Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History Stamps
Identification, history, popular series & stamp values
About Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History Stamps
Alexandria, while a major historical city, did not function as an independent sovereign entity issuing its own national postage. As a vital port city in Egypt, its postal services were historically administered under various foreign and domestic authorities, most notably the Egyptian Khedivate and later the British administration. Stamps issued for use in Alexandria would primarily reflect the broader Egyptian postal system, often featuring Arabic and sometimes French or English inscriptions due to its cosmopolitan nature and international trade connections. The postal history of Alexandria is therefore intrinsically linked to the evolution of the Egyptian postal administration throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Issuer Overview
- Region:
- Africa
- Subregion:
- North Africa
- Issuing period:
- 1846 – 1846
- Languages:
- Arabic, French, English
- Currency:
- EGP
- Parent issuer:
- Egypt
Stamp Catalogs
Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History stamps are listed in the following catalogs:
Popular Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History Stamp Series
Egyptian Khedivate Issues for Alexandria (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)
Stamps of the Egyptian Khedivate used in Alexandria, often identifiable by cancellations or specific overprints for foreign post offices.
British Consular Post Offices in Alexandria (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)
British stamps used in Alexandria, often with 'Alexandria' cancellations or specific overprints.
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Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History Stamp Value Overview
Value Notes: The value of stamps related to Alexandria largely depends on their specific origin (Egyptian, British, French, etc.), the clarity and rarity of the cancellation, and the condition of the stamp. Early Egyptian Khedivate issues with clear Alexandria cancellations can be moderately valuable, while foreign post office issues with specific Alexandria markings can command higher prices.
How to Identify Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History Stamps
Key features to look for when identifying Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History stamps:
- 1 Look for 'Alexandria' or 'Alexandrie' in cancellations on stamps of Egypt, Great Britain, or France.
- 2 Examine the design and inscriptions for Arabic, French, or English text, typical of Egyptian postal issues of the period.
- 3 Identify the issuing authority (e.g., Egyptian Khedivate, British Consular Post) based on the stamp's design and country of origin.
Related Issuers & Topics
Explore stamps from related regions and historical entities:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Alexandria stamps?
Stamps associated with Alexandria refer to the postal history of this major Egyptian city. While Alexandria itself did not issue its own national postage, stamps used there were primarily those of the Egyptian postal administration (Khedivate, Kingdom of Egypt) and various foreign post offices (e.g., British, French, Austrian, Italian) that operated within the city due to its international importance. Identification often relies on specific cancellations or overprints.
Are Alexandria stamps valuable?
The value of stamps used in Alexandria varies significantly. Common Egyptian stamps with ordinary Alexandria cancellations might be worth a few dollars. However, rare foreign post office issues with distinct Alexandria markings, early Egyptian Khedivate stamps with clear, desirable cancellations, or stamps with postal history significance (e.g., on cover) can be quite valuable, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on rarity and condition.
How can I identify Alexandria stamps?
Identifying stamps used in Alexandria primarily involves examining the cancellation marks. Look for 'Alexandria', 'Alexandrie', or Arabic equivalents in the postmark. The stamp itself will typically be from Egypt, Great Britain, France, or other European nations that maintained post offices in the city. Using a stamp identifier app can help you determine the stamp's origin, after which you can focus on the cancellation for its Alexandria connection.
Which catalogs list Alexandria stamps?
Stamps related to Alexandria's postal history are generally listed within the catalogs of the respective issuing countries. For Egyptian stamps, Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons catalogs will cover the Khedivate and Kingdom of Egypt issues. For foreign post offices in Alexandria, you would consult the catalogs for Great Britain, France, Austria, Italy, etc., often under sections dedicated to 'Abroad' or 'Foreign Post Offices'. These catalogs will often detail specific cancellations or overprints relevant to Alexandria.
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