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.
- Issued stamps
- 1846–1846
- Region
- Africa, North Africa
- Currency
- EGP
- Languages
- Arabic, French, English
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- Egypt
History and background
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.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Alexandria' or 'Alexandrie' in cancellations on stamps of Egypt, Great Britain, or France.
- Examine the design and inscriptions for Arabic, French, or English text, typical of Egyptian postal issues of the period.
- Identify the issuing authority (e.g., Egyptian Khedivate, British Consular Post) based on the stamp's design and country of origin.
Popular 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.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $1–$20
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1,000+
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.
Catalogs. Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Alexandria (Egypt) Postal History 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.
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.
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. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
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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