1969 Gandhi Stamp Marks First for Britain

The British Postal Museum and Archives' website reports, "Forty years ago the General Post Office released the first British stamp to commemorate an overseas leader and the first to be designed by an overseas artist. The stamp in question celebrated the birth centenary of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, although it was released to coincide with Indian Independence Day (15th August), rather than Gandhi’s birthday (2nd October)."

The designer of the stamp was Biman Mullick an Indian-born graphic designer and illustrator then teaching at the Folkestone School of Arts and Crafts. Biman had met Gandhi as a child through his father who was a local political leader in Calcutta.

Click here for scans of newspaper articles and other material related to the stamp issue.

For a list of countries that have also issued stamps honoring Mahatma Gandhi, click here.