British Occupied Bushire Stamps
British Occupied Bushire refers to a temporary administrative area in the Persian Gulf region of the Middle East, established by the British during World War I. This territory, centered around the port city of Bushire (Bushehr) in modern-day Iran, was administered under the British Indian postal system.
- Issued stamps
- 1915–1915
- Region
- Middle East, Persian Gulf
- Currency
- INR
- Languages
- English, Persian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Great Britain
History and background
Stamps issued for this area typically featured overprints on Indian postage or British definitive issues, often denominated in Indian currency and bearing English text alongside Persian script. The postal service ceased operations following the formal withdrawal of British forces and the reassertion of full Iranian sovereignty.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for the overprint 'Bushire' (often in English and sometimes with Persian script) on stamps originally issued for British India.
- Stamps will typically feature portraits of British monarchs (e.g., King George V) or Indian designs.
- Denominations will be in Indian currency (annas and rupees).
Popular series
-
Indian Stamps Overprinted 'Bushire'
1915
Indian definitive stamps overprinted 'Bushire' in various types and colors, issued during the British occupation.
-
King George V Issues Overprinted
1915
Specific King George V definitive issues of India, surcharged and overprinted for use in Bushire.
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
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific Indian stamp overprinted, the type of overprint, condition, and any varieties (e.g., inverted overprints, errors). Higher denominations and specific overprint varieties are considerably more valuable.
Catalogs. British Occupied Bushire 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 British Occupied Bushire stamps
British Occupied Bushire stamps are postage stamps issued during a brief British military occupation of the port city of Bushire (Bushehr) in Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1915, during World War I. These were primarily Indian postage stamps overprinted with 'Bushire' and sometimes surcharged.
Yes, many British Occupied Bushire stamps can be quite valuable, especially those with rare overprint varieties, higher denominations, or in pristine condition. Common issues may be worth a few dollars, but rare varieties can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars among collectors.
You can identify British Occupied Bushire stamps by looking for the distinctive 'Bushire' overprint on stamps that are clearly Indian in origin, often featuring British monarchs or Indian designs. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
British Occupied Bushire stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information, including varieties, issue dates, and estimated values.
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.