Major T. L. C. Tomkins

When referring to Philatelic History in Eastern Arabia, most people automatically think of N. Donaldson.

Yet he was the second to write about it, and for reference he used another Englishman's work.

His work was first published in in August 1949 and eventually reproduced in a book format in 1950.

Any ideas of who I'm referring to? See the images below for more information.

At the time, Qatar still did not have its own independent postal system, so it is missing from that publication. But no doubt that N. Donaldson used this book as the starting point for his own publication.

The photographer behind the Marine Organisms stamp issue

 Keeping with the general theme of this month - the artists behind the stamp designs.

I bring you a spectacular set of stamps issued back in 2017 with a few Marine Organisms found around the coast line of Qatar.

I hope you enjoy the images.

Having myself years ago attempted underwater photography (failing miserably) I know how skilful you need to be to get to this quality.

Datestamps Types 18 to 21 !!!

 With the only documented record of Qatar Datestamps still being the Neil Donaldson "The Postal Agencies in Easter Arabia and the Gulf". 

Neil's work documented the first 17 types of datestamps used in the Qatar Postal system.

Perhaps it's time to start a new study. So, in the slides below I have identified the next types. Datestamp types 18 through to 21.

Please feel free to share any other type of datestamps used in Qatar that you may have in your collection.

First Hospital in Qatar

At first sight, it seems to be all about Bahrain. But the cover hides a little of the story of the first hospital to open in Doha, Qatar.

Do spend some time in reading it. I'm sure it will prove interesting.

Women Artists Work on Qatar Stamps.

On my post of the 16th of September 2021 I highlighted the role of women shown in Qatar stamps (feel free to search for it).

In it I listed the two stamps issues designed by Mrs. Hessa Al Muraikhi and Miss Saeeda Abdulaziz Al Bader, but of course the list is now incomplete. It is missing Miss. Bouthayna Al Muftah, responsible for the design of the 11th December 2022 - FIFA World Cup Official Poster.

All three are accomplished artist who do not require additional introduction in their own fields, but perhaps not as well within our philately community. My search for their own, has been a very pleasant endeavour with surprising results. As such, I thought no one would mind if I include their stamps and a little of their own work in the next few slides.

Stamp Designers

 Just like the stamps celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the GCC.

These three sets were also paintings converted into stamps. The artists are named. But I haven't been able to find additional paintings by them.

Could you help ?

Thanks

Stamps - a small piece of art on a gummed paper.

Each Postal Authority generally has a resident artist who finalises the design of a stamp. They have to take a simple piece of art and modify it to fit the authorities brand and design concept.

This artist for Qatar Stamps since 2014 has been Mr. Abdellatif Zaian. His name can be found on the Postal Notice of each issue. Prior to him was Mr. Khaid Fikri, whose  name appears on the Postal Notices from October 2000.

Likewise, the painter of the actual art, also seems to be discarded by most of us. Today's post is about one of these painters. The man responsible for the 40th Anniversary of the GCC joint issued stamps. Mr. Salem Al Salami.

His art can be seen on his instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/salim_alsalami/?hl=en

Offset Printing

Offset printing.

There are plenty of examples of offset printing, not only for Qatar, but also most of the regional states. This is due to the changes in currency that most of the regional states underwent requiring plenty of overprints.

But what causes an offset print?

The general perceived theory is that a sheet is placed onto another recently (still wet) sheet and the ink is therebytransfered. But here is a different view, which I believe makes more sense.

Please share your opinion as to which is your favourite theory.

1965 Fish Stamp forgeries

Today, a good friend asked me to look at what a seller claimed to be  printing company discarded stamps.

Possibly a valuable variety.

As philatelists and collectors, we are always looking for a unique piece for our collection, so the temptation to purchase these too good to be true offers remains strong.

On a closer inspection they proved to be forgeries.

Below I include three slides clarifying the reasons for the claim.

As always, the more valuable a stamp, the more likely it will be subject to forgeries.

Whenever possible, depend on reputable dealers.

Colour Variation

Today just thought of adding a little colour to the story.

Colour variation in the Wilding Series stamps.

World Telecommunications Day 1971

 Studying this particular set f stamps has permitted me to discover some quite interesting facts.

The 'Viewphone' or as the Americans called it at the time "Picturephone' amongst the most fascinating designs of the time. Specially, since the advent of the internet was probably due to the need for better bandwidth require for reliable view phone calls. This directly allowed for the development of better interconnectivity for computers...

Qatar Overprinted stamps used in England

Considering that the Postal Authority for the Arabian Gulf Countries was the General Post Office under the name of the British Postal Authorities for the Arabian Gulf. This meant that the stamps for one state were valid for use in any another.

Philatelists taking advantage this created a number of cross-over covers - covers using stamps from one state on another.

In this case a very rare of BPAEA used in UK.

Qatar National Cement Company

 A simple commercial cover, from where we can learn a little more of the incredible history of Qatar.

Traffic Week 1975

The collection of stamps can be a never ending excuse to learn a little more about the world around us.

Today I took a look back at the reason behind the Traffic Week stamps issued in 1975. which lead me to discover the work of Jock Kinneir & Margaret Calvert.

Their work eventually created todays world standard of road traffic signs, which were most likely implemented in the Arabian Gulf around the 1970s.

World Telecommunications Day

After a very long time searching for an answer as to what was the machine on the stamp, I have finally come to a conclusive answer.

See below for additional information.

Renowned Collectors with interest in Qatar philately

The interest in collectable items from Qatar began from day one. In these three images we can see that renowned collectors were keen to obtain items from Qatar.

Francis J. Field one of the few individuals to be entered in the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. King George V was the first signatory of the Roll.

F. Hillard, too, began his interest early on. This was so early that he was unaware of what was PDQ (Petroleum Development Qatar) as can be seen on the second slide.

But by July 1950, he shows his knowledge, albeit too late, requesting to be sent a cover with the 'Political Officer Qatar' cancellation.

The British Castle Stamp used in Qatar

Today I share with you a cover sent from Umm Said, Qatar with a British Castles Series Stamp - overprinted 'QATAR' which is rare to find.

EXPO 2023 Doha - Qatar

In celebration of the upcoming Horticulture EXPO 2023 Doha Qatar a set of nine stamps were issued as shown below.

Qatar will be the first country with a desert climate to host such an event.

The EXPO will be the second largest global event to be held in Qatar after the World Cup. With some 50 countries already signed up and the on track to reach the goal of 8- national pavilions.

22nd February 2023 - The 50th Anniversary for this particular stamp issue

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the issue of these stamps.

They celebrate the the first anniversary of the accession to power of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.

Issued on the 22nd February 1973.

Revenue & Tax Stamps

Philately - the collection of and study of postage and imprinted stamps - sometimes can extend to the collection of Revenue or Tax Stamps as in the stamps shown.