The Poor Man's Smoke: A Postal Study of Indian Beedi Trade (1919 to 1992)

This exhibit explores the historically unexplored subject of the Indian beedi trade through a specialized postal study spanning from 1919 to 1992. The primary aim is to present trade correspondence using illustrated postal covers and postcards, highlighting both the intricate railway mail routes and social philatelic elements like specific brands and manufacturers. The curated material exclusively features covers and postcards bearing screen-printed labels or pasted advertisements, as standalone beedi wrappers without postal context are intentionally excluded. Highlights of this rare material include the earliest known 1919 postcard featuring the Ramkrishna Chaap beedi trademark, along with WWII-era items demonstrating the industry's rapid expansion.

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