IRAQ 



After the Armistice with the Turkish government on October 31st 1918 a British/Indian force, which was only twelve miles from Mosul when news of the Armistice was received, continued its advance on Mosul in order to make secure the oil fields in what is now northern Iraq. Under the command of Major-General Dunsterville and sometimes called 'Dunsterforce' the occupation force was known as 'Indian Expeditionary Force D'. [The 16th Indian Brigade, part of Indian Expeditionary Force D, had first landed at Fao on 6th November 1914 at the start of the conflict with the Turks.] Under the then secret 1916 'Sykes-Picot' agreement between Britain and France it had been agreed that after the war the Turkish vilayets [administrative areas] of Basra and Baghdad would be under the control of the British while Mosul, the third vilayet of the area, would be under the control of the French. [The areas of these three former vilayets now form Iraq]. After the British occupation of Mosul the French objected to the British using Turkish stamps overprinted "Iraq - in British Occupation" in the Mosul vilayet as the area was to be in the 'Sphere of French Influence' as agreed by Sykes & Picot. The fact that the major oil fields were in the area just might have influenced both their objections and the subsequent British continued occupation until 1925 when the League of Nations decided that the Mosul area should be part of the newly formed Iraq.. The only stamps recovered by the British in Mosul were some Turkish fiscals, so these were sent to Baghdad to be overprinted. The stamps were in sheets of 25 (5 X 5), but the sheet margins were removed for some reason - possibly to make overprinting easier. In the earlier printings a portion of the top margin over the middle stamp was retained [picture of script on 20 Para sheet] as this had Arabic script showing the value of the stamp prior to the surcharge. Exact issue dates are not known but a Postal Notice dated February 1st, 1919 announced that they were on sale. A further Postal Notice dated 28th June 1919 announced that they were still available at face value in Mosul post offices and the Baghdad Head PO after advertisements had been seen offering the stamps above their face values. Only six different values were issued. Stanley Gibbons list these under Iraq - Issues for Mosul in the Part 19 catalogue. Neither Scott nor Michel list them in their catalogues. |
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SG1 1/2 Anna on 1 Pi. Unwatermarked 1914 Hejaz Railway. Inscribed in Arabic in the wavy diagonal bands "receipt for the benefit of the Hejaz Railway". Design shows a camel rider and train with the Prophets Tomb in the background. Stamps available are um/mnh with no gum. |
![]() | SG3 1 Anna on 20 Pi red. Small Toughra of Sultan Mohammed VI. Many available in beautiful um/mnh condition. Very fresh face and full shiny gum. Available in singles, pairs, blocks of 4, 6, and 9. |
![]() | SG4 2.5 Anna on 1 Pi. Small Toughra of Sultan Mohammed VI. Stamps available have no gum but are facially fine and available in pairs and blocks. One complete sheet of 25 available with a few separated perfs on the top row. The 'tab' is missing from this sheet. A few fu stamps also available at same price. |
![]() | SG5 3 Anna on 20 Pi. Large Toughra of Sultan Mohammed V. Stamps available in pairs and blocks. Available in singles and blocks and complete sheets of 25 with 'value tab'.The sheets may have torn perfs and faults |
![]() | SG7 4 Anna on 1 Pi. Large Toughra of Sultan Mohammed V. There are also two sizes of the '4' of the overprint. These stamps have the larger variety of '4'. Stamps available in pairs and blocks. and complete sheets of 25 with 'value tab'.The sheets may have torn perfs and faults |
![]() | SG8 8 Anna on 10 Para. Large Toughra of Sultan Mohammed V. Stamps available in pairs and blocks. and complete sheets of 25 with 'value tab'.The sheets may have torn perfs and faults |
| 1958-60 - O460/81 Fresh um/mnh - 22 values including both types of 1f [O460 & O460b] SG Cat. £200+. Mi. cat |
| 1973 - O1086/96 vf um/mnh - Set of 11 ....£50.00...$75.00..Also available in blocks of 4 pro rata |
| 1973 - O1130a/47a vf um/mnh - Set of 24 ....£125.00...$185.00..Also available in blocks of 4 pro rata. |
The following King Faisal definitives and officials are in fine um/nh condition. Although most are available in small quantities I have insufficient numbers to make complete sets, so all are offered as singles. Scott numbers are given when possible.
Date
SG
Scott
Michel
Description
£....Price....$
1/2/49 MS338 C1/8 ss Blk.2 Perf. or Imperf. Price per 1 sheet [both are available] £20.00....$30.00 26/11/55 383/5 161/3 188/90 Engineers Conference Baghdad £1.80....$2.70 3/3/56 386/8 164/6 191/3 63rd Arab Postal Union Conference, Baghdad. £2.00....$3.00 Apr-Jul1957 389/93 167/71 194/8 Development week £1.60....$2.40 1/6/57 394 172 199 Agriculture & Industry Exhibition, Baghdad £0.40p....$0.60c 13/11/57 395 173 200 Red Crescent Silver Jubilee £2.00....$3.00 1957/8 396/403 174/80 201/8 King Faisal II Definitives £2.25....$3.35 6/1/58 411/4 181/4 213/6 Army Day £2.00....$3.00
Serious collectors of Iraqi overprints need at least the SG Part 19 catalogue.
SG catalogue number, Scott when known, followed by price
| SG291.. Sc124 £0.50p..$0.75c |
SG293.. Sc126 £2.00....$3.00 |
SG294.. Sc127 £1.80....$2.70 |
SG295.. Sc128 £4.50....$6.75 |
* * * |
| SG296.. Sc129 £15.00....$22.50 | SG348.. Sc143 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG349.. Sc144 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG350.. Sc145 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG351.. Sc146 £0.10p...$0.15c |
| SG352.. Sc147 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG353.. Sc148 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG354.. Sc149..£0.55p....$0.80c | SG355.. Sc149a..£0.80p....$1.20 | SG356.. Sc150 £0.50p....$0.75c |
| SG359.. Sc153 £0.50p.....$0.75c |
SGo365.. ScO149 £0.10p....$0.15c | SGo366.. ScO150 £0.10p....$0.15c | SGo367.. ScO151 £0.10p....$0.15c | SGo368.. ScO152 £0.10p....$0.15c |
| SGo368.. ScO152 £0.10p....$0.15c | SGo371.. ScO155 £0.10p....$0.15c | SGo374.. ScO157 £0.90p....$1.35 | SGo375.. ScO158 £0.40p....$0.60c | SGo376 ScO159 £0.20p....$0.30c |
| SGo377.. ScO160 £1.00...$1.50 | SGo378.. ScO161 £5.00....$7.50 | SGo379.. ScO161a £12.00...$18.00 | SGo405.. ScO162a £1.00...$1.50 | SGo408.. ScO162d sold |
| SGo410.. ScO164 £0.75p....$1.10 | SG418.. Sc78 with 'Republic' o/pt £9.00...$13.50 | SG419.. ScO166 £0.20p....$0.30c | SG420.. ScO167 £0.20p....$0.30c | SG421 ScO169 £3.00....$4.50 |
| SG422.. ScO171 £0.20p....$0.40c | SG423.. ScO173 £0.50p....$0.75c | SG424.. ScO176 £4.00....$6.00 | SG425.. ScO177 £10.00....$15.00 | SG426.. ScO178 £0.10p....$0.15c |
| SG427.. ScO179 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG430.. ScO182 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG431.. ScO183 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG432.. ScO183a £0.10p....$0.15c | SG433.. Sc?? £0.25p....$0.35 |
| SG434.. ScO184 £0.75p....$1.12 | SG435.. ScO185 £1.00....$1.50 | SG436.. ScO186 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG437.. ScO187 £0.15p....$0.25c | SG438.. ScO188 £0.25p....$0.35c |
| SG439.. ScO189 £3.00....$4.50 | SG440.. Sc??[75Fils]£1.00....$1.50 | SG441.. ScO191 £2.50....$3.75 | SG442.. Sc??[200Fils] £4.00....$6.00 | SG443.. ScO192 £1.00....$1.50 |
| SG444.. ScO193 £0.10p....$0.15c | SG445.. ScO194 ..£0.10p....$0.15c | SG446.. ScO195 £0.15p....$0.20c | SG447.. ScO196 £0.25p....$0.35c | SG448.. ScO197 £0.25p....$0.35c |
| SG449 ScO198 £0.25p....$0.35c | SG450.. ScO199 £0.25p....$0.35c | SG451.. Sc??[20f] £0.25p....$0.35c | SG452.. Sc??[25f] £0.40p....$0.60c | SG453..Sc??[30f] £0.35p....$0.50c |
| SG454.. Sc??[40f] £0.£1.50....$2.25 | SG455.. Sc??[50f] £0.60p....$0.90c | SG456.. Sc??[75f] £0.60p....$0.90c | SG457.. Sc??[100f] £0.75p....$1.12 | SG458.. Sc??[200f] £4.00....$6.00 |
| SGo459a=£1.50....$2.25 | SGo470=25p....35c | SGo471=40p....60c | SGo472=40p....60c | SGo473=£1....$1.50 |
| SGo475=60p....90c | SGo476=40p....$0.60c | SGo477=£1.50....$2.25 | SGo478=60p....90c | SGo479=£1....$1.50 |
| SGo480=£3.50....$5.25 | SGo481=£7.00 ..$10.00 | SGo482=20p....30c | SGo483=20p....30c | SGo484=20p....30c |
| SGo485=20p....30c | SGo486=25p....35c | SGo487=20p....30c | SGo488=45p....65c | SGo490=£2.25-$3.35 |
| SGo491=sold out | SGo492=20p....30c | SGo493=20p....30c | SGo494=30p....45c | SGo495=30p...45c |
| SGo496=30p....45c | SGo497=60p....90c | SGo498=10p....15c | SGo499=10p....15c | SGo500=10p...15c |
| SGo501=10p....15c | SGo502=10p....15c | SGo503=10p....15c | SGo504=20p....30c | SGo505=20p...30c |
| Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/11/58 | 506 | 227 | 261 | Arab Lawyers Conference, Baghdad. SG385 surcharge. | £0.80p....$1.60 |
| 6/1/59 | 507/9 | 228/30 | 262/4 | Army Day | £1.40....$2.10 |
| 1/6/59 | 511 | 251 | 266 | International Childrens Day. SG388 surcharged. | £0.60p....$0.90c |
| 14/7/59 | 514 | 250 | 267 | Agricultural Reform | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 14/7/59 | 515/25 | 232/42 | 268/78 | Definitives. First 11 issued. (Other values issued 14/7/60) | £4.00....$6.00 |
| 1/2/60 | 537/8 | 258/9 | 292/3 | General Kassims escape from assassination. (1st time lucky!) | £0.85p....$1.25 |
| 10/5/60 | 539 | 260 | 294 | Poet Al-Rasafi Commemoration | £1.40....$2.10 |
| 14/7/60 | 540/5 | 261/6 | 295/300 | 2nd Anniversary of Revolution | £2.80....$4.20 |
| 6/1/61 | 546/51 | 267/72 | 301/6 | Army Day | £1.60....$2.40 |
| 14/7/61 | 563/71 | 278/86 | 312/20 | 3rd Anniversary of Revolution | £4.30....$6.40 |
| 6/1/62 | 572/77 | 287/92 | 321/6 | Army Day | £1.60....$2.40 |
| 14/7/62 | 581/6 | 396/301 | 330/5 | 4th Anniversary of Revolution | £1.30....$1.90 |
| 1/12/62 | 603/6 | 302/5 | 336/9 | Millenary of Baghdad | £1.25....$1.85 |
| 21/12/62 | 609/11 | 314/6 | 340/2 | Malaria Eradication | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 30/12/63 | 640/2 | 336/8 | 370/2 | Red Cross Centenary | £0.70p....$1.00 |
| 6/1/64 | 643/5 | 339/41 | 373/5 | Army Day | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 8/2/64 | 646/7 | 342/3 | 376/7 | 1st Anniversary of 14th of Ramadan Revolution | £0.85p....$1.25 |
| 10/6/64 | 649/51 | 344/6 | 380/2 | 15th Ann. Declaration of Human Rights | £1.70....$2.50 |
| 14/7/64 | 652/5 | 347/50 | 383/6 | 6th Ann. of Revolution | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 28/11/64 | 659/61 | 354/6 | 390/2 | Int. Arab Music Conference Baghdad | £1.25....$1.90 | Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
| 13/12/64 | 662 | 357 | 393 | 9th Arab Engineers Conference, Baghdad | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 21/12/64 | 663/5 | 358/60 | 394/6 | 10th.Ann. Arab Postal Union | £0.90....$1.35 |
| 6/1/65 | 666/8 | 361/3 | 397/9 | Army Day | £0.90p....$1.35 |
| 30/1/65 | 671 | 365 | 402 | Inauguration of Oil Tanker Deep Sea Terminal. | £0.40p....$0.60c |
| 8/2/65 | 672 | 366 | 401 | 2nd Ann. 14th Ramadan Revolution | £0.30p.....$0.45c |
| 6/3/65 | 673/4 | 367/8 | 403/4 | Tree Week | £0.50p....$0.75c |
| 9/4/65 | 678/9 | 372/3 | 408/9 | Deir Yassin Massacre | £0.60p....$0.90c |
| 30/4/65 | 680/2 | 374/6 | 410/12 | World Health Day | £1.25....$1.90 |
| 26/5/65 | 686 | 379 | 415 | 1st Ann. of Iraq UAR pact | £0.20p....$0.30c |
| 7/6/65 | 687/8 | 380/1 | 416/7 | Reconstitution of Algiers Library | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 30/6/65 | 689/9 | 382/3 | 418/9 | 45th Ann. of 1920 Rebellion | £0.40p....$0.60c |
| 11/7/65 | 691 | 384 | 420 | Mohammed’s Birthday | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 14/7/65 | 693 | 385 | 421 | 7th Ann. of 14th July Revolution | £0.20p....$0.30c |
| 18/11/65 | 698/700 | 387/9 | 426/8 | 2nd Ann. of 18th November Revolution | £1.45....$2.15 |
| 29/11/65 | 701/3 | 390/2 | 429/31 | National Census | £0.90p....$1.35 |
| 3/12/65 | 704/6 | C12/4 | 432/4 | Inauguration of Trident by Iraqi Airways | £2.00....$3.00 |
| 22/3/66 | 715/6 | 401/2 | 443/4 | Arab Publicity Week. Arab League emblem | £0.40p....$0.60c |
| 1/5/66 | 721/2 | 407/8 | 448/9 | Labour Day | £0.40p....$0.60c | Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
| 20/5/66 | 723/5 | 409/11 | 450/2 | Preservation of Nubian Monuments | sold out |
| 22/7/66 | 729/31 | 415/7 | 456/8 | Mohammed’s Birthday | £0.90p....$1.35 |
| 6/1/67 | 744/5 | 426 | 472/3 | Army Day | £0.50....$0.75c |
| 11/4/67 | 751/2 | 431/2 | 480/1 | Hajeer Year | £0.35p....$0.50c |
| 1/5/67 | 753/4 | 433/4 | 482/3 | Labour Day | £0.35p....$0.50c |
| 20/6/67 | 755/6 | 435/6 | 484/5 | Mohammed’s Birthday | £0.35p....$0.50c |
| 8/67 | T763 | RA13 | Ze 17 | Obligatory Tax for Flood Relief victims | £0.15p....$0.25c |
| 11/67 | T764 | RA14 | Ze 18 | Obligatory Tax for Defence Fund | £0.15p....$0.25c |
| 10/11/67 | 765/74 | 443/9 | 492/501 | Iraqi Costumes | £5.50....$8.00 |
| 18/11/67 | 775/6 | 450/1 | 502/3 | 4th Ann. of 18th Nov. Revolution. | £0.50p....$0.75c |
| 6/1/68 | 792/3 | 461/2 | 518/9 | Army Day | £0.55p....$0.80c |
| 19/1/68 | 794/800 | 463/9 | 520/6 | Iraqi Birds | £8.00....$12.00 |
| 14/2/68 | 801 | 470 | 527 | 5th Ann. of 14th of Ramadan Revolution | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 1/5/68 | 802/3 | 471/2 | 528/9 | Labour Day | £0.50p....$0.75c |
| 14/7/68 | 809 | 478 | 534 | 10th Ann. of 14th July Revolution | £0.20p....$0.30c |
| 29/11/68 | 810/3 | 479/82 | 535/8 | 20th Ann. WHO | £0.80p....$1.20 |
| 22/12/68 | 814/5 | 483/4 | 539/40 | Human Rights Year | £0.35p....$0.50c |
| 22/12/68 | MS816 | 484a | Blk.13 | 100 Fils value with unvalued magenta stamp imperf | £2.50....$3.75 | Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
| 31/12/68 | 817/8 | 485/6 | 541/2 | UN Childrens Fund | £0.40p....$0.60c |
| 31/12/68 | MS819 | 486a | Blk.14 | 100Fils value with unvalued olive-green stamp imperf | £2.75....$4.10 |
| 6/1/69 | 820 | 487 | 543 | Army Day | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 14/2/69 | 821 | 488 | 544 | 6th Ann. of 14th of Ramadan Revolution | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 28/5/69 | 834 | 495 | 552 | Mohammed’s Birthday | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 17/6/69 | 849-IMP | 509-IMP | 565-IMP | 200f President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr Imperf. from a limited printing. [Picture]..Available in pairs pro rata | £10.00....$15.00 per stamp |
| 26/12/69 | 864 | 521 | 584 | Centenary of Iraqi Press | £0.30p....$0.45c |
| 21/3/70 | 869/74 | 532/7 | 589/94 | New Year. SG891/6 overprints | £2.15....$3.20 |
| 18/4/70 | 879/84 | 532/7 | 595/600 | Mosul Spring Festival. SG891/6 overprinted | £2.50....$3.75 |
| 12/6/70 | 891/6 | 526/31 | 656/9 | Flowers | £2.50....$3.75 |
| 30/10/70 | 916/8 | C34/6 | 630/2 | National Development | £23.00....$34.00 |
| 13/11/70 | 919/20 | 568/9 | 637/8 | International Education Year | £0.40p....$0.60c |
| 7/12/70 | 922/3 | 572/3 | 639/40 | 50th Ann. Iraqi Medical Society | £0.70p....$1.00 |
| 15/12/70 | 924/5 | C37/8 | 641/2 | 10th Arab Telecomms. Union, Baghdad | £0.45p....$0.65c |
| 8/2/71 | 934/5 | 581/2 | 650/1 | 8th Ann. 14th Ramadan Revolution | £0.75p....$1.10 |
| 15/3/71 | 940/3 | 587/90 | 656/9 | Tourism Week | £2.50....£3.75 |
| 21/3/71 | 944/5 | 591/2 | 660/1 | New Year [Nawrooz] | £0.65p....$1.00 |
| 7/4/71 | 948/50 | 594/6 | 664/6 | 24th Ann. of Baath Political Party | £5.00....$7.50 |
| 17/11/71 | 997/1001 | 625A/B | 686/90 | 4th Pan Arab Schoolboy Games, Baghdad | £3.00....$4.50 |
| 23/11/71 | 1003/5 | 621/3 | 691/3 | Students Day. SG892/3 & 895 surcharged or o’printed | £3.60....$5.40 |
| 16/2/72 | 1020/1 | 634/5 | 708/9 | Hajeer Year | £0.60p....$0.90c |
| 25/2/72 | 1022/3 | C42/3 | 710/11 | 9th Iraqi Students Congress. SG916/7 o’printed | £2.30....$3.45 | Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
| 11/3/72 | 1024/5 | 636/7 | 712/3 | 2nd Ann. 11th March Manifesto | £1.70....$2.50 |
| 23/3/72 | 1026/7 | 644/5 | 716/7 | World Met. Day | £2.30....$3.45 |
| 7/4/72 | 1030/1 | 648/9 | 724/5 | Inauguration of North Rumaila Oil Field | £1.30....$1.90 |
| 14/4/72 | 1036/7 | 638/9 | 714/5 | New Year [Nawrooz] | £2.00....$3.00 |
| 14/7/72 | 1055/6 | 658/9 | 739/40 | 14th Ann. of 14th July Revolution | £2.30....$3.45 |
| 17/7/72 | 1057/8 | 660/1 | 741/2 | 4th Ann. of 17th July Revolution | £2.25....$3.35 |
| 24/8/72 | 1061/2 | 666/7 | 745/6 | 4th Conference & Camp of Arab Girl-Guides | £2.60....$3.90 |
| 25/3/73 | 1094/6 | 680/C52/3 | * | International History Congress | £25.00....$37.50 |
| 25/3/73 | 1094/6 | 680/C52/3 | * | International History Congress - Block of 4 | £110.00....$150.00 |
| 6/1/74 | 1156/7 | 710/11 | 793/4 | 50th Ann. Military College | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 30/1/75 | 1174/6 | 727/9 | 810/12 | World Population Year | £1.90....$2.80 |
| 7/4/78 | 1310/2 | 838/40 | 931/3 | Youth Day | £0.45p....$0.65c |
| 14/4/78 | 1313/5 | 841/3 | 934/6 | 6th Ann. Postal Savings Bank | £0.85p....$1.25 |
| 17/5/78 | 1316/8 | 844/6 | 937/9 | 10th World Telecomms. Day | £0.85....$1.25 |
| 7/4/82 | 1512/5 | 1038/41 | 1127/30 | 35th Ann. Baath Party | £1.00....$1.50 |
| 9/10/82 | 1561/3 | 1086/8 | 1173/5 | UPU Day | £1.10....$1.65 |
| 15/11/82 | 1564/7 | 1089/92 | 1176/9 | Musical Instruments | £1.50....$2.25 |
| 27/12/82 | 1568/71 | 1093/6 | 1180/3 | Ann. of Mohammed’s Birthday | £0.80p....$1.20 |
| 1/4/87 | 1753/6 | 1278/81 | 1350/3 | 10th Anniversary of United Arab Shipping Co. | £2.90....$4.25 |
| Date | SG | Scott | Michel | Description | £...Price...$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4/61 | 0552/7 | O200/5 | 239/44 | 6 values of SG515/25 [Scott type 38] overprinted | £3.80....$5.70 |
| 28/8/71 | 0969/72 | O225/7+1 | D 264/7 | Int. Tourist Year SG778 & 780/2 overprinted. Slight gum fault on 50f value, so low price | £2.25....$3.30 |
| 11/5/72 | 0976/7 | O232/3 | D 278/9 | SG814/5 Human Rights Year overprinted | £3.30....$4.90 |
| 29/9/71 | 0981/3 | O312/3 | * | 2F,3F,10F [SG825/7]of Fish/Fauna series overprinted | £6.50....$9.75 |
| 1972 | 01042/5 | 314/7 | D 268/71 | SG625/8 Sc322/5 overprinted. | £12.00....$18.00 |
| 1948 50f High Value - Obligatory Tax for Aid for Palestine & for Official Use only...FU...£12.50...$18.50 SOLD [Picture] |
| 1971 Fish & Fauna SGo981/6..FU...£8.00....$12.00 |
| 1971 Listed but unpriced in both SG & Michel. SGo968a - Mi272 II/II. Rare 'Official' overprint on 15f of 'Costumes' issue with only 2mm space between English & Arabic..FU...£12.50....$18.50[Picture] |
| 1972 SGo1042/5. Set of 4 different designs with 'Official' overprint..FU...£8.50....$12.50[Picture] |
| 1975 Bird SGo1178..FU...£1.75....$2.60[Picture] |
|
For Issues since 1990 see separate list.[Iraq since 1990] |