Five different official seal designs have been recorded to date from Iraq. All are kingdom era seals, and there were likely later types used that haven't yet been seen.
Catalog: Drummond OS1, Nierinck #351231
Date issued: Unknown, EKU November 9, 1929
Printing: Black on cream
Perforation: Imperforate
Inscription: Bilingual English/Arabic "Found open or damaged / and officially secured."
Control Number: "S. 13." at upper left
Description: Badly damaged 1935 cover from England to Baghdad, Iraq recovered from wreck of Imperial Airways Flying Boat "City of Khartoum", which crashed on approach to Alexandria, Egypt on December 31st. Backflap sealed with Iraqi official seal, which is tied by partial Baghdad datestamp. Endorsed on reverse in pencil "Received from / City of Khartoum".
Catalog: Drummond OS3
Date issued: Unknown
Printing: Black on cream
Perforation: Imperforate
Inscription: Bilingual English/Arabic "FOUND OPEN OR DAMAGED AND OFFICIALLY SECURED."
Control Number: "S. 14." at upper left
Description: Large (approximately 11.3" long x 8.7" high) circa 1935 "Empire de Perse / Ministere des Postes, Telegraphes / et Telephones" inscribed corner card official stampless air mail cover from Abadan, Iran to London, England damaged in transit through Iraq and repaired with 1-1/2 Iraqi official seals.
Note the manuscript "Iran" written over the crossed out "Perse". Iran officially changed its name from Persia on March 21, 1935 and this envelope was therefore likely used sometime during 1935 before new stocks were prepared.
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- Buying, Selling, & Trading Officially Sealed Mails of the World - |
by T. Hirn
E-mail:thirn@poseal.com
Updated December 2, 2007