Egypt - Stamp Auctions

Postal services were introduced in Egypt during the Napoleon invasion in 1799. Hand stamps for the four main cities are from "ALEXANDRIE", "LE CAIRE", "BENESOUEF" and "SIOUTH". In 1821 Carlo Meratti, an Italian, organized first postal system in Egypt. The hand stamps were inscribed in Italian. Postal service with Europe was introduced in 1842 this service was a private enterprise, known to philatelist as "POSTA EUROPEA". In 1857 Meratti received Government permission handle all Egyptian postal services. On 1 January 1865 the Egyptian Government, realizing the financial benefits of the post purchased it back and took control of this service. The service was renamed to "POSTE VICE-REALI EGIZIAN" on 1 January 1866 the first Egyptian stamps were issued consisting on 7 values. In 1875 Egypt joined the UPU. European governments provided post services particularly in Alexandria and Port Said. British, French, Italian, Austrian, Russian and Greek post offices operated on Egyptian soil some as late as the 20th century. British troops stationed in Egypt used special stamps inscribed BRITISH FORCES IN EGYPT or ARMY POST EGYPT Egypt post opened offices in Sudan, using Egyptian stamps. A total of 27 post offices were opened in Sudan, they can only be identified by the cancellation. In 1897 the stamps were overprinted "SOUDAN". Four post offices operated in Somalia and one in Eritrea. Other post office was opened in the Turkish Empire. The present day location of these post offices is in Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Syria. Some operated for only a few years, the last one was closed in 1881. Egypt is a very popular with collectors, Egyptian stamps and postal history items bring high prices in stamp auctions.