Inauguration of Port Fuad - December 21, 1926

The inauguration of Port Fuad on December 21, 1926, marked an important event in Egyptian history and philately. Positioned opposite Port Said, the new port town was launched with grand celebrations and substantial media attention.

Rather than issuing a new commemorative set, authorities chose to overprint existing Navigation Congress stamps and the 50PT. King's Birthday stamp with "PORT FOUAD." This lithographic process, executed by the Government Printing Works, transformed regular stamps into rare collectibles.

The production quantities were remarkably small, ensuring these stamps' legendary status in Egyptian philately. Only 2,500 copies of each low-denomination Navigation Congress stamp were overprinted, along with just 1,520 of the high-value 50PT. stamp, including perforation variations.

To further limit availability, 440 full sets were sent to the Universal Postal Union (UPU), leaving only a handful for collectors. Demand on the first issue day was so intense that it led to fatalities and serious damage to the Port Fouad post office.

An interesting anecdote recalls Hassan Mazloum, head of the post office, enforcing individual stamp sales. His brother secured a block of four 50PT. stamps and proudly displayed them. Mazloum, staying firm on his policy, split the block into individual stamps before returning them, saying, "Now, no one has a block, as I requested." Despite this, blocks and even full sheets of the 50PT. stamp remain in existence.

Only 85 sets were sold on the inaugural day, mainly to dignitaries or preserved on first-day covers. These covers, typically canceled at Port Fouad, were often returned to owners without going through the mail system.

The simplicity of the overprints, combined with their rarity, made them prime targets for forgery, ranging from crude imitations to advanced counterfeits requiring expert authentication. The most deceptive forgeries involved genuine unused stamps and covers prepared for mailing in Port Fouad.

Additional unique characteristics include perforation variations, pinholes, and guide marks for precise printing alignment. One sheet featuring an inverted overprint was destroyed before official issuance, maintaining the integrity of these rare stamps.

Today, the Port Fouad overprints hold an esteemed place in Egyptian philately, their rarity and history making them among the most sought-after collectibles.

The PORT FOUAD date stamp and a corner block of the issued stamp, showing a registry guide mark at the lower-left corner.

1926 Inauguration of Port Fouad - Complete Mint NH set of all four values in bottom-left corner sheet marginal control blocks of four. Exceptionally fresh and fine, very few such sets on corner blocks exist—possibly the finest in existence.

**Provenance:** King Carol of Romania

**Expertise:** Signed Gulio Bolaffi & Yakup Nakri