After 16 years, the National Stamp Show, Inpex, has returned to Mumbai.

The stamp show, organised by the Philatelic Society of India and India Post, will take place over five days at the World Trade Centre and will showcase several rare stamps including the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, released on May 1, 1840 in London and three Scinde Dawk stamps, issued in 1852.

One of the earliest, a red colour Scinde Dawk stamp

These stamps were used to replace the original Scinde Dawk, a very old postal system of runners that served in the Indus Valley of Sindh. While the red, is a wafer like stamp made of wax, the white and blue stamps were made from paper.u00a0

The National Stamp Show, held every four years, will display nearly 800 frames. Also on display will be a series of stamps inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, religion, objects and plants.

A major highlight of the show will be the personalised stamps booth, where visitors can get their faces printed on stamps for souvenir purposes. India Post has availed of 25,000 sheets so visitors are not disappointed by the lack of the service. Inpex 2013 will also see a live auction of selected stamps by Todywalla Auctions on the second and third day.u00a0

On February 21-25, 11 am to 6.30 pm (10 am to 5.30 pm on Feb 23); At World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade; Log on to www.psi1897.comu00a0