British Post Turkish Empire Stamps
British Post in the Turkish Empire operated across the Near East and Eastern Mediterranean, primarily serving British diplomatic, commercial, and military interests within the Ottoman domains. These offices, established under the framework of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) agreements, issued stamps valid for use within the Ottoman Empire, often denominated in Turkish piastres or other relevant currencies.
- Issued stamps
- 1885–1921
- Region
- Middle East, Levant and Anatolia
- Currency
- TRY
- Languages
- English, Turkish
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Great Britain
History and background
The postal history is characterized by overprints on British definitive issues, reflecting the significant British presence in key port cities like Constantinople, Smyrna, and Salonica until the early 20th century. Issues ceased following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent realignment of postal jurisdictions after World War I.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- LEVANT
- PIASTRES
How to identify them
- Look for British definitive stamps (Victoria, Edward VII, George V) with overprints such as 'LEVANT', 'PIASTRES', or specific Turkish currency values.
- Examine the overprint for authenticity and correct font/spacing, as forgeries exist.
- Check watermarks and perforations consistent with the underlying British issues.
Popular series
-
British Levant Overprints
1885-1921
British definitive stamps overprinted with 'LEVANT' or specific currency denominations (e.g., 'PIASTRES') for use in the Ottoman Empire.
-
King Edward VII Issues
1902-1913
British King Edward VII stamps overprinted for use in the Turkish Empire, often with values in piastres.
-
King George V Issues
1913-1921
British King George V stamps overprinted for use in the Turkish Empire, representing the final issues before cessation of services.
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–£5,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific overprint, denomination, condition, and rarity of the underlying British stamp. Early issues and higher denominations tend to be more valuable. Covers and postal history items are also highly sought after.
Catalogs. British Post Turkish Empire 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 Post Turkish Empire stamps
British Post Turkish Empire stamps are British definitive postage stamps that were overprinted with 'LEVANT' or specific Turkish currency denominations (e.g., 'PIASTRES') for use by British postal agencies operating within the Ottoman Empire from 1885 to 1921. These offices served British diplomatic, commercial, and military interests.
The value of British Post Turkish Empire stamps varies widely. Common issues can be found for a few pounds, while rare overprints, high denominations, or stamps on cover can fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Factors like condition, specific overprint variety, and rarity significantly influence their market value.
To identify British Post Turkish Empire stamps, look for standard British definitive designs (Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V) bearing an overprint indicating their use in the Levant, often with a value in piastres. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
British Post Turkish Empire stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Stanley Gibbons 'Great Britain Specialised Catalogues' (specifically Volume 1: Queen Victoria or Volume 2: King Edward VII to King George VI), the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under Great Britain or British Levant), and the Michel Europa-Katalog (under Great Britain or Levant).
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