Page 36 - DILMUN 11

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The last British Agency issue appeared on Feb­ The Government of Bahrain took over the
ruary 22nd, 1964, and portrayed the new ruler external mail services on January 1st, 1966, from
Shaikh Issa bin Suleman al-Khalifa on the seven which date the British Agency Office for Bahrain
low values, and the Air Terminal at Muharraq and ceased to exist. The new stamps were due for issue
the new deep water port Mina Suleman on the on that date but their appearance was delayed until
Rupee values. This was the first occasion on which January 21st-. Meanwhile, the 1964 definitives
Bahrain provided an official first day cover bearing continued in use, but they were invalidated from
the State badge and with a cachet based on the January 21st, and, when incorrectly used even as
“envelope" type of first day of issue cancellation early as February 2nd, were cancelled with a blue
then in use in Great Britain. crayon cross, the date-stamp being struck along­
side.
With that very correct observance of U.P.U.
regulations, the Bahrain Postal Service embarked I
on its independent existence; since when it has
( j '--t •: ■ ' followed a very conservative policy, having issued
no further definitives and only ten commemora­
& V tive sets of low face value up till political indepen­
w. TM dence in 1971.
BAHRAIN

I Drawing 665 Issued stamp Reprinted by kind permission of
Essay
the author

l i

Postal Independence
With the approach of the hand-over, a new set of
l definitives was ordered from Harrisons. Denomi­
nations were in the new currency (1000 Fils — 1
Bahrain Dinar), and the four lower values featured
I views of Muharraq Airport and the wharf at Mina
the Ruler's portrait; the middle values showed new
Suleman.
l garish in appearance, are exceedingly interesting
The four higher values, although somewhat
for their subjects. The 100 fils shows an under­
water view of pearling, for long the mainstay of
i Bahrain's economy; and the 200 fils depicts fal­
conry and horse racing, the chief local sporting
activities. The 500 fils has hospitality as its theme,
with the traditional Arab coffee pot and cup
against a background of the Ruler's Palace,
situated on a commanding position at Rifa'a on the
Manama-Awali road.
The Dinar value is quite remarkable for what it
show's; Baab al Bahrain (the archw'ay between the !l
w'aterfront and the bazaar in Manama); the old
Suuq al Khamis (Thursday Market) Mosque, of
which little more than its twin minarets remain
standing; coffee pot, sailing ship, pearl necklace,
horse, the State Crest and the Ruler's portrait; and
last, a date palm. The date industry is as old as
pearling, and the crop of ‘Rutb* (fresh) and ‘Tamr’ IJ
(dried) dates is sufficient for 8 - 9 months local {!
requirements. i
1
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