The Dune Stamps of the Trucial States
Often referred to as "wallpaper"
The Dune stamps refer to a series of stamps issued by the Trucial States, which later became part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These stamps were produced in the 1960s and early 1970s in large quantities, mainly to cater to stamp collectors. Despite their high print volume, most of the stamps hold little value today.
Why Are They Called Dune Stamps?
The name "Dune" comes from the fact that these stamps were produced during a period when the region was under British influence, with sets created mainly for the collectors' market. The stamps featured a range of topics, including airplanes, ships, and European landmarks, which had little connection to the actual culture or geography of the Trucial States.
The Story Behind the Stamps
In the 1960s, Finbar Kenny, a stamp dealer, made deals with several of the Trucial States to print stamps on their behalf for sale to collectors. The Dune stamps were characterized by their bright, bold designs, often unrelated to the issuing countries. The production of these stamps ended in 1971, when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was formed.
While many of these stamps were overproduced and not intended for regular postage use, they were sold mainly to collectors. Today, the Dune stamps are largely overlooked by philatelists, although they remain an interesting part of the region’s postal history.