The Society | News | Membership | Events | Publications | Guides | Library | Experts | Links | Home

The Stamps of Iraq 1917-1958

Freddy Khalastchy, FRPSL

13 March 2008

FRAMES 1-14

These frames show the first stamps issued specifically for Iraq. Ottoman stamps were used until the capture of Baghdad by General Maude on 11th March 1917. Sir Percy Cox the Civil Commissioner wanted to issue stamps to show that the British controlled Baghdad. These were going to be modeled on the Bushire stamps that were issued in 1915.

It took nearly 6 months before the Baghdad provisionals appeared. These were overprints done locally on various Ottoman stamps collected from various post offices and merchants. All 25 issued stamps are shown in used and unused condition. At least one of every stamp is also shown used on cover. Large multiples and most of the known varieties are also included. Nearly two thirds of all known covers bearing Baghdad adhesive stamps are on display.

When the overprinting was carried out it was realised that some of the stamps existed in very small numbers and therefore it was decided not to issue them. Most of these stamps ended up in three major collections namely the Royal, the Marquis of Bute and the Major White collections. Copies of all unissued stamps are shown.

The last day of availability at the post office of the Baghdad provisionals was 17th September 1917. General Maude had four complete sets cancelled on that date. One set was retained by him and the others were given to H.M. King George V, H.M. the King of Egypt and Viscount Acheson who later became the Earl of Gosford.

The set that belonged to H.M. King George V is also shown (apparently H.M. the King did not like used stamps and he often sold them or exchanged them with other collectors).

L to R: 2 Annas from King George presentation set. 2 Annas unissued stamps, one bisected

FRAMES 15-20

As soon as the Baghdad stamps were issued plans were put in motion to issue stamps for the whole territory of Iraq. These were finally issued on 1st September 1918. They were also overprints on Ottoman stamps. However, the Ottoman stamps were specifically printed and overprinted by Bradbury Wilkinson (as they had printed the stamps originally for Turkey in 1914).

The stamps were first printed on unwatermarked paper but later some of the values were reprinted on Crown CA watermarked paper. All the issued stamps with proofs, specimen and all the major varieties are shown.

FRAMES 21-24

Mosul was captured by the British in November 1918 after the Armistice. As both the British and French were claiming responsibility for it, Britain did not want to anger the French by using 'Iraq in British Occupation' stamps so special stamps were issued for Mosul.

Turkish revenue stamps were overprinted in Baghdad 'I.E.F. D Postage' plus a value in annas. They were printed in panes of 25 and these are shown in complete used and unused panes.

The majority of known varieties plus commercial covers, some containing both Mosul and Iraq stamps are also shown.

On show too are the only two known manuscript surcharged stamps used in Erbil in December 1918.

FRAMES 25-28

As early as 1919 the British Administration in Iraq started planning a stamp issue for Iraq. It seems that at least one printer other than Bradbury Wilkinson (namely Waterlow) had submitted designs which were unadopted.

Hand-painted essays submitted by Waterlow plus Bradbury Wilkinson die proofs specimen and all the issued stamps plus some large multiples are shown here.

10 Rupees die proof	Waterlow hand painted essay

FRAME 29

This frame shows the stamps that were issued in Kurdistan by Sheikh Mahmoud around 1923 when he declared himself King of Kurdistan. Also on show are the different Motor mail and Overland mail labels in unused condition plus used on covers.

Kurdistan Issue	Overland Mail Label

FRAMES 30-34

These frames show hand-painted essays for unadopted air and motor mail designs plus the different railway stamps that were used in Iraq. Letters could be carried by rail from remote towns to main post offices for onward transmission either nationally or internationally. The appropriate postage plus air mail fee had to be paid in addition to the railway surcharge. On show too are the 1 rupee first portrait stamp of 1927 plus a hand-painted essay, proofs, specimen and the issued stamps and postal stationery cards of the 1931 King Faisal I.

1931 King Faisal I	First portrait stamp of 1927

FRAMES 35-39

On 1st April 1932 Iraq changed its currency from the Indian anna and rupee to a new Iraqi currency denominated in fils and dinar. Since the new stamps ordered from Bradbury Wilkinson had not arrived yet, the old stamps were overprinted locally with the new currency. All the issued stamps with all the major varieties are shown.

1932 Essays	1 dinar on 25 rupees (largest known multiple)	20 instead of 25 in English

FRAMES 40-41

The stamps in the new currency finally arrived in Iraq and were put on sale on 9th May 1932. Proofs and specimens of the ordinary, official and revenue series are shown including all the issued stamps.

This frame shows the first air mail letter card in the world which was first issued in Iraq plus hand-painted essays for unadopted air mail stamps

These frames show essays, die proofs and specimens of King Ghazi. On show also are high values used on commercial covers.

½ dinar proof	5 dinars revenue specimen

FRAME 42

This frame shows the first air mail letter card in the world which was first issued in Iraq plus hand-painted essays for unadopted air mail stamps.

FRAMES 43-44

These frames show essays, die proofs and specimens of King Ghazi. On show also are high values used on commercial covers.

 

FRAMES 45-47

The only postage stamps printed by De La Rue for Iraq up to 1958 were the 1941 historical landmarks stamps. Proofs, specimens plus all the issued stamps and the famous cloud and re- entry varieties are shown here.

FRAMES 48-52

These final frames show hand-painted essays and die proofs of various issued and unadopted designs for King Faisal II. He ascended the throne at the age of four and was killed at the age of twenty three. In those nineteen years many designs at different ages were made and the majority of them are shown.

King Faisal II	King Faisal II	King Faisal II

Double overprint	Pair one without overprint

 

The Society | News | Membership | Events | Publications | Guides | Library | Experts | Links | Home