Stamps of British India (King George V issues) overprinted with 'I.E.F.' or 'INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE' for use by military personnel.
-
Mesopotamia Overprints
1914-1919
Specific overprints for the Mesopotamian campaign, often on Indian stamps, sometimes with additional local surcharges.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- £5–£50
- Scarce stamps
- £100–£5,000+
Value depends heavily on the specific overprint, the underlying Indian stamp, condition, and cancellation. Rarer overprints and those used in specific campaigns (e.g., East Africa) command higher prices. Forgeries are known.
Catalogs. Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps
Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps are British Indian postage stamps overprinted for use by Indian military personnel serving overseas during World War I, primarily in the Middle East and East Africa. They were issued to provide postal services to these forces in areas where regular postal infrastructure was unavailable or under military control.
Yes, many Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps can be valuable, especially those with rare overprints, specific campaign usages, or in excellent condition. Values can range from a few pounds for common types to several thousands for rare varieties. The specific overprint, the underlying stamp, and the cancellation significantly influence their market price.
Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps are identified by overprints such as 'I.E.F.' or 'INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE' on standard British Indian stamps, predominantly King George V issues. Key identification involves recognizing the base stamp and verifying the authenticity and type of the overprint. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Indian Expeditionary Forces stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue, the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under British India or specific occupation issues), and the Michel Ostasien catalogue. These catalogs provide detailed listings, varieties, and estimated values.
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.