Famous People - Part Two

1972, 7 February

Printer: Format International Security Printers
Designer: Victor Whiteley
Sheet Size:
Perf.: 13 1/2

The postal announcement for this issue refers to the set as "EDUCATIONAL - HISTORICAL (Part II)" and claims, "On Monday, 7th February 1972 the General Post Office, Dubai is issuing a set of four stamps illustrated by [sic] famous people[,] the knowledge of whom would be likely to encourage world understanding", a rather strange and lofty statement.

The four individuals portrayed are:

LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)
Italian painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, engineer and musician is best known for the paintings of the Mona Lisa and The Last supper.

LUDWIG VON BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
This German musician/composer is a giant in the classical music field. His Ninth Symphony is considered one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. His musical accomplishments are too numerous to mention.

KHALIL GIBRAN (1883-1931)
It is refreshing to find that at least one of the individeuals portrayed is an Arab. Gibran who was born in Lebanon, but immigrated to the United States as a child, is the author of The Prophet, He is portrayed on the 75dh. value of this set of stamps. His books of poetry, drawings and paintings are found in libraries the world over. He is the third best selling poet in the world amd his art work has been displayed in galleries in the major capitals of the world.

CHARLES ANDRE JOSEPH MARIE DE GAULLE (1890 - 1970)
An unusual choice when viewing the other three individuals. His inclusion is based on the following statement in the announcement, "His system of government, based on personal prestige and skill in manoevre, carried his country through many crises."

• A scarce FDC for the Famous People, Part II, set of stamps.

• A CTO sheet of the Khalil Gibran stamp. Gibran is the only Arab portrayed on this set of the two part series of stamps honoring famous people in history. This cancelation has a date in it of 7-2-72 (February 7, 1972), the date of issue of the stamps. The dates in a CTO cancelations have no importance, nor do they affect the value of the stamp, as opposed to another date. The sheets of this series all have plate numbers on them.

7 April - World Health Day

11 December - 25th Anniversary of UNICEF

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