Home My Stamp Reference Files Contact About Links Sitemap

THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

Stamp issues for Libya printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive

Flag of Libya
Marquee for Golowe's Reference Site on the Format International Security Printers

LIBYA

Libya stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.

The Format Printers produced quite a few sets of stamps for Libya. As with many of the African countries imperforate and deluxe sheetlet varieties were produced for many stamp issues from 1962 onward. Standard practices under orders from the philatelic agents was to produce them in limited numbers. Usually imperforate sets ranged around 5,000 sets. The deluxe sheetlets ranged from 1,000 sets to 3,000 sets depending on popularity of the subject.

Libya stamps are an interesting study. There appears to be no catalogs that tell us who printed the stamp issues. On many earlier issues we can see by logo's and color guides on the selvage who printed them. From the mid 1970's onward the majority of stamps do not have neither logo's nor color guides and thus it is very difficult to define who the printer was. Through online research I have been able to present this page with verified issues the Format International Security Printers printed. As luck would have it many are verified by materials found in the printers archive. Artist sketches, proofs and some uncut press sheets were found. Finding some earlier issues with the Format Logo and such still attached also qualified them for this page. The probability that some issues are missing of which Format was the printer is real. Some issues I expect are but I could not find proof of printing and so they are not shown here. Should you have proof of printing for an issue not found on this page, please contact me with your evidence and I will add the issue to this page.

There is proof from the archive that the Format Printers were involved in the design of at least one of the generic First Day Covers on which many Libya stamp issues are on. Issues from 1978 to 1989 are on the cover designed by Format shown here.
Example of Libya Generic First Day Cover designed by the Format Printers

The last FDC I could find on this cover was a 1989 issue. That is when the printing company began liquidation proceedings. I also wish to note the similarities to stamps of the Trucial States (Ajman, Fujiera, etc.) for some sets for Libya. The strips of three for many issues is one example.

The following sets are verified to have been printed by the Format Printers.

1971 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #420-1, SG #224-7

Libya 1971 2nd Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps

1976 INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES COUNCIL
Scott #639-41, SG #324-7

Libya 1976 International Archives Council Stamps

1977 7TH INTERNATIONAL TURF CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TRIPOLI
Scott #699-704, SG #324-7

Libya 1977 7th International Turf Championships in Tripoli Stamps
Libya 1977 7th International Turf Championships in Tripoli Souvenir Sheet

1977 DOME OF THE ROCK IN JERUSALEM
Scott #705-6, SG #324-7

Libya 1977 Dome of the Rock Stamps

1977 THE GREEN BOOK
Scott #707, SG #324-7

Printed in panes of 5 strips.

Libya 1977 The Green Book by Khadafy Stamps
Stamp Pane of Five Strips of Three
Libya 1977 The Green Book by Khadafy Stamp Pane

1978 TURKISH-LIBYAN FRIENDSHIP
Scott #739-41, SG #324-7

Libya 1978 Turkish-Libyan Friendship Stamps

1978 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #742-5, SG #224-7

Libya 1978 9th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps
Libya 1978 9th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Souvenir Sheet

1978 TECHNICAL COOPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONFERENCE
Scott #756-8, SG #324-7

Libya 1978 Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries Conference in Argentina Stamps

1978 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF POWERED FLIGHT
Scott #769-75, SG #224-7

It is with this set that production of varieties like deluxe sheets, imperforates and sheetlet varieties became a standard for popular issues.
All exist imperforate. Standard printing practices would produce 3-5000 sets.

Libya 1978 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight Stamps
Icarus Falling
Libya 1978 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight Icarus Falling Souvenir Sheet
Eagle and Boeing 727
Libya 1978 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight Boeing 727 Souvenir Sheet
A Set of Sheetlets of Four
Libya 1978 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight Sheetlets of 4 Set

A Set of Deluxe Sheets
Libya 1978 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight Deluxe Sheet Set

1979 FLORA OF LIBYA, FLOWERS
Scott #779-84, SG #324-7

Exist imperforate.

Libya 1979 Flora of Libya Stamps

1979 ANIMALS
Scott #797-804, SG #324-7

Libya 1979 Animals Stamps

1979 17TH TRIPOLI FAIR RUGS
Scott #805-9, SG #324-7

Exist imperforate.

Libya 1979 17th Tripoli Fair Rugs Stamps

1979 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD
Scott #810, SG #324-7

Exist imperforate.

Libya 1979 International Year of the Child Stamps

1979 THE ARABS ACHIEVEMENTS
Scott #815-16, SG #324-7

Libya 1979 The Arabs Achievements Stamps

1979 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY
Scott #817-19, SG #324-7

Libya 1979 World Meteorological Day Stamps

1979 WORLD HEALTH DAY
Scott #820, SG #324-7

Libya 1979 World Health Day Stamps

1979 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #821-6, SG #224-7

Libya 1979 10th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps
Revolution Symbols and the Green Book
Libya 1979 10th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Green Book Souvenir Sheet
Monument Building
Libya 1979 10th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Monument Building Souvenir Sheet

1979 WORLD UNIVERSITY SUMMER GAMES
Scott #827-8, SG #324-7

Exist imperforate.

Libya 1979 World University Summer Games Stamps

1979 3RD WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXHIBITION
Scott #832-3, SG #324-7

Libya 1979 3rd World Telecommunications Exhibition Stamps

1979 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR OF THE GREEN BOOK, BENGHAZI
Scott #834-5, SG #224-7

Libya 1979 International Seminar of the Green Book Stamps
Libya 1979 International Seminar of the Green Book Souvenir Sheet

1979 EVACUATION OF FOREIGN FORCES
Scott #837-9, SG #224-7

Libya 1979 Evacuation of Foreign Forces Stamps
Libya 1979 Evacuation of Foreign Forces Souvenir Sheet

1980 MILITARY BATTLES (1st Issue)
Scott #853-6, SG #324-7

Essays and Documents show that Format printed all of the Battles issues.
Some imperforates exist but appear uncommon. Certain stamps from some issues appear to be quite uncommon now.

Libya 1980 Military Battles (1st Issue) Stamps

1980 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPEC
Scott #867-8, SG #324-7

Libya 1980 20th Anniversary of OPEC Stamps

1980 MARTYRDOM OF OMAR MUKTAR
Scott #869-70, 870A SG #224-7

Exist as imperforates.

Libya 1980 Martyrdom of Omar Muktar Stamps
Libya 1980 Martyrdom of Omar Muktar Souvenir Sheet

1980 SCHOOL SCIENTIFIC EXHIBITION AND BIRTH MILLENIUM OF AVICENNA
Scott #871-2, SG #324-7

Libya 1980 School Scientific Exhibition and Birth Millenium of Avicenna Stamps

1980 MILITARY BATTLES (2nd Issue)
Scott #893-6, SG #324-7

Libya 1980 Military Battles (2nd Issue) Stamps

1981 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED
Scott #910-12, SG #324-7

Exist imperforate.

Libya 1981 International Year of the Disabled Stamps

1981 UPA DISABLED PERSONS CAMPAIGN
Scott #913-14, SG #324-7

Libya 1981 UPA Disabled Persons Campaign Stamps

1981 MILITARY BATTLES (3rd Issue)
Scott #921-32, SG #324-7

Libya 1981 Military Battles (3rd Issue) Stamps

1981 THE GREEN BOOK, PEOPLE'S AUTHORITY DECLARATION
Scott #950-1, SG #324-7

Libya 1981 The Green Book, People's Authority Declaration Stamps

1981 INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR COMBATING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Scott #958-9, SG #324-7

Imperforates Exist.

Libya 1981 International Year for Combating Racial Discrimination Stamps

1981 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #960-5, SG #224-7

Imperforates exist.

Libya 1981 12th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps
Libya 1981 12th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Souvenir Sheet

1981 BUTTERFLIES
Scott #966, SG #324-7

Issued in panes of 16 and sheetlets of 4. Imperforates and the color proof sets in the panes and sheetlets Exist.

Libya 1981 Butterflies Stamps

A Set of Sheetlets of Four
Libya 1981 Butterflies Sheetlet Set

1981 WORLD FOOD DAY
Scott #967-8, SG #324-7

Imperforates and color proof sets Exist.

Libya 1981 World Food Day Stamps

1982 MILITARY BATTLES (4th Issue)
Scott #980-91, SG #324-7

Libya 1982 Military Battles (4th Issue) Stamps

1982 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Scott #1016-21, SG #224-7

Issued in Sheetlets of 4 and sheetlets of 8. Sheetlets of 8 were overprinted with large soccer ball in motion across the sheetlet. Unoverprinted sets come from the sheetlets of 4. All the varieties exist imperforate. Standard printing practices would produce 3-5000 sets.

Set with no Overprint
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Stamps with no Overprint
Set with Overprint
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Stamps with Overprint
Head Shot
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Head Shot Soccer Play Souvenir Sheet
Goal Kick
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Goal Kick Souvenir Sheet
A Set of Sheetlets of Four
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Sheetlets of 4 Set

A Set of Sheetlets of Eight
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Sheetlets of 8 Set

A Set of Deluxe Sheets
Libya 1982 World Cup Soccer Championships Deluxe Sheet Set

1982 BIRDS
Scott #1023, SG #324-7

Issued in panes of 16 and sheetlets of 4.

Libya 1982 Birds Stamps

A Set of Block Panes Containing four Blocks of Four
Libya 1982 Birds Block Pane Set

1982 19TH SUMMIT FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
Scott #1035-8, SG #224-7

Libya 1982 19th Summit for the Organization of African Unity Stamps
Libya 1982 19th Summit for the Organization of African Unity Souvenir Sheet

1982 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #1039-45, SG #224-7

Imperforates exist.

Libya 1982 13th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps
Libya 1982 13th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Souvenir Sheet

1983 FLOWERS
Scott #1052, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 Flowers Stamps

1983 MILITARY BATTLES (5th Issue)
Scott #1059-70, SG #324-7

Libya 1983 Military Battles (5th Issue) Stamps

1983 FARM ANIMALS
Scott #1083, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 Farm Animals Stamps

1983 1ST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON KHADAFY'S GREEN BOOK
Scott #1097-1100, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 1st International Symposium on the Green Book Stamps
Libya 1983 1st International Symposium on the Green Book Souvenir Sheet

1983 FISH
Scott #1107, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 Fish Stamps

1983 PAINTINGS
Scott #1108-9, SG #224-7

Issued in Strips of four on panes of 16.

Libya 1983 Paintings Stamps

1983 SCIENTISTS
Scott #1110, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 Scientists Souvenir Sheet

1983 WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES
Scott #1130-6, SG #224-7

Libya 1983 Women in the Armed Forces Stamps
Libya 1983 Women in the Armed Forces Souvenir Sheet

1984 WATER SPORTS
Scott #1164, SG #224-7

Libya 1984 Water Sports Stamps

1984 AFRICAN CHILDREN'S DAY
Scott #1165, SG #224-7

Libya 1984 African Children's Day Stamps

1984 THE GREAT MAN-RIVER BUILDER
Scott #1169-71, SG #224-7

The strips of 3 were issued in panes of 5 strips. The 100d stamp was issued in panes of 12 stamps.
The Gold embossed souvenir sheet was made by an affiliate to the Format Printers. The Format Printers did not create embossed stamps.

Libya 1984 The Great Man-River Builder Stamps
Libya 1984 The Great Man-River Builder Souvenir Sheet

1984 TRIPOLI INTERNATIONAL FAIR TEA SERVING
Scott #1179-84, SG #224-7

Libya 1984 Tripoli International Fair Tea Serving Stamps

1984 MUSICIANS
Scott #1185, SG #224-7

Issued in panes of 5 Strips plus labels. Imperforates and color proof sets exist.

Libya 1984 Musicians Stamps

Full Pane of Four Strips
Libya 1984 Musicians Full Pane

1984 ABROGATION OF THE MAY 17 TREATY
Scott #1196-8, SG #224-7

Libya 1984 Abrogation of the May 17 Treaty Stamps

1984 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #1214, SG #224-7

Imperforates and color proofs in full panes exist.

Libya 1984 15th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps

1984 EVACUATION DAY
Scott #1215-18, SG #224-7

Libya 1984 Evacuation Day Stamps

1985 MUSICIANS
Scott #1239-42, SG #224-7

Imperforates in full panes exist.

Libya 1985 Musicians Stamps

1985 PEOPLE'S AUTHORITY DECLARATION
Scott #1248, SG #224-7

Issued in panes of four strips.

Libya 1985 People's Authority Declaration Stamps

1985 MUSICIANS PLAYING INSTRUMENTS
Scott #1249, SG #224-7

Issued in panes of five strips.

Libya 1985 Musicians Playing Instruments Stamps

1985 CHILDREN'S DAY DRAWINGS
Scott #1250, SG #224-7

Issued in panes of five strips.
Imperforates and color proofs in full panes exist.

Libya 1985 Children's Day Drawings Stamps

1985 TRIPOLI INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
Scott #1258-9, SG #224-7

Imperforates and color proofs exist.

Libya 1985 Tripoli International Book Fair Stamps

1985 MOSQUE MINARETS AND TOWERS
Scott #1262, SG #224-7

Libya 1985 Mosque Minarets and Towers Stamps

1985 TEACHER'S DAY
Scott #1263-4, SG #224-7

Libya 1985 Teacher's Day Stamps

1985 BATTLE OF THE PHILADELPHIA
Scott #1265, SG #224-7

Issued in Panes of five strips.

Libya 1985 Battle of the Philadelphia Stamps

1985 KHADAFY'S ISLAMIC PILGRIMAGE
Scott #1266-7, SG #224-7

The strips were issued in Panes of five strips.

Libya 1985 Khadafy's Islamic Pilgrimage Stamps

Libya 1985 Khadafy's Islamic Pilgrimage Souvenir Sheet

1985 MOSQUE ENTRANCES
Scott #1273, SG #224-7

Issued in Panes of five strips.

Libya 1985 Mosque Entrances Stamps

1985 EVACUATION DAY
Scott #1275, SG #224-7

Issued in Panes of six strips.

Libya 1985 Evacuation Day Stamps

1986 GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Scott #1305, SG #224-7

Issued in Panes of five strips.

Libya 1986 Government Programs Stamps

1986 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST REVOLUTION
Scott #1316, SG #224-7

Issued in Panes of five strips.

Libya 1986 17th Anniversary of the September 1st Revolution Stamps

1986 INTERNATIONAL PEACE YEAR
Scott #1320-1, SG #224-7

Libya 1986 International Peace Year Stamps

These were the last stamps with proof that they were printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Libya.

References taken from:
Stanley Gibbons Online Catalog
Scott Catalog
Inventory list for the Format Archive by Robson Lowe
Internet Research

All Content Copyright © 2016 Golowe's Collector Stamps, All Rights Reserved

Return to Format International Security Printers Reference Homepage Here.

Collector stamps are fun!

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional

Valid CSS!

UPDATED LAST ON: 18-Jan-2016 10:03 AM