Postage stamps issued by Emirates Post have long represented the country in far corners of the world. Now equally considered as unique pieces of art, they offer a glimpse into Emirati history and culture through the ages.
Back in 2011, Emirates Post issued a stamp with a difference. Celebrating the Ghaf, an endangered desert tree, a single real seed was embedded in the paper.
Two years later, Emirates Post released four stamps celebrating the heritage of Arabic coffee. One design featured fresh beans being roasted. The front of the stamp gave off an aroma of fresh coffee when gently rubbed.
Several times each year, new stamps are issued on topics as varied as international events related to literacy, women’s rights and child welfare, desert flowers, insects and animals.
Others show the country’s Rulers and significant events in the Arab world, or highlighting Emirati traditions.
The first set bearing the name of the UAE, as well as the national flag, was released on January 1, 1973, barely two years after the creation of the union in December 1971.
In the past Emirates Post has held national design competitions, sometimes through schools and universities, with the winning designs featured on special-issue stamps.
With each issue of new stamps, Emirates Post also publishes an illustrated booklet telling the story behind the design along with technical details such as sizes and printing methods, and the quantities of each of the denominations. The information is printed in English and Arabic.
Also included is an application form to join Emirates Philately, where members have all new UAE stamps sent to them, along with other perks.
Stamps issued over the past decade can be easily bought, but older ones are more difficult and expensive.
One example is a 1992 stamp of the Quran, with the page open on Surat Al ‘Alaq, the verses shown said to be the first revealed to Prophet Mohammed.
If you can’t afford some of the more expensive issues, many are on display at the Postal Museum at the main Deira branch of Emirates Post, open free of charge from 7.30am to 3pm every day, except Friday. The single-room collection also features old post office boxes and keys.
Included in the collection are stamps made from real gold and silver, and others featuring holograms. Their values range from a single dirham to many thousands.
Also displayed is the complete set of the first issue of UAE stamps, which were designed to reflect the unity of the country.
For more information on Emirates Philately, visit epg.gov.ae
All photos Reem Mohammed / The National
