THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE
Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive
Stamp issues for Ras al Khaima printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1972 and items found in the Archive
RAS AL KHAIMA
1972
Ras al Khaima stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.
Links to pages with information on items found in the archive
Ras al Khaimah was the last of the Trucial States to issue its own stamps.
Ras al Khaima post office was opened on December 21, 1964. Its first set, which was issued on the same day of the opening of the post office,
was very similar to the original Trucial States designs. From the opening of post office in 1964 to the last issued set
in December of 1972, According to Michel, Ras al Khaima issued 903 stamps and 148 souvenir sheets.
As far as the souvenir sheets are concerned though Michel has listed some of the deluxe sheetlets as souvenir sheets. They have
also not listed many souvenir sheets also. Therefore the numbers are inaccurate.
Please visit my introduction page for the Trucial States to understand how the following sets have been determined to have been printed
by the Format International Security Printers.
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUCIAL STATES STAMPS PRINTED BY THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS
A NOTE ON THE AGENCIES
You will find here that the evidence presented refutes every document created and presented on the ohmygosh webpages by the Middle East Stamp Company as false
and misleading including the statements and the "contracts" presented there. These "copies of documents" can be found at this link:
The Fujairah Stamps and Postal History Site
These "documents" are presented on the Ajman and Fujairah (Fujiera) webpages and can be Googled easily thus many collectors and dealers may become
"misinformed" as to the true facts on the status of many Trucial States stamps.
If the documents that are presented on that website were true then almost every issue cataloged in Michel and Minkus during 1970
through 1972 would have to be considered as unofficial and fake issues. Judging from all the covers and such that are available all over the world
and that have been shown to be officially honored by the various Trucial States, obviously this shows us that the "documents" presented are
false and misleading. The Middle East Stamp Company never had any dealings with the Format International Security Printers and thus
with the evidence shown here, proving who printed the stamps, we can see who really was the "jealous and envious" company yes?
A changing of the guard so to speak did happen in 1971 when Questa Colour Limited apparently took over most of the later issued
stamps for many of the Trucial States. I believe this occurred for Ras al Khaima with the 1972 SUMMER OLYMPICS LANDMARKS issue onward.
The gold color frames are the key. Definitely the look of Questa's. After that the large stamps etc;.
1972 BIRDS
Michel #593-8, Block 108, Minkus #616-22
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Cardinal
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 WINTER OLYMPICS (Sapporo)
Michel #607-12, Block 110, Minkus #630-6
The singles exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Possibly two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.
I could not find any white background (un-numbered) sets available at the time of producing this page. They may not exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Helleborus
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 BUTTERFLIES
Michel #614-19, Block 111, Minkus #644-50
The single stamps were printed in panes of 10.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Lepidopteres
BUTTERFLIES PANES OF 10
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH TAN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 WILD AFRICAN ANIMALS
Michel #621-6, Block 112, Minkus #651-7
The single stamps were printed in panes of 10.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Monkey
WILD AFRICAN ANIMALS PANES OF 10
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 TROPICAL FISH
Michel #628-33, Block 113, Minkus #658-64
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Possibly two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.
I could not find any white background (un-numbered) sets available at the time of producing this page. They may not exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Betta splendens
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 LUDWIG VON BEETHOVEN
Michel #635-40, Block 114, Minkus #665-71
The single stamps were printed in panes of 25. This is the first set for Ras al Khaima using the 5x5 formation.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting that another way of proving that the Format Printers printed a set of stamps is by the color bars on proofs which is a unique
style the Format Printers used. These color bars would run across one side of the uncut press sheet used to make the proofs. It can
only be found on proofs cut from a press sheet or on a full uncut press sheet itself. There are many such proofs and press sheets with
the color bars attached for many different countries printed by Format.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Portrait by Stieler
BEETHOVEN PANE OF 25
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
1972 LEOPOLD MOZART
Michel #642-7, Block 115, Minkus #672-8
The single stamps were printed in panes of 25.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Mozart's Family
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES (Munich)
Michel #649-54, Block 116, Minkus #679-85
The single stamps were printed in panes of 10.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Runner
OLYMPIC GAMES (Munich) PANES OF 10
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 HORSES
Michel #656-61, Block 117, Minkus #700-6
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
HORSES FORGERY (Fake) SET
Supposedly created in 1985 in Yugoslavia, these are dangerous forgeries of this set.
1972 PARROTS
Michel #663-8, Block 118, Minkus #707-13
The single stamps were printed in panes of 25.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
PARROTS PANE OF 25
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL
Michel #670-5, Block 119, Minkus #530-6
The single stamps were printed in panes of 25.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting Minkus lists this set as issued in 1971.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Funeral
CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL PANES OF 25
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH LAVENDER BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL OVERPRINTED "IN MEMORY OF CHARLES DE GAULLE"
Michel #677-82, Block 120, Minkus #686-92
The single stamps were printed in panes of 25.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Funeral
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH LAVENDER BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 53RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN F. KENNEDY
Michel #686, Block 125, Minkus #378-9
The single stamps were printed in panes of 6.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. No deluxe sheetlets exist with this overprint.
Noting that Minkus lists this set as being issued in 1970.
SOUVENIR SHEET
OVERPRINTED PANE OF 6
1972 APOLLO XIV
Michel #701-6, Block 126, Minkus #458-64
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting Minkus lists this set as issued in 1971.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Astronauts
APOLLO XIV PANES OF 20
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH LAVENDER BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 SAFE RETURN OF APOLLO XIV
Michel #708-13, Block 127, Minkus #537-43
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting Minkus lists this set as issued in 1971.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Astronauts
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH SALMON BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 USA-JAPAN BASEBALL FRIENDSHIP
Michel #715-22, Block 128, Minkus #544-52
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. No Deluxe sheet sets seem to exist.
Noting Minkus lists this set as issued in 1971.
SOUVENIR SHEET
USA-Japan
USA-JAPAN BASEBALL FRIENDSHIP PANES OF 20
1972 SUMMER OLYMPICS (Munich)
Michel #724-9, Block 129, Minkus #553-9
The single stamps were printed in panes of 12.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting Minkus lists this set as issued in 1971.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Wittelsbach Fountain
SUMMER OLYMPICS PANES OF 20
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH SALMON BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 WINTER OLYMPICS (Sapporo)
Michel #731-6, Block 130, Minkus #693-9
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Schuba, Austria
WINTER OLYMPICS PANES OF 12
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
1972 APOLLO XVI
Michel #738-43, Block 131, Minkus #714-20
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Lunar Rover
APOLLO XVI PANES OF 20
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 EUROPEAN SOCCER
Michel #745-50, Block 132, Minkus #721-7
The single stamps were printed in panes of 12.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Chorda, France
EUROPEAN SOCCER PANES OF 20
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 OPERATION SKYLAB
Michel #752-7, Block 133, Minkus #728-34
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH SALMON BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 SUMMER OLYMPICS LANDMARKS (Munich)
Michel #759-64, Block 134, Minkus #735-41
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
SOUVENIR SHEET
Vajdahunyad, Budapest
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 PRESIDENT POMPIDOU VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES
Michel #766-8, Minkus #744-6
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist. I found only one available.
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
These were found in the Format Archive
1972 THE CHARLES DE GAULLE MEMORIAL
Michel #773-5, Minkus #755-7
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist. I can find none at the time of creating this page.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES LARGE STAMPS
Michel #776-8, Minkus #758-60
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting that proof that the Format Printers printed this set is shown by the master proofs imaged with the Pompidou set.
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES LARGE STAMPS OVERPRINTED
Michel #785-7, Minkus #773-5
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES OLD AND NEW SPORTS (1st issue)
Michel #788-93, Minkus #776-81
The single stamps were printed in panes of 10 in matched pairs.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Three versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting that the following sets of Olympics stamps appear to be extremely rare and hard to find mint. The intact panes seem to be almost non-existent.
The pink Deluxe sheetlets exist with and without numbers.
1972 OLYMPICS OLD AND NEW PANE OF 10
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH PINK BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH PINK BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES OLD AND NEW SPORTS (1st issue) OVERPRINTED "GOLD MEDAL WINNER" WITH NAMES
Michel #794-9, Minkus #782-7
These stamps exist perforated and imperforate.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES OLD AND NEW SPORTS (2nd issue)
Michel #800-5, Minkus #788-93
The single stamps were printed in panes of 10 in matched pairs.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist. Possibly three if Green ones with no numbers exist.
1972 OLYMPICS OLD AND NEW PART PANES OF 10
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES OLD AND NEW SPORTS (2nd issue) OVERPRINTED "GOLD MEDAL WINNER" WITH NAMES
Michel #806-11, Minkus #794-9
These stamps exist perforated and imperforate.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES ADVERTISING POSTERS
Michel #812-14, Minkus #800-2
The single stamps were printed in se-tenant strips of 3.
The se-tenant strips were printed in panes of 4 strips. The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheetlets exist.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES ADVERTISING POSTERS PANE OF 4 STRIPS
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES ADVERTISING POSTERS OVERPRINTED "THE WINNERS OF THE MUNICH OLYMPIC GAMES" WITH NUMBER OF MEDALS WON
Michel #815-17, Minkus #806-8
These stamps exist perforated and imperforate. They appear to be extremely rare as I can find not one for sale at the time of creating this page.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES SYMBOLS
Michel #818-20, Minkus #803-5
The single stamps were printed in se-tenant strips of 3.
The se-tenant strips were printed in panes of 4 strips. The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheetlets exist.
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES ADVERTISING POSTERS PANE OF 4 STRIPS
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND
1972 OLYMPIC GAMES SYMBOLS OVERPRINTED "PRELUDE OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF MONTREAL"
Michel #821-3, Minkus #809-11
These stamps exist perforated and imperforate.
1972 OLYMPICS ON TELEVISION
Michel #824-30, Minkus #812-18
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two versions of Deluxe sheetlets exist.
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND
1972 OLYMPICS ON TELEVISION OVERPRINTED "GOLD MEDAL WINNER" WITH NAME
Michel #831-7, Minkus #821-7
These stamps exist perforated and imperforate.
1972 APOLLO XVII
Michel #840-5, Minkus #828-33
The single stamps were printed in panes of 12.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist. I am sure sets with white backgrounds exist but none available at the time of creating this page.
APOLLO XVII PANES OF 12
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH SALMON BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED
1972 SPACE PROJECTS
Michel #851-A852, Minkus #839-41
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting these stamps are of the same design as earlier Pompidou and Olympics stamps.
DELUXE SHEETLET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND
1972 ROSES
Michel #853-8, Minkus #842-7
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist.
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUNDS
1972 FLOWERS
Michel #859-64, Minkus #848-53
The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist.
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUNDS
1972 PAINTINGS OF FLOWERS
Michel #865-70, Minkus #854-9
This set of stamps, even though supposedly quite common, indeed was the most difficult set for Ras al Khaima for me to
track down any image for! At the time of creating this page I could not find this set available hardly anywhere!
It seems that no deluxe sheetlets exist either.
1972 NAPOLEON I
Michel #871-6, Minkus #860-5
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist. I could only find the types imaged.
Noting that availability of this set is scarce. Both Michel and Minkus do not even have an image
with the listings of this set.
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUNDS
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUNDS AND NUMBERED
1972 NAPOLEONIC WAR AT SEA
Michel #877-82, Minkus #866-71
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Deluxe sheet sets exist. I could only find the type imaged.
Noting that availability of this set is scarce. Notice the low numbering on the deluxe sheetlets. Appears the large
stamp only exists as white background deluxe sheetlet.
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH PINKISH BACKGROUNDS AND NUMBERED
1972 PAINTINGS OF OLD MASTERS
Michel #883-7, Minkus #872-6
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate. Two varieties of Deluxe sheet sets exist.
Noting that availability of this set is scarce.
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUNDS
DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH YELLOW BACKGROUNDS AND NUMBERED
1972 CHRISTMAS
Michel #888-93, Minkus #877-82
This set of stamps, even though supposedly quite common, indeed was also a very difficult set for Ras al Khaima for me to
track down any image for! At the time of creating this page I could not find this set available hardly anywhere!
The large size stamp is readily available but the smaller singles are not. It seems that no deluxe sheetlets exist either.
1972 EASTER (1973)
Michel #894-8, Minkus #883-7
This set of stamps, even though supposedly quite common, indeed was also a difficult set for Ras al Khaima for me to
track down any image for! At the time of creating this page I could not find this set available hardly anywhere!
It seems that no deluxe sheetlets exist either.
References taken from:
Michel Asien II
Minkus Trucial States Stamp Catalog
Evidence found in the Format Archive
Online research
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UPDATED LAST ON: 25-Jan-2015 07:52 AM