New Member From New Zealand. Returning To Collecting, Interests In Iran / Iraq Old Stamps + NZ

Hello from the bottom of the world!

I've recently returned to collecting to pick up my old collection and the extensive one of old Persian/Iran and Iraq stamps left to me by my father.

He always told me he'd let me know what the valuable ones are before he died, but then never did. I have stored his collection for 6 years since his passing and am now been brave enough to explore it.

I have a lot to learn or relearn aand look forward to help from a friendly community.

I do know that my interest is in knolwedge and hobby, and although I would be keen to sell some (there are many duplicates) I mostly want to fill gaps and gather information about the stamps I have.

I've already been made aware that Iran particularly in the period of 1865-1925 has many forgeries. Typical of my dad to be so interested in this period. Though it makes the job in front of me much harder!

I feel like I know nothing but I hope in due course I can contribute back to the forum with some knowledge.

Pete (KiwiMonkey)

Welcome to SCF!

There are a couple of students of early Iran here, (I think) me included, so if you have questions, please ask. There are already some threads on the subject archived on SCF. There are also reprints to deal with aside from forgeries, so it can get more complicated. The catalog for the Qajar Dynasty stamps (currently available as an e-book) from Persiphila is THE reference to have. Thanks again to Climber Steve for sending me down the rabbit hole by noting that that reference existed.

Hello, and welcome. And do show us some of the Iraqi stamps as you sort them out - some of my favourites.

KiwiMonkey,

Collecting for the enjoyment of collecting, whatever that might be, is the name of the game. Don't hesitate to ask questions especially if you need basic information and especially more advanced sources of information for any possible topic. You should be able to find folks on this board a little further along on their collecting journey glad to share experiences.

My personal bias is a used stamp loses the story of its journey in the postal service when it is removed from the cover it transported to its destination. Collecting postal history adds a whole new aspect to your journey in our hobby.

Wishing you many enjoyable future days in our hobby. Russ

Hello and welcome back to a great hobby. If you already have or are starting a New Zealand collection, I have a ton of duplicates that I can provide gratis, depending on your wants/needs. I believe that new members can't use the forum email system, so if you're interested, we can figure out a way to communicate. Cheers.

Many thanks for the warm welcome.

It will be a pleasure to share and learn.

hy-brasil - I will search the archives so I don't fall into the immediate trap of asking basic questions already thoroughly answered. And I shall investigate Persiphilia. Great lead from you/Climber Steve; looks like I am going to need it.

hoosierboy - indeed, I love to see a cover with a postmark and ponder the history. I will share the ones I have unearthered in my dad's library. Sample added herein.

GeoffHa - happy to share discoveries (and no doubt frustrations) as I sort the sheep from the goats, or forgeries from the real, like the attached.

Oracle of Delphi - yes please re NZ stamps down the track. I have mint and used collections (with some gaps) that I literally haven't opened for decades. It will be good to complete. I shall tackle Iran first!

Iraq for me, rather than Iran.

128 Mitcham Lane thse days. Bit of a do-er upper!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-p...aaa006bcf5#/

Welcome to the forum!

Iranian covers from this period are scarce and yours is no exception. Might you have early New Zealand covers, too?

The Iran cover will provide you with genuine overprints to measure (genuine: right around 18.5 wide x 18mm tall) and compare the details with loose stamps. The correct date at the bottom should be 1319 or 912. Some forgeries have got the date right though sometimes it can be unreadable.