BAHRAIN STAMPS

The history of Bahrain stamps dates back to the late 19th century when the island was a British protectorate. The first stamps used in Bahrain were actually Indian stamps that were overprinted with the word "Bahrain" in Arabic. These stamps were used between 1884 and 1933.

In 1933, Bahrain issued its first set of stamps, which featured the portrait of the then-ruler of Bahrain, Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa. This set consisted of six stamps, with denominations ranging from 3 annas to 2 rupees. The stamps were printed in India and were also overprinted with the word "Bahrain" in Arabic.

In 1948, Bahrain issued a new set of stamps featuring the portrait of the new ruler, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. These stamps were printed in London and were in use until 1957.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Bahrain issued several sets of stamps featuring a variety of themes such as sports, flora and fauna, and historical events. The stamps were printed by various printing houses, including Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. and De La Rue.

In 1980, Bahrain issued a set of stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight to Bahrain. The stamps featured the portrait of the pilot, Harry Riggs, and the plane he flew, a Short S.8 Calcutta.

Since then, Bahrain has issued many other sets of stamps on a wide variety of themes, including national holidays, wildlife, and local landmarks. In recent years, Bahrain has also started to issue stamps featuring popular culture icons, such as the famous Bahraini singer, Um Kalthoum.

Today, Bahrain stamps are highly collectable and sought after by philatelists around the world. The designs and themes of Bahrain stamps offer a unique glimpse into the country's rich history and culture.

 

Philatelic postscript: Bahrain's mail service was originally operated by India, until 1948 when the British Post Office took over. This system continued until 1966 when an internal system was brought into operation.

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