British Occupation of Iraq Overprinted Ottoman Stamps (1918–1921)

The British Occupation of Iraq stamps, based on the 1914 Turkish pictorial issue, serve as a fascinating chapter in philately. These stamps were overprinted and surcharged for use during the British administration of Iraq following the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. This unique set reflects a transitional moment in the region’s history and provides collectors with a range of artistic and historical significance.

Overview of the Set

Main Features

1. Base Designs: Ottoman pictorial stamps from 1914.
2. Overprints and Surcharges: Added in English (e.g., “IRAQ,” “IN BRITISH OCCUPATION”) for administrative use.
3. Designs: Featuring iconic Ottoman-era landmarks, such as Leander’s Tower, mosques, fountains, and historical monuments.

Surcharges and Errors

This series is particularly notable for its diverse surcharges and overprint varieties, including rare and valuable errors.

(a) No wmk. Tougra as A (1 Sept 1918–1920)

1. ¼a. on 5pa. dull purple. Leander’s Tower
   A historic tower on a small islet in the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul, often associated with legends and maritime navigation.
2. ½a. on 10pa. green. Lighthouse Garden, Stamboul
   A scenic garden surrounding a lighthouse in the historic district of Istanbul, offering views of the Bosphorus.
3. 1a. on 20pa. red. Castle of Europe
   Known as Rumeli Hisar, this medieval fortress on the European side of the Bosphorus played a key role in Ottoman military history.
4. 1½a. on 5pa. dull purple (1920). Leander’s Tower
5. 2½a. on 1pi. bright blue. Mosque of Sultan Ahmed
   The famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, an iconic structure known for its six minarets and exquisite, blue-tiled interior.
   1. a. Surch inverted
6. 3a. on 1½pi. grey and rose. Martyrs of Liberty Monument
   A memorial commemorating those who died defending the Ottoman Constitution in the early 20th century.
   1.  Surch double (Bk.+R)
7. 4a. on 1¾pi. red-brown and grey. Fountains of Suleiman
   Elegant public fountains commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent, reflecting Ottoman architectural beauty.
   1. Centre inverted
8. 6a. on 2pi. black and green (32 mm surch). Cruiser Hamidiye
   A celebrated Ottoman warship named after Sultan Abdul Hamid II, known for its service during the Balkan Wars and World War I.
   1. Centre omitted
   2. Surch 27 mm wide 
9. 8a. on 2½pi. green and orange (30 mm surch). Candilli, Bosphorus
   A charming neighbourhood along the Bosphorus, famous for its historical wooden mansions and lush surroundings.
   1. Surch inverted
   2. b. Surch 27 mm wide
10. 12a. on 5pi. deep lilac. Former Ministry of War
    The building that once served as the Ottoman Ministry of War, an important site in the empire’s administrative history.
11. 1r. on 10pi. red-brown. Sweet Waters of Europe
    A picturesque area along the Bosphorus known for its serene streams and as a favourite leisure spot in Ottoman times.
12. 2r. on 25pi. yellow-green. Suleiman Mosque
    A grand mosque built by Suleiman the Magnificent, showcasing masterful Ottoman architecture by Sinan.
13. 5r. on 50pi. rose (32 mm surch). Bosphorus at Rumeli Hisar
    A stunning viewpoint near Rumeli Hisar, offering breathtaking views of the Bosphorus Strait and its historic surroundings.
    1. a. Surch 27 mm wide
14. 10r. on 100pi. indigo. Sultan Ahmed’s Fountain
    An ornate fountain built in the Ottoman Baroque style, located outside the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, serving both decorative and practical purposes as a public water source. 

(b) No wmk. Tougra as B (one device instead of two) (1921)
15. 1r. on 10pi. red-brown

(c) Wmk Mult Script CA (sideways on ½a., 1½a.) (1921)
16. ½a. on 10pa. green
17. 1½a. on 5pa. dull purple
18. 2r. on 25pi. yellow-green

The original settings of Nos. 1/18 showed the surcharge 27 mm wide, except for the 2½a. (24 mm), 4a. (26½ mm), 6a. (32 mm), 8a. (30½ mm), 12a. (33 mm), 1r. (31½ mm), 2r. (30 mm) and 5r. (32 mm). The 6a., 8a. and 5r. came from a subsequent setting with the surcharge was 27 mm wide. Minor variations in the width of the surcharge on other values exist but are not significant. On all surcharged values apart from the 2½a. and 12a. there is a stop after the ‘An’. On those two values there is no stop.

Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7/9 are known bisected and used on philatelic covers. All such covers have Makinah or F.P.O. 339 cancellations.

During January 1923 an outbreak of cholera in Baghdad led to the temporary use for postal purposes of the above issue overprinted ‘REVENUE’.

Historical Context

The stamps reflect the post-World War I occupation of Iraq, during which the British government managed the region under a League of Nations mandate. As resources for creating entirely new stamps were limited, existing Ottoman designs were adapted with surcharges and overprints to denote their use in British-controlled Iraq.

These stamps not only fulfilled postal needs but also served as symbols of authority and transition during this politically charged period.