The 1972 Surcharges - Missing 5
The setting of the surcharge was 10x4 and the work was initially thought to have been done perfectly. However, two errors have eventually turned up being one stamp with a missing Arabic "2" and one with a missing Arabic "5". Based on a block of 28 in my collection each sheet has two of each error. The missing 5 appears on the bottom stamp right above the Harrison and Sons LTD writing in the margin. This position is Row 12 Column 5 while the other missing 5 is found in Row 8 Column 5. Should this be the only place where the error occurs then it is fair to concluded that 2000 copies of each error exists. Stanley Gibbons reports the figures to be 2 errors of each per sheet.
Definitive
The 1972 Definitive Issue
The 1972 definitive issue was the first definitive issue following the renaming of the country to Sultanate of Oman. The set consist of 12 stamps, which were issued in 3 different sizes - each size depicting one of three Oman Harbours in the year of 1809. The first 4 stamps (20.32x24.13mm) 5, 10, 20 & 25 Baiza show Matrah Habour. The next 4 stamps (24.13x28.45mm) 30, 40, 50 & 75 Baiza show Shinas Harbour and the last 4 stamps (27.94x44.45mm) 100 Baiza, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 Rial show Muscat Habour.
The set was re-issued on several occasions up to 1982:
11th September 1972: 5, 10, 20 and 25 Baiza
17th November 1972: 30, 40, 50 and 75 Baiza
12th April 1976: 30, 40, 50, 75 and 100 Baiza plus ½ and 1 Rial
21st January 1978: 5, 10, 25 Baiza plus ¼ Rial
15th March 1982: 20 Baiza
Each of these mentioned reprints can be distinguished by the watermark.
Definitive
Olympic Summer Games in Munich – 1972
On 31 July 1968 Dubai issued its last set of stamps being a set of six stamps commemorating the Summer Olympic Games in Munich. The values were 35dh, 40dh, 65dh, 75dh, 1rl and 1.25rls.
Commemorative
The U.A.E. Provisional Issue - 1972
The final “Abu Dhabi” issue was the 1972 U.A.E. Provisional Issue, which saw stamps from Abu Dhabi’s fourth definitive issue overprinted with UAE and the “Abu Dhabi” obliterated.
The first three stamps to be issued were the 5 Fils, 10 Fils and 60 Fils stamps, which were issued on the 1st of August 1972. The next two stamps to be released were the 50 Fils and 90 Fils stamps but the release date of the two stamps is not known and no FDC exists. As for the remaining seven stamps no date of issue is known. The provisional set consists of a total of 12 values: 5 Fils, 10 Fils, 25 Fils, 35 Fils, 50 Fils, 60 Fils, 70 Fils, 90 Fils, 125 Fils, 150 Fils, 500 Fils and 1 Dinar.
The study of the UAE overprints reveals that appearances of many of these stamps are non-identical. This characteristic has left the overprints with many varieties.
The first definitive issue of the U.A.E. was released on the 1st of January 1973 and superseded the provisional U.A.E. issue.
Definitive
The U.A.E. Provisional Issue – Inverted Stamps - 1972
Before the actual release the print set must have been run through for trial. Some of the first trial run produced inverted overprints. As such the inverted overprints known on the 5 Fils and 10 Fils should not be considered errors as they were never issued but rather be considered printers waste. Both values were part of the first group of provisional stamps issued. Is there an inverted 60 Fils?
At a 2002 David Feldman Auction the 5 Fils inverted overprint was for sale. The description referred to only one sheet existing – if accurate that means that there are only 50 copies of the 5 Fils stamp.
Definitive
The U.A.E. Provisional Issue – Inverted Stamps - 1972 - FORGERY
Before the actual release the print set must have been run through for trial. Some of the first trial run produced inverted overprints. As such the inverted overprints known on the 5 Fils and 10 Fils should not be considered errors as they were never issued but rather be considered printers waste. Both values were part of the first group of provisional stamps issued. Is there an inverted 60 Fils? At a 2002 David Feldman Auction the 5 Fils inverted overprint was for sale. The description referred to only one sheet existing – if accurate that means that there are only 50 copies of the 5 Fils stamp. There are many questions as to whether this is a forgery made at a later stage given the fact the the overprint does not match that of the normal 10 Fils. Whether or not this is accurate can not be determined given that the actual stamp is exactly what it is - printers waste and as such may not carry the final overprint setting.
Definitive
Oil from the Sea – 1972
In order to celebrate the natural resource of Qatar a set of six stamps was issued depicting different illustrating relating to Oil form the Sea. The values issued were: 1D, 4D, 5D, 35D, 75 Dirhams and 3 Riyals.
Commemorative
Olympic Games in Munich – 1972
To commemorate the Munich Olympic Games in 1972 Kuwait issued a set of eight stamps depicting various sports. The values issued were 2 Fils, 4 Fils, 5 Fils, 8 Fils, 10 Fils, 15Fils, 20 Fils and 25 Fils.
Commemorative
Independence Day – Souvenir Sheet – 1972
In addition to the set of stamps a souvenir sheet depicting the 1.25 Riyal stamp was also issued with a face value of 1.25 Riyal.
Commemorative
Independence Day – 1972
To celebrate the occasion of the Qatar Independence Day in 1972 a set of four stamps were issued with the following values: 10D, 35D, 75 Dirhams and 1.25 Riyal.
Commemorative
11th FAO Near-East Regional Conference – 1972
On the occasion of the 11th FAO Near East Regional Conference held in Kuwait in 1972 a set of three stamps was issued with the values of 5 Fils, 10 Fils and 20 Fils.
Commemorative
20th Anniversary of Kuwait National Bank – 1972
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Kuwait National Bank (NBK) Kuwait issued a set of two stamps. The issued values were 10 Fils and 35 Fils.
Commemorative
United Nations Day – 1972
On the occasion of the United Nations Day in 1972 Qatar issued a set of eight stamps representing different branches of the UN. The values issued were 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 25D, 55 Dirhams and 1 Riyal.
The 1972 Definitive Issue – The Coil Stamps
In addition to the 4th definitive set of stamps issued earlier in 1972 Qatar issued two coil stamps in December 1972 with 10 Dirhams and 25 Dirhams values. They can be distinguished from the similar values from the paper being thinner.
Definitive
The 1973 Definitive Issue – January 1973
Qatar issued its 5th definitive set of stamps in 1973 depicting Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamed Al-Thani. A total of 7 stamps were issued with the following values: 5D, 10D, 20D, 25D, 35D, 55 Dirhams and 75 Dirhams. The 20 Dirhams and 75 Dirhams value was issued in July whereas the rest of the stamps were issued in January.
Definitive
1st Anniversary of Sheikh Khalifa’s Accession – 1973
On the occasion of the 1st anniversary of Sheikh Khalifa’s accession to the throne Qatar issued a set of ten stamps with the following values: 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 15D, 20D, 35D, 55D, 1 Riyal and 1.35 Riyals.
Commemorative
National Day – 1973
To mark the occasion of the 12th National Day Kuwait issued a set of three stamps. The values issued were 10 Fils, 20 Fils and 30 Fils.
Commemorative
World Food Program - 1973
A commemorative set of 2 stamps issued on the occasion of the World Food Program in 1973. The values issued were: 30 Fils and 60 Fils.
