1924 Mount Everest Expedition label + cover with Cocos Isl. stamps
Few weeks back I did something unordinary, and bought this fabulous item for 55 AUD (+ postage). Normally I don’t spend this much on single item, but IMO this is truly attractive piece of philatelic history and worth it’s price.
1924 Mt. Everest Expedition vignette on cut-out. Red cancellation MT.EVEREST EXPEDITION/1924/ RONGBUK/ GLACIER / BASE /CAMP
The “1924 Mt. Everest stamp” (as it is generally called) is interesting item in a sense that
a) It’s not official stamp, but more of a private vignette or label. The label was designed and “issued” by Capt. John Noel & associates to fund the 1924 Mt. Everest expedition.
b) It’s usually categorized under “British India stamps” though Mt. Everest is in Nepal, and even the vignette says Nepal. The reason it’s categorized under British India is that at Base Camp an Indian stamp was added and the thousands of cards were dispatched to “orderers”.
And if the item is stunning to look at, the same can be said about the cover it was sent to me:
Cover with Cocos (Keeling) Island stamps
And the cover even contained original stamp package for Cocos (Keeling) stamps:
Cocos Keeling stamp package outside
Cocos Keeling stamp package inside - the text inside the package is very informative about the stamp issue reasons.
My thanks to stamp dealer Glen Stephens for these items.
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Nice blog
Interesting the Swastikas in the corner. Early use as Indian peace sign, I think, later of course, as the Nazi symbol for Hitler’s Germany.
Allan
You are absolutely right Allan – the swastika is a common symbol in variety of Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, etc.). It wasn’t until Hitler co-opted the symbol that it took on a sinister connotation in the West.
You have picked up a beautiful piece of philatelic history. Congratulations!
In Finland Swastika was a very prestiged symbol before WW2.
The Finnish Airforce used blue swastika (the ancient symbol of good luck) as their insignia from 1918 onwards. In 1945 it was forced to be abandoned due to an Allied Control Commission decree (association to nazism)… Swastika was used also as a watermark on finnish stamps in the 1920’s.
I am in the process of getting a used 1924 Mount Everest Expedition label. How can I make sure it is Authentic? Also, can we read more about this wonderful piece of Hymalayan history.
Hi Abrahan,
as for first question, I’d say your best resource is a knowledgeable stamp dealer and “self-education” (literature, articles etc).
As for your other question, right now I have no intentions to write new entries of this topic. But who knows, maybe I’ll someday showcase some of my Nepalese stamps
best wishes,
-keijo-
I have an unused 1924 Everest stamp given to me by Captain Noel when I was a child . I knew his daughter Sandra and often visited them when they lived at The Cloth Hall in Smarden.
I would like to sell the “stamp” as I am disposing of many personal items.
Hi Bernadette,
I’m not a dealer or anything alike (and as I have my copy I’m not interested in buying either), but here’s my 2 pennies worth…
With such background story/connections, I think you are best by taking the item to some antiques dealer, or possibly even to some antiques auction house in your area. The item you have is no longer “purely philatelic” (and it never really was), but more of a memorabilia that could raise much interest from other type of collectors (like those interested in expeditions/explorers) as well…. The label itself is not of much monetary value to raise interest of major auction houses, but with the story (especially if written down) it might attract more keen eyes… But that’s just my opinion as collector; dealers may think otherwise.
best wishes,
-keijo-
PS. For what it’s worth, I definitely love Your illustrations