Worldwide Occupation Stamps -
Hugh - 30-08-2025
People often think that occupation stamps are largely confined to the two world wars of the 20th century. There were (and are) a lot of occupations all over the world that leave a trail in postal history over the last three hundred years.
Here, for example, is a cover from October 24, 1961. A CDS from Gaza was applied to this FDC with two UAR issued occupation stamps. The United Arab Republic was a short-lived union of Egypt and Syria between February 22, 1958 and September 28, 1961 when, following a coup d'etat in Syria, the union was ended. However, Egypt continued to be known officially as the UAR until it was formally dissolved in September 1971.
This cover, therefore, was cancelled after Syria had pulled out of the UAR.
The UAR stamps, also issued on this date, celebrated the UN Technical Assistance Program (UNTAP) and the 16th Anniversary of the UN. The stamps on the cover, however, which were printed in different colours, are the 'occupation' version of the stamps and were produced for use in Palestine (Gaza). Egypt had occupied the Gaza strip since 1948.
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Stamps:
UAR - UNTAP / World Refuge Year (Occupation Series)
Issued on October 24, 1961
10m, Dark Blue and Orange
Sc. N81
35m, Vermilion and Black
Sc. N82
RE: Worldwide Occupation Stamps -
Hugh - 30-08-2025
Another couple of occupation stamps. These two are from Peru in 1881. During the War of the Pacific (Guerra del Pacifico) between Chile and Peru from 1879 to 1883), Chile occupied Lima in January 1881 and a number of occupation stamps, occupation postal stationery and provisional local issues followed. The following two are Peruvian stamps with an overprint of the coat of arms of Chile.
Picked these up at the club bourse last Thursday.
Stamps:
Peru: Occupation by Chile
Issued in December 1881
Overprint by hand-stamp on stamps of Peru from 1874-79.
1c, orange with deep blue overprint
SG 93
2c, violent with black overprint
SG 94
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