EgyptFirst Postage Stamp

The first issue of the future Khedivate

Egypt’s philatelic story began on 1 January, when its first seven stamps were issued under Ismaʿil Pasha. Printed in Genoa by the Pellas Brothers, the designs combined intricate geometric ornamentation with black Ottoman-Turkish inscriptions, reflecting Egypt’s place within the Ottoman Empire while developing its own postal identity. The coloured frames were printed specifically for Egypt, with the black inscriptions applied separately. Most values were lithographed on paper watermarked with a pyramid and star, while the 1 piastre featured here was typographed and unwatermarked. Perforations varied, typically around 12½, and centering was notoriously uneven. Proofs and trials reveal further experimentation, with perforation gauges ranging from 11½ to 14. It all began with this elegant set of seven, carrying Egypt’s name into the world just as the Suez Canal neared completion.