This page is a feature of the
PHILATELIC EXPERTS web site

ARAB KINGDOM OF SYRIA
Stamp dealers and expert marks

In November 1918 most of the Ottoman province of Syria was conquered by Arab (under Amir Faisal) and British troops. It had, however, been agreed that after WW1 Syria was to become a French sphere of influence. In accordance with that agreement, a provisional French administration was in 1919 established in the coastal districts (Lebanon, Territory of the Alawites (Latakia)). Also see Arwad island.

In March 1920 Amir Faisal proclaimed an independent Kingdom of Greater Syria, including eg. the vilayets of Damascus and Aleppo. In July 1920 French troops occupied Damascus and deposed King Faisal, who was later to become King of Iraq.

The first occupation stamps used in Syria were the British EEF-stamps. In January 1920 they were replaced in inner Syria by overprinted Ottoman stamps issued by the Faisal administration. These short-lived overprint issues have been extensively forged.

The handbook Philatelic History of the Arab Kingdom of Syria by Alexander Kaczmarczyk and Rodney Unwin (revised edition published in 2014) also contains detailed forgery information. Through Kemal Giray of www.balkanphila.com, London, the sole distributor of the book, I have got permission to publish images of two pages from the handbook:

Old-time dealers in Faisal stamps.

Expert marks seen on forged stamps.

G. Kock,  May 2018
Address of this page:
www.filatelia.fi/experts/syria.html