1917 Baghdad Overprints in UPA October sale

Featured on the front of the catalogue is a collection of stamps from the 1917 British Occupation of Baghdad.

The Ottoman Empire had attempted to destroy stocks of Turkish stamps before evacuating the city but failed to do so, providing a supply of stamps that could be overprinted by the British Forces for local use.

Visit UPA and view the auction in detail

UPA were first approached in 2013 by a collector who had spent 40 years assembling a vast and valuable British Empire collection including a spectacular range of the Baghdad overprints.

Truly amazing collection

UPA Managing Director Andrew McGavin met the client, provided a written insurance estimate and when asked how much he owed for the valuation, Andrew expressed a wish that hopefully his company may one day handle the collection so there would be no charge for valuing what he had enjoyed viewing.

He also mentioned that the Baghdad stamps were widely forged and as they did not have certificates this would be reflected in their value.

Andrew was therefore delighted when some nine years later, the client asked UPA to handle the sale of his collection.

Andrew explains:

‘Imagine my surprise nine years later, every single Baghdad stamp had been sent to the Royal Philatelic Society for a certificate, and every single one had a genuine no faults RPS certificate endorsed "AFTER CONSULTATION". Truly amazing.'

View the catalogue now at UPA

This rare collection is offered in 22 individual lots and includes:

• An ½d on 10pa ‘Mosque of Selim’ Mint (SG 4)
• 1a on ‘Postal Jubilee’ 20pa perf 13½ Mint (SG 10a)
• Star & Crescent 1a overprint on 20pa rose Mint (SG 22)

The stamps are included in the UPA87 October 4th/5th auction catalogue.

Universal Philatelic Auctions has been serving Collectors worldwide since 1958, from beginners through to specialists, across multiple philatelic selling-systems tailored to your needs.

Visit UPA today… www.upastampauctions.co.uk