Choonilal Devkaran Nanjee
Choonilal Devkaran Nanjee | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1890 India |
| Died | 1948 Bombay, India |
| Other names | C. D. Desai |
| Occupation(s) | Commodity trader, financier, philatelist |
| Known for | Founding director of Devkaran Nanjee Banking Co. Ltd. (Dena Bank), contributions to Indian philately |
Choonilal Devkaran Nanjee (1890–1948), who was also referred to as C. D. Desai, was an influential Indian commodity trader, financier, and distinguished philatelist during the twentieth century.
Financial career
Desai held the position of senior partner at Messrs. Devkaran Nanjee and Sons, a firm specializing in brokerage services for stocks, cotton, bullion, and currency exchange. He fulfilled the role of honorary Treasurer at the Bombay Stock Exchange and played a pivotal role as a founding director of Devkaran Nanjee Banking Co. Ltd., established on 26 May 1938, which later became known as Dena Bank. His brother, Pranlal Devkaran Nanjee, was also involved in this enterprise.
Philatelic career
Desai is credited with important findings related to India's 1854 lithographed postage stamps and assembled an outstanding collection of classic issues, aided by Jal Cooper. His assemblage featured exceptionally rare pieces, including the sole unused block of 14 white Scinde Dawk stamps and the most exemplary specimen of the 1854 Head Inverted Four Annas stamp, both preserved as cut squares and on original covers.
Jal Cooper acknowledged Desai's leading status within Indian philately and emphasized his extensive support provided to stamp dealers across the country.
Together with Sir Eric Studd, Desai identified the 1854 One Anna Red Die I "Substituted Transfer" and uncovered the typographed Two Annas yellowish grey-green stamp printed on a previously unknown One Anna watermark paper. This watermark variation was further explored in a comprehensive study by Markand Dave FRPSL published in 2010, which referenced Desai’s initial discoveries.
Following his passing, Desai’s collection was sold in an auction consisting of 917 lots conducted by Messrs Robson Lowe on 25–26 May 1949, prominently featuring his "Scinde Dawk" stamps along with India’s 1854 issues.
He was honored as a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London.
Death
Desai passed away in Bombay in 1948. His legacy continued through his son, Lalitchandra C. D. Nanjee, who subsequently assumed leadership roles as Chairman of Dena Bank, Devkaran Nanjee Insurance Co., and Devkaran Nanjee Investment Co.