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KUWAIT

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Note: on my website many of the pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the catalogue;
contact me if you want to purchase it.

From 1923 Kuwait issued its own stamps.

King George V stamps of India overprinted "KUWAIT"

1/2 a green (postage & revenue), 1/2 a green (postage, 1934), 1 a brown (postage & revenue), 1 a brown (postage), 1 1/2 a brown, 2 a lilac (postage), 2 a lilac (postage & revenue), 2 a red (postage & revenue, 1933), 2 a red (postage, 1934), 2 a 6 p blue, 3 a orange, 3 a blue (1924), 3 a red (1933), 4 a green (postage), 4 a green (postage & revenue, 1933), 6 a yellow-brown, 8 a lilac, 12 a red, 1 R green and brown, 2 R yellow and red, 5 R lilac and blue, 10 R red and green.

Overprinted "KUWAIT" on airmail stamps (1933): 2 a green, 3 a blue, 4 a green, 6 a yellow (1934).

Overprinted "KUWAIT" on official stamps ("SERVICE"): 1/2 a green (postage & revenue), 1 a brown (postage & revenue), 1 1/2 a brown, 2 a lilac (postage), 2 a lilac (postage & revenue), 2 a 6 p blue, 3 a orange, 3 a blue (1924), 4 a green (postage), 4 a green (postage & revenue), 8 a lilac, 12 a red, 1 R green and brown, 2 R yellow and red, 5 R lilac and blue, 10 R red and green, 15 R green and blue.

Koweit non-issued stamp, image obtained from http://www.sandafayre.com

These stamps of India were also prepared with overprint "KOWEIT" instead of "KUWAIT", but were not issued: 1/2 a green, 1 a brown, 1 1/2 a brown, 2 a lilac, 2 a 6 p blue, 3 a orange, 4 a green, 6 a yellow-brown, 8 a lilac, 12 a red, 1 R green and brown, 2 R yellow and red, 5 R lilac and blue, 10 R red and green. Also some official stamps ("SERVICE" overprint) were prepared with overprint "KOWEIT": 1/2 a green, 1 a brown, 1 1/2 a brown, 2 a lilac, 2 a 6 p blue, 3 a orange, 4 a green, 8 a lilac, 1 R green and brown, 2 R yellow and red, 5 R lilac and blue, 10 R red and green, 15 R green and blue.

1939 India King George VI issue of India overprinted "KUWAIT"

3 p grey (1945), 1/2 a brown, 1/2 a lilac (different design, 1945), 9 p green (1945), 1 a red, 1 a red (1945, different design), 1 1/2 a violet (1945), 2 a red (Dak runner), 2 a orange (1945), 3 a green (Dak tonga), 3 a blue (1945), 3 1/2 a blue (1945), 4 a brown (mail train), 4 a brown (King George VI, 1945), 6 a blue (mail steamer), 6 a blue (King George VI, 1945), 8 a violet (mail lorry), 8 a violet (King George VI, 1945), 12 a red (mail plane), 12 a red (King George VI, 1945), 14 a lilac (mail plane, 1945), 1 R brown and grey, 2 R brown and violet, 5 R blue and green, 10 R lilac and violet, 15 R green and brown.

1948 Stamps of Great Britain overprinted "KUWAIT" and surcharged in "ANNA", "ANNAS", "RUPEE" or "RUPEES"

1/2 a on 1/2 p green, 1/2 a on 1/2 p orange (1951), 1 a on 1 p red, 1 a on 1 p blue (1951), 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p brown, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green (1951), 2 a on 2 p orange, 2 a on 2 p brown (1951), 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red (1951), 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue (1950), 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green (1951 design, ship), 5 R on 5 Sh red, 5 R on 5 Sh red (1951 design), 10 R on 10 Sh blue (1949), 10 R on 10 Sh (1951 design).

1948 Royal Silver Wedding stamps of Great Britain overprinted "KUWAIT" and surcharged in "ANNAS" or "RUPEES"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 15 R on 1 Pound blue.

1948 Olympic Games stamps of of Great Britain, inscription "OLYMPIC GAMES", overprinted "KUWAIT"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

1949 UPU Stamps of Great Britain, various desings with portrait of King George VI, overprinted "KUWAIT"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

1952 Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "ANNA" or "ANNAS" and "KUWAIT"

1/2 a on 1/2 p orange, 1 a on 1 p blue, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green, 2 a on 2 p brown, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

These stamps with missing 'KUWAIT' (thus only surcharged) were issued in Oman.

1953 Coronation stamps of Great Britain, overprinted "KUWAIT" and value

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 4 a on 4 p blue, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

1955 High value stamps of Great Britain (castles), overprinted "KUWAIT"

2 R on 2 Sh 6 p brown, 5 R on 5 Sh red, 10 R on 10 Sh blue.

1957 New currency, Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in 'NP' (Naye Paise) and "KUWAIT:

1 np on 5 p brown, 3 np on 1/2 p orange, 6 np on 1 p blue, 9 np on 1 1/2 p green, 15 np on 2 1/2 p red, 20 np on 3 p violet, 25 np on 4 p blue, 40 np on 6 p lilac, 50 np on 9 p green, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green.

1958 Issue of first local stamps with portrait of local ruler, inscription "KUWAIT"

ADEN

Before Aden issued its own stamps in 1937, it used stamps of India, example:

('124' cancel of Aden)

The numeral cancel '124' (as shown above) was used in Aden.

(Another stamp of India with an "ADEN" cancel)

"ADEN CANTONMENT" cancel on 3 a stamp of India

"ADEN" in a square with inner circle. The same "ADEN" cancel and additional security overprint "LT" (for Luke Thomas, a British firm in Aden).

(A French stamp on a postcard cancelled in Aden)

1937 Image of a ship (dhow)

The first postage stamps in Aden were issued in 1937; they show the image of a ship. The following values were issued:

  1/2 a green
  9 p green
  1 a brown
  2 a red
  2 1/2 a
  3 a red
  3 1/2 a blue
  8 a lilac
  1 R brown
  2 R orange
  5 R violet
  10 R olive

1937 Inscription "12th MAY 1937" portrait of King and Queen (design identical to that of many other British colonies)

For stamps in the same design, but for another British colony, click here

  1 a brown
  2 1/2 a blue
  3 1/2 a violet 

1938 King George VI, various designs in the center

  1/2 a green (Aidrus mosque)
  3/4 a brown (man on camel)
  1 a blue (the harbour)
  1 1/2 a red (Adenese dhow)
  2 a brown (design as 1/2 a)
  2 1/2 a blue (Mukalla)
  3 a red and brown (capture of Aden)
  8 a orange (design as 2 1/2 a)
  14 a blue and brown (1945, design as 3 a)
  1 R green (design as 1 1/2 a)
  2 R lilac and grey (design as 1 a)
  5 R olive and brown (design as 3/4 a)
  10 R violet and brown (design as 3 a) 

Surcharged in 'Cents' and 'Shilling' (1951)
  5 c on 1 a
  10 c on 2 a
  15 c on 2 1/2 a
  20 c on 3 a
  30 c on 8 a
  50 c on 8 a
  70 c on 14 a
  1 Sh on 1 R
  2 Sh on 2 R
  5 Sh on 5 R
  10 Sh on 10 R 

I've seen the 1/2 a and 1 a with a forged so-called Madame Joseph cancel "ADEN 28 MAR 42" in a small singular circle.

1946 Peace and Victory issue, identical to sets issued in many other British colonies, inscription "8th JUNE 1946"

For stamps in a similar design, but for another British colony, click here

  1 1/2 a red
  2 1/2 a blue 

1949 Royal Silver wedding, identical to sets issued in many other British colonies, inscription "1923-1948", image of King and Queen

For stamps in a similar design, but for another British colony, click here

Inscription: 'ADEN'1 1/2 a red (smaller size) and 10 R lilac.

Also inscription 'ADEN QU'AITI STATE OF SHIHR AND MUKALLA': 1 1/2 a red, 5 R green.

or inscription 'ADEN KAHTHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN': 1 1/2 a red, 5 R green.

1949 UPU issue (design similar to many other British colonies)

For stamps in a similar design, but for another British colony, click here

Inscription 'ADEN': 2 1/2 a on 20 c blue, 3 a on 30 c red, 8 a on 50 c orange and 1 R on 1 Sh blue.

Also inscription 'ADEN QU'AITI STATE OF SHIHR AND MUKALLA': 2 1/2 a on 20 c blue, 3 a on 30 c red, 8 a on 50 c orange and 1 R on 1 Sh blue.

Also with inscription 'ADEN KAHTHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN': 2 1/2 a on 20 c blue, 3 a on 30 c red, 8 a on 50 c orange and 1 R on 1 Sh blue.

1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, inscription "CORONATION JUNE 1953", design identical to many other British colonies

For stamps in a similar design, but for other British colonies, click here

Inscription 'ADEN': 15 c green and black

Also inscription 'ADEN QU'AITI STATE OF SHIHR AND MUKALLA': 15 c green and black

Also with inscription 'ADEN KAHTHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN': 15 c green and black.

1953 Queen Elizabeth permanent set, various designs

5 c green, 10 c orange (camels), 15 c green (crater), 25 c red (mosque), 35 c blue (dhow), 50 c blue (map), 70 c black (salt works), 1 Sh violet and black (dhow building), 1 Sh 25 c black and blue (arms), 2 Sh red and brown (Aden protectorate levy), 5 Sh blue and brown (crater pass), 10 Sh olive and brown, 10 Sh grey and black, 20 Sh violet and brown.

Overprinted 'REVISED CONSTITUTION' (in red): 1 Sh 25 c

Overprinted with arabic text in red: 15 c green.

1963 Freedom from hunger, design identical to many other British colonies

For stamps in a similar design, but for another British colony, click here

  1 Sh 25 c green 

Other stamps were issued for 'Qu'aiti State of Shihr and Mukalla' (1942 onwards), 'Kathiri State of Seiyun' (1942 onwards).

Furthermore Mahra State (South Arabia) issued 11 stamps with the image of a flag in 1967.

Fiscal stamp of India (Foreign Bill). Cancel with "ADEN COAL Co LTD ADEN" on top, date in the center and "ADEN" below.

King George V fiscal type of India with "ADEN REVENUE" inscription

"ADEN REVENUE" (1937?) 2 a, 3 a, 4 a, 6 a, 8 a, 12 a green with black text
               1 R, 2 R, 3 R, 4 R, 5 R, 10 R lilac with black text

King George VI fiscal type of India with "ADEN REVENUE" inscription

"ADEN REVENUE" (1945? for Aden) 2 a, 4 a, 8 a, 12 a lilac with black text
               1 R, 2 R, 3 R, 4 R, 5 R, 10 R blue with black text

BAHRAIN

The stamps of India were used in Bahrain before 1933. Bahrain issued stamps from 1933 onwards, they fall outside the scope of this book, but I will give an example:

1933 King George V stamps of India, overprinted "BAHRAIN"

(Reduced sized image)

3 p grey, 1/2 a green (Postage & Revenue), 1/2 a green (Postage, 1935), 9 p green, 1 a brown (Postage & Revenue), 1 a brown (Postage, 1935), 1 a 3 p lilac, 2 a red (Postage & Revenue), 2 a red (Postage, 1935), 3 a blue, 3 a 6 p blue, 4 a green (Postage & Revenue), 4 a green (Postage, 1935), 8 a lilac, 12 a red, 1 R green and brown, 2 R yellow and red, 5 R lilac and blue.

1938 King George VI stamps of India, overprinted "BAHRAIN"

Small sizes: 3 p grey, 3 p grey (king in ellipse design, 1943), 1/2 a brown, 1/2 a lilac (1945), 9 p green, 9 p green (king in ellipse design, 1943), 1 a red, 1 a 3 p yellow (1943), 2 a red (1942), 3 a blue (1945), 3 1/2 a blue (1942), 4 a brown (1942), 6 a blue (1942), 8 a blue (1942), 12 a red (1942).

Larger sized stamps: 2 a red (Dak runner 1939), 3 a green (Dak tonga, 1941), 3 a 6 p blue (camel), 4 a brown (mail train, 1941), 8 a violet (mail lorry, 1940), 12 a red (mail plane, 1940).

Even larger size: 1 R brown and grey, 2 R brown and violet, 5 R blue and green, 10 R lilac and violet (1941), 15 R green and brown (1941), 25 R violet and blue (1941).

I have seen a forged inverted 'BAHRAIN' overprint on a 3 a green stamp; the overprint is not horizontally aligned properly.

1946 The 1946 victory issue of India was used in Bahrain without overprint

1948 marked the end of the Indian Postal Administration, from now onwards stamps of Great Britain were used with overprint.

1948 Stamps of Great Britain overprinted "BAHRAIN" and surcharged in "ANNA", "ANNAS", "RUPEE" or "RUPEES"

1/2 a on 1/2 p green, 1/2 a on 1/2 p orange (1951), 1 a on 1 p red, 1 a on 1 p blue (1951), 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p brown, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green (1951), 2 a on 2 p orange, 2 a on 2 p brown (1951), 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red (1951), 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue (1949), 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green (1951 design, ship), 5 R on 5 Sh red, 5 R on 5 Sh red (1951 design), 10 R on 10 Sh blue (1949), 10 R on 10 Sh (1951 design).

These stamps without overprint 'BAHRAIN' (thus only with new value) were issued for Oman.

1948 Royal Silver Wedding stamps of Great Britain overprinted "BAHRAIN" and surcharged in "ANNAS" or "RUPEES"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 15 R on 1 Pound blue.

1948 Olympic Games stamps of of Great Britain, inscription "OLYMPIC GAMES", overprinted "BAHRAIN"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

An error exists of the 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p: double overprint (only one sheet of 120 stamps known).

1949 UPU Stamps of Great Britain, various desings with portrait of King George VI, overprinted "BAHRAIN"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

1952 Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "ANNA" or "ANNAS" and "BAHRAIN"

1/2 a on 1/2 p orange, 1 a on 1 p blue, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green, 2 a on 2 p brown, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

The 1/2 a on 1/2 p orange exist with missing '1/2'.

These stamps with missing 'BAHRAIN' (thus only surcharged) were issued in Oman.

1953 Coronation stamps of Great Britain, overprinted "BAHRAIN" and value

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 4 a on 4 p blue, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

1953 The first local stamp of Bahrain (thus not overprinted) was issued in 1953

1 1/2 a red (Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa); in 1957 more values were added: 3 p green, 6 p red and 9 p grey.

1955 High value stamps of Great Britain (castles), overprinted "BAHRAIN"

2 R on 2 Sh 6 p brown, 5 R on 5 Sh red, 10 R on 10 Sh blue.

1957 New currency, Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "NP" (Naye Paise) and "BAHRAIN"

1 np on 5 p brown, 3 np on 1/2 p orange, 6 np on 1 p blue, 9 np on 1 1/2 p green, 12 np on 2 p brown, 15 np on 2 1/2 p red, 20 np on 3 p violet, 25 np on 4 p blue, 40 np on 6 p lilac, 50 np on 9 p green, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green.

1960 onwards, not implemented.

Postal stationery of India, used in Bahrain in 1888:

OMAN (Muscat)

The stamps of India were used in Oman. The earliest stamps with Queen Victoria can be recognized by the '23' numeral cancel of Muscat.

The stamps of Oman also seem to have been used in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar.

1944 Al Bu-Said dynasty centenary, stamps of India (King George VI), overprinted wtih arabic text

3 p grey, 1/2 a lilac, 9 p green, 1 a red, 1 1/2 a violet, 2 a red, 3 a blue, 3 1/2 a blue, 4 a brown, 6 a blue, 8 a blue, 12 a red, 14 a lilac (earoplane), 1 R brown and grey, 2 R brown and violet,

1944 Official stamps of India (King George VI), overprinted with arabic text as shown above on the previous issue

3 p grey, 1/2 a violet, 9 p green, 1 a red, 1 1/2 a lilac, 2 a orange, 2 1/2 a violet, 4 a brown, 8 a blue, 1 R brown and grey (with 'SERVICE' overprint).

1948 Stamps of Great Britain (King George VI), overprinted in "ANNA", "ANNAS", "RUPEE" or "RUPEES"

1/2 a on 1/2 p green, 1/2 a on 1/2 a orange (1951), 1 a on 1 p red, 1 a on 1 p blue (1951), 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p brown, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green (1951), 2 a on 2 p orange, 2 a on 2 p brown (1951), 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red (1951), 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue (1950), 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green (large sized stamp), 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p green (1951 design, ship).

1948 Royal Silver Wedding stamps of Great Britain, surcharged in "ANNAS" or "RUPEES"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 15 R on 1 Pound blue.

1948 Olympic Games stamps of of Great Britain, inscription "OLYMPIC GAMES", overprinted "BAHRAIN"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

1949 UPU Stamps of Great Britain, various desings with portrait of King George VI, overprinted "BAHRAIN"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p blue, 3 a on 3 p violet, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 1 R on 1 Sh brown.

1952 Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "ANNA" or "ANNAS"

1/2 a on 1/2 p orange, 1 a on 1 p blue, 1 1/2 a on 1 1/2 p green, 2 a on 2 p brown, 2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 3 a on 3 p violet, 4 a on 4 p blue, 6 a on 6 p lilac, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

1953 Coronation stamps of Great Britain, surcharged in "ANNAS" or "RUPEE"

2 1/2 a on 2 1/2 p red, 4 a on 4 p blue, 12 a on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

1955 High value stamps of Great Britain (castles), overprinted in Rupees

2 R on 2 Sh 6 p brown, 5 R on 5 Sh red

1957 New currency, definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "NP" (Naye Paise)

1 np on 5 p brown, 3 np on 1/2 p orange, 6 np on 1 p blue, 9 np on 1 1/2 p green, 12 np on 2 p brown, 15 np on 2 1/2 p red, 20 np on 3 p violet, 25 np on 4 p blue, 40 np on 6 p lilac, 50 np n 9 p green, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green.

New currency (Gulf Rupee, 1960): 1 np on 5 p brown, 3 np on 1/2 p orange, 5 np on 1 p blue, 6 np on 1 p blue, 10 np on 1 1/2 p green, 12 np on 2 p brown, 20 np on 3 p violet, 30 np on 4 1/2 p brown, 40 np on 6 p lilac, 50 np on 9 p green. 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 6 p blue.

1957 Jubilee Jamboree stamps of Great Britain, surcharged in "NP"

15 np on 2 1/2 p red, 25 np 4 p blue, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green.

1966 First issue with inscription 'MUSCAT & OMAN'

Qatar

1957 Definitive stamps of Great Britain of 1952 (Queen Elizabeth II), overprinted in "NP" (Naye Paise) or "RUPEE" and "QATAR"

1 np on 5 p brown, 3 np on 1/2 p orange, 6 np on 1 p blue, 9 np on 1 1/2 p green, 12 np on 2 p brown, 15 np on 2 1/2 p red, 20 np on 3 p violet, 25 np on 4 p blue, 40 np on 6 p lilac, 50 np n 9 p green, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green, 1 R on 1 Sh 3 p blue, 2 R on 2 Sh 6 p brown (castle), 5 R on 5 Sh red (castle), 10 R on 10 Sh blue (castle).

1957 Jubilee Jamboree of Great Britain, overprinted "QATAR" and surcharged in "NP"

15 np 2 1/2 p red, 25 np on 4 p blue, 75 np on 1 Sh 3 p green.

1961 The first stamps for Qatar with inscription 'QATAR' were issued with a portrait of the local ruler

Websites

A very nice site with stamps of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar can be found at http://www.qatar-stamps.com/

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer