American Bible Society : Cinderella Stamps

 

Pakistan 2013 Pakistan Bible Society

 

The Pakistan Bible Society (PBS) is a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to making the Bible accessible to all people in Pakistan, regardless of language, literacy, or economic status. Established in 1863 as the Punjab Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, it has been serving the Christian community for over 160 years .

India 2010 Bible Society of India

The Bible Society of India is a Christian organization and a member of the United Bible Societies. The mission of the Bible Society is to bring the Word of God to people in languages and formats they can understand. Working closely with several organizations in Bible India, it strives to translate the Bible into the various languages spoken in the country. Presently, the Bible is accessible in 74 Indian languages, and the New Testament in 92 more languages. 

In recognition of the growth and development of the Bible Society of India, the Indian Postal Department issued a postage stamp in the name of the Bible Society of India stamp in 2010. The Braille Bible is available for visually impaired individuals in 15 Indian languages, and the Scriptures are offered in 48 languages.

Sri Lanka 1987 Ceylon Bible Society

The 1987 stamp, issued on October 2, marked CBS’s 175th anniversary. It featured a multi-colored design and was printed using offset techniques by Security Printers Malaysia. The stamp's face value was 5.75 Sri Lankan rupees .

This issue served not only as a philatelic tribute but also as a public acknowledgment of CBS’s contributions to Christian unity and literacy in Sri Lanka. The stamp underscored CBS’s role in translating and distributing the Bible in local languages, including Sinhala and Tamil, and its efforts to make the Scriptures accessible to all people at highly subsidized prices .

Founded on August 1, 1812, the CBS was originally known as the Colombo Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Established during British colonial rule with the support of Anglican missionaries, it aimed to circulate the Holy Scriptures without commentary, particularly to native Christians in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) .

Over the years, CBS has evolved into a non-denominational, ecumenical organization. While it serves various Christian denominations—including Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant communities—it does not replace their missions but acts as a resource center for Bible distribution and related materials .

In 1975, CBS was incorporated under Sri Lankan law as the General Council of the Ceylon Bible Society, granting it legal status and the authority to translate, publish, and distribute the Scriptures in Sinhala, Tamil, and English 

South West Africa ( SWA ) 1970 South African Bible Society

In 1970, South West Africa issued a commemorative stamp series to mark the 150th anniversary of the Bible Society. This series featured two stamps:

2½c Stamp: Depicts a sower in stained glass, symbolizing the dissemination of the Bible. 

12½c Stamp: Features an image of the Bible itself, highlighting its central role in the mission of the Bible Society.

 

 
Both stamps were printed using photogravure on phosphorescent paper with a comb perforation of 14. They bear the watermark "RSA" in triangles and were issued on August 24, 1970.

South Africa ( RSA ) 1970 South Africa Bible Society

The 1970 South Africa Bible Society stamps were issued on August 24, 1970, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Bible Society of South Africa. This set featured two stamps:

12½c Stamp: Depicted the word "BIBLIA" in bold letters, emphasizing the Bible's central role in the society's mission.
2½c Stamp: Illustrated a stained-glass window design, symbolizing the dissemination of the Bible's teachings.

Both stamps were printed using photogravure on phosphorescent paper and featured the RSA watermark in a triangle. They were perforated comb 14. The set was designed to highlight the Bible Society's longstanding efforts in promoting Bible literacy and distribution.