Malaria
1963, 20 December
Printer: Helio Electronic Press
Designer: Archam Tcheterian
Sheet Size: 10 x 5
Perf.: 12
To commemorate the campaign to eradicate malaria, Dubai issued a set of nine stamps and three souvenir sheets. The stamps are not recognized as part of the campaign as they were issued in 1963 and the campaign was in 1962. What is even more confusing is that they were issued on 20 December, 1963 and the date printed on the bottom of the souvenir sheets is 28 November, 1963. The most likely scenario is that the stamps were not prepared in time to meet the date printed on the sheets and were issued later.
The set consisted of three 1np values of the same design, but in differing colors, and two 2np values in a different design and differing colors. Unless the colors are indicated, it is impossible to determine to which stamp a person is referring. Again, the reason for the large set and multiple stamps of the same value was only to sell stamps as there was no postal rate using the low values. The three high values are airmail stamps.
The stamps were only issued perforated, but one or two imperforates sheets of a few values were cut into singles, pairs and blocks, and sold by Mr. Stephan and Mr. Mosden.
Evidently there was a problem with over-inking in the area of the stamp showing the value as several examples exist.
The various stamp catalogs do not list the stamps in the same order, which can pose problems if one is attempting to purchase a particular stamp. The listing below is based on the order they appear on the First Day Covers - from left to right.
The souvenir sheets were printed in different colors and a color trial exists for the 70np value.
Souvenir Sheets
- This is the 20np value of the SSs. The sheet on the left has the normal color of the green background. The sheet on the right has a color variation of the background that almost makes it appear to be a different sheet altogether.
- The 40np and the 70np sheets, completing the set of three sheets for this issue.
Set of 9
SSs: 3 imperforate.
CTO: None
Plate Numbers: None
FDC: Complete set of singles on on large horizontal envelope with a blue commemorative cancellation. The three souvenir sheets are each on a single large envelope with a blue commemorative cancellation. The cachet for the singles and the SSs is the same and was prepared by the Baroody Stamp Company.
Cost:
- The issued FDC for the nine value Malaria set.
- This cover was created by Mr. Stephan. The stamp on the bottom left is imperforate. There is a perforated stamp of the same value (40np) directly above it.
- A First Day Cover of the 70np value of the Malaria souvenir sheet, of the set of three sheets.
- Portions of an original imperforate sheet of one of the 1np values. Mr. Stephan stated some of the samps were used for publicity purposes and later a pen mark was made across each one so they could not be used for any other purpose. The yellow color is from the old hinges used to hold them together. This illustration is actually a photostat, but I do own the block on the left, plus a single stamp. Mr. Stephan sent this to me to show me what he was referring to before sending the block.
- The 70np sheet printed in a different color is a color trial. This sheet was fairly common at one time but is seldom seen today.
- Mr. Mosden stated that this was a consistant plate variety and was found in the bottom left corner of each sheet. This set must have been reprinted as I have full sheets that do not have this variety in them. The left side of the body, where the wing is attached has a spot that did not print. This is also found in the other two varieties with the mosquito image -
- These two photos were purchased from Mr. Mosden. He did not remember if they were for the printers to show the denominations that had the same image, or if they were publicity photos sent to newspapers or journals to publicize the stamps.
ITEMS CREATED UNDER THE BAROODY CONTRACT
- A 70np sheet in the correct colors with the red shifted to the right and a center only of the 40np sheet.
FRAUDULENT ITEMS RECENTLY CREATED IN LEBANON
- The two imperforate blocks above are recently created forgeries that are being offered on eBay and Delcampe. They are created in Lebanon. The person is creating forgeries of items that do exist and outright fantasies that never existed previously. They often create items that topical collectors would purchase. Collectors would have no way of knowing they were not genuine as they have nothing to which they can compare them. Specialists in the countries would know immediately that they are not genuine. The only way to determine if they are not genuine is by comparing the type of paper, the glue and the printing with a genuine stamp.
The following sheets were not produced for the Post Office, nor for the Dubai Philatelic Agency. They were made at the Helio Electronic Press as publicity items for the press. Mr. Stephens himself was unaware of these until the early 1980s when he purchased them from a stock holder in the press, who was also a stamp collector.
- A very scarce cover sent by the Municipality of Dubai to England. The stamp is the 70np Malaria stamp. The reverse has a typewritten return address of, "Dubai Municipality, P.O. Box 67, Trucial States, Dubai, Arabian Gulf". The Airmail label was designed by Mr. Stephan and printed in Beirut.
- The slip of paper with the above sheets read, "Malaria: sheetlets of 3 pictures. Quantities: 95 Black, 45 Gray, 45 Orange".
The note did not state that this was a complete set as did the one with the Hunger set.