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SAUDI ARABIAN STAMPS

History

First Stage

This is before the issuance of Hijazi stamps. At this stage Egyptian stamps were used after the opening of the Egyptian postal office in Jeddah in 1856 and till its closure in 1881. Then Turkish stamps were used till 1916. Egyptian and Turkish stamps used to be sealed by the seals of the postal offices in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif, Yanbu, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Abha and Qunfuda.

Second Stage

In 1916 there had been a shortage in stamps. By the end of 1924 stamps called the stamps of the Hijazi government.

Third Stage

The Hijaz and Najd stamps during the period from 1925 to 1932 carried historical anniversaries like:

The Sultanate of Najd (1925).
The First Hajj during the Sultanate of Najd (1925)
Jeddah and Madinah memorial stamp (1925).
The Convention of the Islamic Conference (1926

For the first time the name of Hijaz and Najd appeared written in a foreign language and the sentence “Hijaz and Najd Post” on stamps issued from 1927 to 1932

Stamps of the Sultanate of Najd:
When the late King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud assumed power, Turkish and Hjazi stamps (1925) were decorated with the sentence (Sultanate of Najd Post). These stamps were of different colors.

When King Abdul Aziz opened Makkah he called Muslims to perform Hajj (Pilgrimage). In memory of this occasion stamps were issued carrying the sentence (Memory of the first Hajj during the Sultanate of Najd - Wednesday 1343H)
In memory of the opening of Madinah, stamps were issued in 1344H.
In memory of the opening of Jeddah stamps were issued in 1344H.
In 1926 the first stamps carrying the name "Hijaz and Najd Post”
Stamps were issued on the occasion of the Islamic Conference, which was held in Makkah on 20/11/1344H.
Stamps were issued to memorize the occasion of calling for King Abdul Aziz to be King for Najd and its affiliated territories.
Stamps were issued to mark the fourth anniversary of the assumption of power in 7/8/1348.

Fourth Stage

Stamps of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: This stage started in 1934 and continued till now. This stage is characterized with the following:

Diversity and large number of issued stamps.
Highlighting the religious landmarks in the Kingdom like the expansions of the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet Mosque, Quba and Al-Qiblatain Mosques in Madinah.
Highlighting the economic, political, cultural, sports and other developmental projects in the Kingdom.
Highlighting historic occasions and events in the Kingdom like the visits made by the Kingdom’s Kings, the visits of some world leaders to the Kingdom and Islamic and Arab conferences. Stamps bearing the photos of Saudi ports, cities and universities were also issued during this period.
Diversification of colors and different landscapes.
The stamps were printed at the government printing Press instead.

These early 20th century stamps have distinctive decorative designs. At a time (1917 and thereafter) Saudi Arabia did not have nearly the volume of mail it has today.

1/8 piaster / 1/4 piaster / 1/2 piaster / 1 piaster

Saudi Arabia Philby Cover (1934)

An exceptional cover from Philby in Taif to his mother in England. Cover has copies of 1934 Heir Apparent 3 1/2g and Postal Tax 1/2g, SG 320, 328 (Scott 142, RA1) tied with nice Taif 1 strikes. Back stamped Djeddah and Port Taufiq. St. John Philby lived in Jeddah from the late 1910's to the early 1950's and wrote many letters to his wife and mother in England. He had a colorful career as a diplomat, explorer, author, agent and advisor at times to the founder of Saudi Arabia. He is also the father of Kim Philby the double agent who fled to Russia during the Cold War.