INDIA - OFFICIALS 1937-39 10r purple & claret opt, SG O138, NHM

George VI India Officials 1937–39 10 Rupees Purple & Claret, Overprinted “SERVICE” (SG O138), is one of the highest-denomination stamps of the George VI Official series issued for use by government departments during the late British India period. Produced by overprinting the contemporary high-value definitive stamp with the word “SERVICE,” it was intended exclusively for official governmental correspondence and administrative purposes. The stamp features the portrait of King George VI in an engraved design printed in striking purple and claret colours, reflecting its high face value and restricted postal usage. Owing to its limited official distribution and comparatively lower survival rate in pristine condition, the 10 Rupees value is among the more desirable stamps of the Official series. This example is preserved in Never Hinged Mint (NHM) condition, retaining full original gum without hinge marks, a quality highly valued by philatelists and collectors of British India Official issues.