Ernakulam Philatelic Bureau

History

Kerala’s first Philatelic Bureau was opened at Thiruvananthapuram in 1964. Its second Bureau is the Ernakulam Philatelic Bureau, opened on 1-3-1979. Subsequently, a third bureau was opened at Kozhikode.

Location

Like other philatelic bureaux in India, this Bureau is the branch of a Head Post Office-viz.the Ernakulam Head Post Office(HPO) located at Hospital road, Mahatma Gandhi road, in the city of Kochi, Kerala PIN code 688 011.

Picture Of The Ernakulam Philatelic Bureau

Administration

The Bureau being a branch of the HPO is under the administrative control of the Senior Postmaster of Ernakulam Head Post Office. The technical control of the Bureau is from the Philately section of the office of the Director General India Post, New Delhi.

Philatelic counters

The Bureau has a sale outlet in itself own premises at Ernakulam H.O, which is open from 9 a.m to 5p.m, Monday through Saturday. In addition, the following 20 Philatelic counters, located in Head Post offices in the Central Postal Region (Kerala) are under the technical control of this Bureau-Alappuzha, Aluva,Chalakkuday, Changanacherry, Cherthala, Irinjalakuda, Kanjirapally, Kattappana, Kayamkulam, Kochi, Kottayam, Kunnamkulam, Mavelikara, Muvattupuzha, Palai, Perumbavoor, Thodupuzha, Vaikom and Wadakkancherry.

Authorized offices

There are twelve authorized offices under the Bureau-Kalady ,Kochi airport, Kodungallur, Idukki Painavu, Kumily, Thekkady, Kavaratti, Mattancherry jetty, Kumarakom, Guruvayoor, Munnar and Tripunithura. For a clear functional distinction between philatelic counters and authorized offices, please visit the page About Philately

Activities

The Bureau’s primary function is to supply the general public a variety of philatelic collectibles from India Post. These include:

Commemorative and Special stamps

Definitive and Service postage stamps (on the first day of issue)

Postal stationery (on the first day of issue)

First day covers

Information brochures on stamps

First day cancellations and special cancellations

Collector’s packs

Thematic packs

Miniature sheets

The bureau also sells philatelic accessories, literature and curios. Stamp collectors can have a standing supply order with the bureau- philatelic deposit account. Other activities of the bureau include conducting philatelic workshops, assisting in opening of philatelic clubs in schools, organizing exhibitions, and maintaining a philatelic library

Contact details

Postal address:
Senior Postmaster,
Philatelic Bureau,
Ernakulam HPO,
Kerala, India
PIN-682 011.

7-Sep-2008