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 1971 and items found in the Archive

RAS AL KHAIMA
1971

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?

1971 DEFINITIVES SHEIK SAQR AND OIL PLATFORM

This set is interesting because a lot of confusion has happened over its status of being issued over the years. Some have stated it was an unissued set. They are not listed in the Michel 1989/1990 specialized catalog nor in Minkus. Some dealers claim they are in Michel as between numbers 140-147. Michel states those numbers are cancelled. That would put the issues as dating in 1966. They are nothing like the 1966 issues. According to the ohmygosh website this set is listed as a 1971 set and they image a registered cover with a couple of the stamps on it proving usage...supposedly. You cannot see the cancel dates. They do appear to be very rare. I have found proof in the year 2020 that the Format Printers made them.

The 5 Dirhams stamp was printed in panes of 55. Interesting yes?
The 30 and 60 Dirhams stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The 20 Dirhams with the Oil Platform were printed in panes of 25.
All were printed on one press sheet.

1971 13TH WORLD SCOUTS JAMBOREE (Japan) Michel #519-26, Blocks 96-7, Minkus #567-76

The single stamps were printed in panes of 20.
The stamps exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheets. Two versions of Deluxe sheet sets exist.

Errors of missing color exist. They were "found" in stocks purchased by Empire Stamp Company at the time of issue. In some instances it is known and documented that certain stamp dealers (probably this one included) had ties to the printers and in reality purchased the errors which were purposely made and then moved them through to other dealers under the false statements of "finding them" in their stocks. As we can see the printers of stamps (not just Format) and the dealers who had associations with them have a long and dark history.


SOUVENIR SHEET
Girl Scouts

SOUVENIR SHEET
Boy Scouts

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GREEN BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE STAMP WITH MISSING COLOR ERROR

1971 SOYUZ XI RUSSIAN COSMONAUTS MEMORIAL
Michel #529-32, Block 98, Minkus #584-7, 587A

The singles exist perforated and imperforate including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.


SOUVENIR SHEET
The Funeral

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH PINK BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

1970 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES (Sapporo 1972) OVERPRINTED SAPPORO OLYMPIC/GOLD MEDAL/WINNERS
Michel #534-9, Block 99, Minkus #339A-344A, 344B

The single stamps were printed in panes of 12 (2 sets) and 3 labels. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. No deluxe sheet sets of the singles with overprints exist.

Noting this set is included on the proof sheet shown with the 1970 World Soccer Cup set proving it was printed by the Format Printers.

SE-TENANT BLOCK OF 6

SOUVENIR SHEET

PANE OF 12 PLUS 3 LABELS

1970 OLYMPIC GAMES (Munich 1972) OVERPRINTED MUNICH OLYMPIC/MEDAL WINNERS
Michel #540-5, Block 100, Minkus #345A-350A, 350B

The single stamps were printed in panes of 12 (2 sets) and 3 labels. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. No deluxe sheet sets of the singles with overprints exist.

Noting this set is included on the proof sheet shown with the 1970 World Soccer Cup set proving it was printed by the Format Printers.

SE-TENANT BLOCK OF 6

SOUVENIR SHEET

PANE OF 12 PLUS 3 LABELS

1971 SOYUZ XI AND THE SALYUT ORBITAL PROJECT
Michel #548-52, Block 101, Minkus #637-43

The single stamps were printed in panes of 20. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.
I have been notified that this set does have forgeries of the deluxe sheetlets. More information on this set can be found at Yu Zubakin's website linked below. It is in Russian so just use Google translator to translate the page if need.

Yu Zubakin's FANTASTIC SALUTE

Also noting that here I present more proof of Format printing.


SOUVENIR SHEET
Soyuz 11 Trip to Salyut Orbital Station

SOYUZ XI AND THE SALYUT ORBITAL PROJECT PANES OF 20

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH GRAYISH BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET

1971 APOLLO XV
Michel #A561-5, Block 103, Minkus #588-94

The single stamps were printed in panes of 20. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.


SOUVENIR SHEET
Apollo 15 Badge

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH SALMON BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

1971 DOGS
Michel #567-72, Block 104, Minkus #595-601

The single stamps were printed in panes of 20. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.


SOUVENIR SHEET

DOGS PANES OF 20

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
These were found in the Format Printers Archive

1971 CATS
Michel #574-A578, Block 105, Minkus #560-6

The single stamps were printed in panes of 20. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.

Noting that as shown with the Dogs issue these are proven to be made by the Format Printers.


SOUVENIR SHEET

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

1971 PAINTINGS BY DURER
Michel #579-84, Block 106, Minkus #602-8

I believe the single stamps were printed in panes of 20. I cannot find evidence (yet) to support this. This set is the first set for Ras al Khaima in the new design in which future issues were created in large (normal size) designs and matching miniature designs. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.


SOUVENIR SHEET

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
These were found in the Format Printers Archive

1971 COMPOSERS
Michel #586-91, Block 107, Minkus #609-15

I believe the single stamps were printed in panes of 20. I cannot find evidence (yet) to support this. This set is the first set for Ras al Khaima in the new design in which future issues were created in large (normal size) designs and matching miniature designs. Perforated and imperforates exist for all including the souvenir sheet. Two varieties of deluxe sheet sets of the singles also exist.


SOUVENIR SHEET

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH WHITE BACKGROUND

DELUXE SHEETLET SET WITH BLUE BACKGROUND AND NUMBERED

PROOF THAT THE FORMAT PRINTERS PRINTED THIS SET
These were found in the Format Printers Archive

References taken from:
Michel Asien II
Minkus Trucial States Stamp Catalog
Evidence found in the Format Archive
Online research

All Content Copyright © 2013 Golowe's Collector Stamps, All Rights Reserved

Return to Format International Security Printers Reference Homepage Here.