Sharjah stamp exhibition chronicles UAE’s historical milestones

Nearly 130 exhibits will be on display at the Sharjah 2013 Stamp Exhibition, highlighting milestones in the UAE's history.

The stamp exhibition in Sharjah’s Mega Mall chronicles milestones in the UAE history. Pawan Singh / The National
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SHARJAH // More than 50 leading stamp exhibitors and nearly 30 dealers are displaying some of their most valuable collections at the Sharjah 2013 Stamp Exhibition.

The event, organised by Emirates Philatelic Association and in its fourth year, is part of the celebrations for the 42nd National day.

“It encompasses a wide-reaching range of philately themes spanning two centuries, displaying some of the world’s most extraordinary and elusive stamps at almost 128 exhibits,” said Abdulla Khoory, the president of the Emirates Philately Association.

The exhibition, in Mega Mall, chronicles milestones in the UAE’s four-decade history. Topics range from 19th century Egyptian postal stationary to the earliest days of postal aviation.

There are also stamps commemorating Kuwait postal services after liberation, and the Arab Summit Conference of 2003.

“Philately is a pursuit enjoyed all around the world, bringing collectors together to exchange not only stamps but ideas,” Mr Khoory said. “It offers a unique way to look at our history.

“After a wonderful opening ceremony, which offered a glimpse into the intriguing series of exhibits we have in store over the five days, we would urge anyone who is interested to come along and explore our collections.”

Mr Khoory said Sharjah itself has a storied postal history. As early as 1932, the idea of establishing an airmail post office in Sharjah was hotly debated, but seems to have been abandoned 10 years later.

It was not until a revival of demand in the 1960s – with Bruce Conde, the famous philately expert, leading a feasibility study – that the city finally opened its first post office in 1963.

Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, speaker of the FNC and an author and writer, opened the event during a ceremony at Mega Mall on Thursday attended by the exhibition’s jury team, five members led by Mr Khoory. Representatives from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq were also present. The Exhibition runs until Monday.

ykakande@thenational.ae