Navigation

A philatelist's delight

By Viju James

A STROLL through the pages of a stamp album is a walk with history. The high points, the milestones, and facets from the life and times of a country and its people are scaled down to stamp-size and captured for all time. At the end of the stroll, one learns more of social history and geography than all the textbooks in the country. The stamps of the Sultanate of Oman do just that. The postal service in Oman goes back nearly one hundred and fifty years. In its earliest years, the service was linked to the British India Administration. Later, for a brief period, the service came under the Pakistan administration and also the British postal service. On 30 April, 1966 Oman had its very own postal service.

Stamps depicting the Omani women's costumes in different regions of the Sultanate

From the first post office in 1856, through the various basic designs for cancellations, to the automatic sorting system installed in 1984 and bar coding for registered articles, has been an eventful progress. Many stamps were issued between 1896 and 1963, during the reign of the Al Busaid family in Zanzibar.

In world philately circles, these stamps are considered as the stamps of Zanzibar. A study of the stamps of Oman is incomplete without mention of these issues. The most historic stamps of this period are the four commemorative stamps of 1944. They honoured the bicentenary of the Al Busaid Dynasty and depicted the coastline of East Africa and the ports of Muscat and Zanzibar.

In 1966, Oman issued stamps bearing the name "Muscat & Oman." as the country was then referred to. This was the period when the currency was the rupee (64 baisas equalled a rupee). The royal crest and a combination of the crest with a view of the Muscat harbour were the earliest of the designs. This design was followed by a two colour series of six forts in different colour combinations.

The forts of Nakhal, Sohar, Samail, Nizwa , Mirani and Muttrah forts were pictured. The reproductions of the forts on the stamps were from original paintings and etchings of the early nineteenth century. The colours of the first stamps were vibrant — purple, magenta and blue, brown and combinations of black and violet, black and orange.

Four years later the currency was changed to the Rial Saidi and in 1971, the Independent State of Muscat & Oman was renamed as the Sultanate of Oman. With stocks of the 1966 issues still in the stores, the earliest stamps of the royal crest and forts were reprinted with the new currency name in English and Arabic.

Things were happening in the country. The first oil shipment of July 1967 was celebrated with a stamp showing the facilities at Mina Al Fahal.

Stamps depicting the Omani men's costumes in different regions

In the same year, there were more stamps on the same theme; storage tanks, desert oil rigs and a one rial stamp of an aerial view of the country taken from Gemini 4. Stamp collectors are likely to come across labels inscribed "State of Oman" or "Oman Imamate state" These were said to have been issued by a rebel administration of the late sixties. They had no postal use within the country but appeared on covers that were posted in Baghdad and Amman. Professional collectors pay no attention to them.

Stamps of the Sultanate chronicle history with accuracy and attention to all aspects of life. In 1971, after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos took over the reins, there were several new issues. All of these reflected what was happening at the time in the country. It was a period of nation building. The focus was on priorities that were critical if the country was to move ahead. On the National Day of that year a stamp was released on the theme of Land Development.

This issue was followed by stamps highlighting freedom for the people, Health Services and Education. The resolve to move ahead was clear. The stamps were used to make this resolve known to the world. Those were years when the Internet was yet to make its presence and communication was through the traditional channel of letter writing. People who received the colourful stamps of the Sultanate of Oman made a mental note of a country that put people and development above all else.

There were several critical issues at this time. Health facilities had till then been minimal, infant mortality had been alarming and education was a matter of deep concern. Very early in the renaissance era, UNICEF had begun its work in the Sultanate. In 1971 a stamp was issued to mark the twenty fifth anniversary of the organisation. The following year the Sultanate issued a multi-coloured stamp for the International Book Year. Stocks of the old stamps remained and overprinting of the early issues on forts continued till 1972. A view of Shinas from a painting of 1809 was added to the series of 1966. By the end of that year there were no more stocks of stamps to overprint. As the nation went on with the task of building infrastructure, there were several new issues. In 1973, multi-coloured stamps of 25 baisa and 100 baisa were released to celebrate the opening of the ministerial complex and Seeb International Airport.

From a close look at the stamps of this period, it is clear that His Majesty made sure that the urge to catch up in the different areas would in no way jeopardise the interests of those who were more inclined to remain in their traditional occupations and habitats. The National Day stamp for that year pictured the Omani dhow and showed the ancient trading skills of the people of the coastal regions. A second issue pictured the old and the new — the dhow with an oil tanker and the third immortalised the role of the camel in the life of the people.

Work on infrastructure building continued. The inauguration of the Sultan Qaboos port in 1974 was celebrated with a 100 baisa multi-colour stamp showing an aerial view of the facilities. The focus on education that started around 1970 was stressed over and over again. The Sultanate issued a stamp for the Eradication of Illiteracy (International). An issue of a stamp showing hands reaching for an open book followed this. The theme was carried into the following year with a 25 baisa issue on Eradication of Illiteracy (Arab World). This stamp had the visual of a scribe beside a flame conveying the meaning that learning is light.

The country's keenness and readiness to be a player on the international stage was evident from an issue to mark the centenary of the Universal Postal Union. Two years after the issue on Mina Qaboos, another harbour Mina Raysut was given its place in history. The same year one issue was dedicated to the Water Desalination plant and another featured the police stadium, television station and the satellite earth station altogether.

Oman's stamps have kept people as the focus. Women and children have figured prominently in the issues. In 1975 there was an endorsement of the International Women's Year with a visual of a woman and child with a nurse and a second vertical design of a woman and her children within the protective fold of the Omani flag.

There was so much going on that the four National Day stamps for 1976, made room for two visuals each with a diagonal divide. One visual showed His Majesty presenting colours to a military unit and the Seeb-Nizwa road. The second showed parachute landings and mechanical harvesting. The third had visuals of helicopters in action and a Victory day Procession. The fourth in the series showed the Salalah TV station and road construction in the Sultanate.

His Majesty's interest in preservation of ancient monuments was evident when the Sultanate joined in the campaign in 1977 to save Moenjodaro and issued a stamp with a visual of the great baths.

The same year the country joined in the 25th anniversary of the Arab Postal Union with a stamp that featured its emblem. The four stamps issued for the National Day of that year depicted Omani coffee-pots, earthenware pots, silver jewellery and an inscription found at Khor Rori.

The forts (some of which had been restored) were back in focus in the six National Day issues in 1978. The same year another stamp was issued to venerate the pilgrimage to Mecca and showed pilgrims praying at Mount Arafat and at the Kaaba. In later years as well, there have been several issues dedicated to the pilgrimage. An issue of 1987 depicted different places and functions performed during the pilgrimage.

The next issue early in 1979 was called the Al Arab — two stamps with different colours depicting an open book symbolising the Holy Quran with line sketches of the contributions made by Arabs in the various fields of science. The same year saw a stamp devoted to the International Year of the Child with a happy visual of a girl on a swing.

There were two National Day issues that year. One featured a gas plant and the other a dhow and a modern trawler with visuals of well known marine species on the lower part of the stamp. The Armed Forces Day of the same year had two stamps — one a visual of His Majesty on horseback and the second of His Majesty with visuals of parachutes and an armoured car on either side.

The 1400 anniversary of Hijra year was in 1980. The Sultanate issued two stamps on this occasion — one had the calligraphic decoration from the Sultan Qaboos mosque and the second carried a design of the first letter of the Arabic year with visuals of the Kaaba and the Prophet's mosque in Madina.

The National Day issues of this year featured the Bal al Kabir, a view of the corniche, a polo match and a beautiful visual of Omani women. Each of these stamps also had a picture of His Majesty with a white dove. Armed Forces day stamps of 1980 had pictures of His Majesty and a Naval Patrol Boat and mounted soldiers.

A definite pattern came into effect in the choice and dedication of issues. Every year stamps were issued to coincide with the National Day, Armed Forces Day and National Police Day. Stamps were also issued to keep in line with international events and issues that were of importance to the nation.

The early eighties saw the issue of a definitive set of twelve stamps depicting Oman's wild flowers, birds, animals and seashells. Four stamps were issued to celebrate the voyage of the stitched ship Sohar from Muscat to Canton.

The definitive issues on the costumes of the country records for all time the clothing worn by men and women in different parts of the country. The men's costumes were issued in a set of four definitives and for women in a series of six definitives.

The stamps that featured the different sea faring vessels of the country and the issues depicting Al Khanjar Assaidi are by now familiar to everyone. As new women's fashions come into being, many generations to come will refer to these miniatures to appreciate the styles worn by their ancestors and to explore the supporting crafts that embellished traditional costumes.

In 1986, the barquentine Shabab Oman was present at the centenary celebrations of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The Shabab had sailed from Oman to New York for this event by much the same route as adopted by the ship, Sultana in the nineteenth century. Two stamps celebrated the participation of Oman in this event.

One of the finest issues of the eighties was a set of four stamps profiling Omani traditional handicrafts. The weaver, the potter, the silversmith and the halwa maker each had a stamp depicting their trade. The design of these four stamps had a pleasant and unique mix of the ancient and modern styles of design.

A stamp issued in April 1990 says much for the daring spirit of the people of Oman. This stamp commemorated the sesquicentennial anniversary of the voyage of the first Omani envoy to the United States of America. The stamp carried a portrait of Sayyid Said Bin Sultan al Busaidi on one side, the vessel Sultana in the middle and a picture of the envoy, Ahmed Bin Naaman al Kaabi on the other. In the background was the route taken by the ship — round the Cape of Good Hope and across the Atlantic to New York with all the sails fluttering.

Two other issues of this period are the famous Sultan Qaboos Rose, a 200 baisa stamp and two stamps to show the world the areas with ophiolite deposits in the Sultanate. The latter issue coincided with the symposium on Oman Ophiolite.

Oman's stamps have been designed and printed in different parts of the world. Some of the best-known philatelic designers and experts have been involved in creating, visualising and printing the Omani stamps. All the techniques in printing like photogravure, lithography, embossing, offset have been put to use to produce the stamps. The number and choice of colours, the line highlights with gold and silver and the vignetting have all contributed to the highest level of quality and visual appeal.

The Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs & Telephones has realised the importance of philately in the day to day life of the country. A small philatelic department operates from the CBD post office and collectors can make arrangements to ensure automatic supply of new issues by making an advance payment. Interest in philately is yet to take hold in the people resident in the Sultanate. Unfortunately, people's exposure to stamps has decreased with the advent of the franking machine and the Internet.

Innovative programmes at the school level may need to be introduced to make people living in Oman familiar with the rich collection of stamps available in the country. It's a collection that is growing all the time. What's more some of them are very valuable too for the collector.

Oman Observer, 27th and 28th May 2002