International Cooperation Year 1966
1966, 5 November
Printer: Harrison & Sons
Designer: Victor Whiteley
Sheet Size: 2 x 5
Perf. 13 1/2 x 14 1/2 and imperf.,
Souvenir Sheet: imperf.
The stamps were issued se-tenant in 5 miniture sheets of 10. The pair with Kennedy and the Ruler of Qatar are the only two to be issued se-tenant with different colored backgrounds. Additionally, the sheet is slightly taller than the other three. All other sheets contain se-tenant pairs of two subjects, but have the same color background: Kennedy (brown) and Ruler of Qatar (green); Wilson (purple) and Helou (purple); de Gaulle (red/orange) and Nasser (red/orange): Ruler of Bahrain (blue/green) and Johnson (blue/green); and Faisal (blue) and the Pope (blue).
- Two first day covers of single stamps. I have never seen other FDCs for this set, but they must exist.
- A cover that cannot be explained at this point. Someone had written on the back in pencil, " Un. off. gov't. FDC, Dubai, Pope". This is the same cancelation that was used for the covers above, but it is dated October 1, 1966, a month and four days before the release date. This was the date of issue of the two previous commemorative issues (World Cup Football and England Winners). It would be my guess that the cover was canceled before someone realized it was the wrong date and changed it to November 5th.
- A rare set of proof cards prepared by Harrison & Sons. Each card contains one imperforate stamp.
- ICY stamps used as postage on a registered packet sent from the General Post Office to Doha, Qatar. The custom's sticker on the back, along with the Doha receiving cancelation, states the packet contained stamps. The sending date was 11 December 1966 and the Doha receiving date was 13 December 1966.
- The postal announcement for the International Cooperation Year set of stamps and souvenir sheet.