First Arabian stamp exhibition gears up for launch

Stamp collectors from around the world will be flocking to Sharjah later on this month, as the emirate prepares to show some of the Middle East’s most prestigious collections.

The first Sharjah Arabian Stamp Exhibition, launched by the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA), will take place at the Sharjah Mega Mall from September 22-27.

Abdulla Khoory, president of the EPA, said: “We are very excited about organising the first ever Arabian stamp exhibition, and delighted that Mega Mall is hosting it. The exhibition forms part of an ambition to encourage locals to embrace their history and Islamic culture, which we believe stamps play a major role in. This event is about education.”

The new event is another booster for the emirate’s reputation as a centre for Arabic cultural events. Sharjah was named as Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 last year.

Among the exhibits is a rare collection of stamps made in Iraq during the 1917-1923 British occupation of the country, including one stamp that is entirely unique.

Iraqi Freddy Klatastchy, a collector who moved to London in 1973, said: “My two most valuable items would be a cover with a pair of Baghdad in British Occupation stamps, one of which has the word Baghdad missing, which is the only copy known.

The other item is a multiple of eight of the 6 annas Iraq in British Occupation stamp issued in 1918 with two stamps missing the central vignette. Again these are the only two known copies.”