Stamps of the Trucial States

The Arab sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf are known collectively as the Trucial States, from the treaties made with the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century for the suppression of piracy. Postal arrangements were apparently unnecessary until after World War II, when the stamps surcharged in Indian currency for use in Muscat were extended also to Dubai, Doha and Umm Said. Gradually, however, each of the component states has attained postal independence or, in some cases, established a postal service where none existed previously. With the exception of Abu Dhabi, all of the states have come under the aegis, at some time or another, of philatelic agencies based in Lebanon or the United States and this resulted in a spate of unnecessary issues designed to attract stamp collectors rather than perform any genuine postal service.

The sheikdom of Ajman began issuing stamps in 1964 and, in less than a decade, succeeded in catching up with many old established countries of much greater size and commercial importance. Like its neighbours, Ajman has a predilections for subjects of little relevance to the Persian Gulf but more likely to appeal to the passing fancy of stamp collectors on the other side of the world. One of its earliest issues was a series depicting historic stamp catalogues and rare stamps, to promote the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue Centenary Exhibition in London. The death of Robert Kennedy provoked a pair of mourning stamps in 1968, portraying him and his elder brother, John.

The anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zaid is the pretext for an annual issued of stamps highlighting developments in Abu Dhabi. The first anniversary (1967) was belatedly marked by stamps the following year, showing the coat of arms. Later, in 1968, stamps showing modern developments marked the second anniversary, and this set the tone for subsequent years. The series of 1969 concentrated on progress in the petroleum industry.

Dubai took control of its own postal affairs in June 1963 and became the first of the Trucial States to embark on a prolific stamps program. Under the auspices of various philatelic agents, Dubai’s output of stamps escalated until 1967, when most catalogues decided to boycott its more questionable issues. In 1969, the sheikhdom revoked the contracts with its philatelic agent and placed them with the Crown Agents in London. Since 1969, a more restrained policy has been adopted, though the stamps continue to pander to the ‘sports – space – Old Masters’ enthusiasts. A set of four stamps was released in 1969 to honour four European explorers who opened up Arabia. The stamps portrayed Sir Richard Burton, J.L. Burkehardt and Wilfrid Thesiger, along with a map of Arabia.