AEROGRAMMES
The First Issue - 15 June 1963
- The above two items are essays for the 20np aerogramme. In the top illustration the sheet is uncut and has no glue on the flap. Also, the image is in blue and all the printing is double, except for the stamp image, with one of them being much lighter than the other.
The lower image is a cut sheet of the above. It is identical in every respect, except for the fact it was cut to shape.
- A First Day Cover of the first aerogramme - 20np, canceled 15 June 1963.
- The above three aerogrammes were the first to be issued by the new country. They all had the cancelation that was used for the First Day Ceremony for the stamps, were issued on the same day, and use some of the same images used on the stamps. The three values - 20np, 30np, and 40np are the most expensive set of all of the Dubai aerogrammes. Note that the 20np value was printed in carmine, rather than blue, as in the essays. To date, no known "created errors" have been found.
Mr. Stephan would never talk about the aerogrammes no matter how many times I asked about them, other than stating they were the responsibility of Mr. Lorenzo, the Postmaster.
The "Dhow"issue - 21 November 1963
- The 20np illustration (brown) is a First Day Cover.
The First Scout Issue - 29 March 1964
- The Scout issue had a different format. The blue front and back was printed on white paper, whereas the earlier aerogrammes were printed on paper all of one color. Different shades of the blue exist.
Reprinted Scout issue - same colors (Date unknown)
- The above large, uncut aerogramme image has the broken "E" and it reads, "FIRST FOLD HERF".
Once it was realized that Scout issue was popular with collectors, and a great deal of money could be made from it, the three different values were reprinted with slight differences in the images. In addition, on the flap where the instructions for folding the aerogramme were printed, the line "FIRST FOLD HERE", due to the broken final "E" in "HERE" now reads "FIRST FOLD HERF". While the letter looks like an "F", it is really a broken "E". To complicate matters more, some of the reprints do have "HERE" with the letter "E", before it was broken. Thousands were reprinted and for years Mr. Mosden offered large lots of them for sale. He often told dealers that it was the last of them, even though he had thousands more. He laughed when describing that they printed and sold them without gum on the flap.
- The original 20np aerogramme image is on the left and the reprint on the right. Note that the "20" in Western numbers of the reprint is different. Also the pole held by the Scouts is different to the right of "Air Mail" in Arabic and English.
- The original 30np aerogramme image is on the left and the reprint on the right. Note that the grass in the bottom left hand corner of the reprint is missing.
- The original 40np aerogrammee image is on the left and the reprint on the right. Note that the vertical English "Air Mail" on the left is further away from the frame on the left.
Views of Dubai - 1 October, 1964
- Above is variety of the 20np value. The image is not centered and is on a slight angle. This is most likely a created item.
Second Scout Issue (New colors) - 7 December 1964
- Again, due to the popularity of the Scout theme, the original set of three was reissued in different colors. The colors seem very similar to each other but consist of the following: 20np - gray-green; 30np - gray-brown; and 40np violet. It appears that none were printed bearing the "FIRST FOLD HERF" and the set was not used for creating errors. This was the last set issued under the Baroody contract.
Educational Progress - 23 October 1965
- This aerogrammed is a companion piece to the set of stamps and souvenir sheet that was issued with the same design. The overall layout is different and it was the first aerogramme printed after the close of the Baroody contract. It was printed by the National Printing Press. Genuine errors exist with images and colors missing.
Waterfowl - 17 September 1966
- The layout of this aerogramme was similar to the Educationl Progress issue illustrated above. The image and all writing is in red and is similar to that on the Educational Progress aerogramme.
The Apsley Air Letter - 1966-67
- Known as the "APSLEY" Air Letter, these aerogrammes are printed without the postage of any particular country and were used by applying the particular postage of the given contry. These were used in Dubai for a short period of time between the Waterfowl issue and the next Dubai aerogramme. This particular example was sent for the Director of Posts of Dubai to the well known New York stamp dealer, Mr. J.F. Drucette Dias on December 17, 1966.
Falcoln Aerogramme (Small envelope) - Date of issue unknown - 1967
Falcon Aerogramme (Large) - Date of issue unknown - 1970?
- Same designs but two different sizes of aerogrammes. The smaller size, at the top, is layed out like the other small sized aerogrammes, but the larger one has a different format and is illustrated directly above it.
- There are two known varieties of the black surcharge on the aerogramme. Note the differences in the Western "6" and the "r" in the Arabic "Dirhams". One measures 28mm across by 18mm high, whereas the other is 19mm by 20mm. The surcharge/overprint was done some time in 1971.
Arab Postal Union Aerogramme - Date of issue unknown - 1971
- The above surcharge was applied to the Arab Postal Union aerogramme most likely sometime in 1971. What is interesting is that it is in "fils", rather than "Dirhams".
- The final use of the Arab Postal Union aerogramme had a similar surcharge (Although there are differences, plus an additional overprint over "DUBAI", with "UAE" added. It is believed this aerogramme was overprinted in 1973.
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