THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

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

MAURITANIA

Mauritania stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.
Links to pages with information on items found in the archive

Noting for Mauritania that Stanley Gibbons nor any other catalog seems to note who the printers were during the time that Format printed stamps for Mauritania. By scanning thousands of images looking for clues like the color guides and logo's and analyzing archival material I am able to present this page.

As Noted in Scott Catalog, from 1960 onward the majority of sets were produced in limited numbers as imperforates, on deluxe sheetlets etc. Not only did Format have orders to produce them but Fournier, Impressor, De la Rue and other printing companies also had the same orders long before Format ever made stamps for Mauritania. The evidence is the stamps themselves. Again I state that many other printing companies of the time were producing imperforates, deluxe sheetlets, specimen's, color proofs etc. in limited quantities exactly as the Format printers were. The quantities they produced were just never exposed because they were never put on trial. Therefore valuation of these varieties should be equal no matter who printed them.

1975 APOLLO SOYUZ SPACE TEST PROJECT
Scott #339-40, C156-C158, SG #488-92, MS493

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3-5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist in only one type. Perforated with pink background. They are very common as far as availability.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Astronauts and Cosmonauts


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Unofficial Authenticated Imperforate Set
These cards were made up by a dealer. The claimed quantity is wrong as the general standard print run was 5,000 sets, not 2500 sets. Official proof sets are on Format Presentation cards. Any cards like these are to be questioned. There are a number of sets which this dealer created these cards for. All have the wrong quantities that exist. Should this dealer wish to contend the fact then let them show proof to the contrary.


1976 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL
Scott #341-2, C160-C162, SG #494-8, MS499

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. Perforated and imperforate. It appears that the perforated variety is scarcer whereas the imperforate varieties are very common as far as availability.



American Infantryman


Perforated Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Imperforate Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1976 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZEPPELIN
Scott #341-2, C160-C162, SG #494-8, MS499

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. Green and white. It appears that the white variety is scarcer whereas the green varieties are very common as far as availability.



Fürersland (LZ-129) over 1936 Olympic Stadium


Perforated Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Imperforate Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 VIKING MARS PROJECT
Scott #352-3, C173-C176, SG #530-4, MS535

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.

The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist in only one type. They are semi-common as far as availability.



Viking Lander Using Probe


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS
Scott #359-60, C177-C180, SG #541-5, MS546

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.



George C. Marshall, Peace


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1977 HISTORY OF AVIATION
Scott #367-72, SG #554-8, MS559

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. White backgrounds and tan backgrounds. The tan backgrounds are scarcer whereas the white are very common as far as availability.



Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Tan Background


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background


1977 ELIMINATION GAMES FOR WORLD CUP SOCCER
Scott #375-7, C182-C184, SG #562-6, MS567

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. White backgrounds and light Brown backgrounds. The white backgrounds are scarcer whereas the light brown are fairly common as far as availability.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Players Holding Pennants


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Brown Background


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background


1977 RUBENS PAINTINGS
Scott #378-82, SG #568-71, MS572

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
It is odd but I found only one value as a deluxe sheetlet at the time of this page creation. Perhaps they are still stocked somewhere.



Rubens with Wife and Son


Deluxe Sheetlet


1978 ENDANGERED ANIMALS (WWF)
Scott #383-8, SG #573-8

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. White backgrounds and Pale Green backgrounds.



Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Pale Green Background


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background


1978 ARGENTINA VICTORY OF THE WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott #399-401, C187-C189, SG #581-5, MS586

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 3,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets exist with two types. Light Blue backgrounds and Decorative Light Blue backgrounds. The Decorative Light Blue backgrounds appear scarcer whereas the plain light blue are fairly common as far as availability.
There are two types of overprints. Metallic Silver and Metallic Red. It appears that the red overprints are slightly rarer.



Players Holding Pennants with Silver Overprint




Players Holding Pennants with Red Overprint


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Light Blue Background


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with Decorative Light Blue Background


1979 DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL
Scott #415-19, SG #614-17, MS618

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3-5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist only in one type. They are very common as far as availability.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Sir Rowland Hill and Early Mauritania Stamp


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING
Scott #425-6, C192-C195 SG #624-8, MS629

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist with the overprint.



Viking Lander Using Probe with Silver Overprint


1979 PRE-OLYMPIC YEAR
Scott #427-31, SG #630-3, MS634

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3-5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist only in one type. They are very common as far as availability.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare. There were several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles.



Running


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 WINTER OLYMPICS, LAKE PLACID
Scott #432-7, SG #635-40

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3-5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist only in one type. They are very common as far as availability.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.



Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1980 WINTER OLYMPICS WINNERS, LAKE PLACID
Scott #440-5, SG #646-51

The stamps with the overprint appear to not exist imperforate nor on any deluxe sheetlets.



1981 ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE CHARLES AND LADY DIANA
Scott #480-3, SG #701-3, MS704

The stamps and the souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. Deluxe sheetlet set around 3-5,000 sets.
The deluxe sheetlets appear to exist only in one type. They are common as far as availability.

A number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are rare. Kasimir Bileski acquired them. There were 6 press sheets that were canceled to order (CTO) and several mint sheets. All were broken into gutters etc;.
Noting the press sheets contained the 3 values in panes and what is called a "blank" pane. Sets blocks and other pieces which include blanks (dark brown in color) came from the press sheets. For the CTO varieties I acquired most of what exists in one of the Bileski Estate lots.
Another interesting note is that the printer did not put any logo's nor color guides on the sheets.
There were several press sheets of the souvenir sheet. All were cut into imperf between pairs and large selvage singles which can be considered quite rare.



Coach and Royal Couple


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1982 21ST BIRTHDAY OF PRINCESS DIANA
Scott #515-7, SG #733-4, MS735

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.
Noting this set was placed on the same sheet as several stamps from the Congo.



Portrait of Princess Diana


1982 BIRTH OF PRINCE WILLIAM
Scott #518-21, SG #739-41, MS742

The stamps and souvenir sheet with overprint exist imperforate. No deluxe sheetlets with the overprint appear to exist.

A small number of uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces from them as in cross gutters, gutters and large selvage pieces are very rare.
Noting the press sheets were with the original issue of this set. Only a couple had the overprint.

These were the last stamps printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Mauritania. The company went into bankruptcy in 1989.



Coach and Royal Couple Souvenir Sheet with Overprint


As you can see every set has imperforates that were made as do most sets made by other printers during the same time era. This is proof that the printers were under contracts that allowed them to be made for promotional reasons and for sale to collectors. Therefore any discrepancy with pricing them for less because they were made by the Format Printers and more because they were made by Fournier or another company should be disregarded because the quantities that exist are equal no matter who made the stamps.

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

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