Arafat Definitives 1996
On 20.03.1995 a definitive stamps series depicting President Yasir Arafat was issued. It consists of five stamps in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 Fils. The stamps were printed by Bundesdruckerei GmbH Berlin in sheets of 10 (2x5). Total value: 1,180 Fils. Print run: unknown. Perforation: K 13.75:14. Designer: Wolfgang Mauer.
An official FDC was issued, bearing a special postmark dated 20.03.1996. Additionally there are five FDCs containing the top and bottom pair from the sheet grouped together to resemble a block-of-four cancelled with the special postmark.
There also exist "First Day Leafs" (Ersttagsblätter or ETB) which are traditional to German stamp issues. These generic (ie. not specific to an issue with descriptions etc) leafs contain the top and bottom pair from the sheet grouped together to resemble a block-of-four, cancelled with the special postmark used for the FDC. Reports suggest that only 40 copies were made and presented to officials and dignitaries.
| Zobbel | Value | Size | Perfor. | Printed | Notes |
| 42 | 10f | 27.6x32.9mm | K 13.75:14 | n/a | sheets of 10 (2x5) |
| 43 | 20f |
| 43 | 50f |
| 44 | 100f |
| 45 | 1,000f |
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International Stamp Exhibitions 1996
A series of stamps was issued on 18.05.1996 commemorating four international stamp exhibitions: "China '96" (Beijing), "Istanbul '96", Internationale Briefmarkenmesse Essen '96, and "CAPEX '96" (Toronto). Depicted are:
• Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔) on Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace Gardens, Beijing, China
• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Villa Hügel in Essen, Germany
• Skyline of Toronto, Canada
The four stamps (denominations: 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 Fils) were printed in two different sheet forms:
• regular sheets of 10 (2x5) for each individual stamp.
• a sheet with the stamps printed se-tenant in two blocks-of-four separated by a pair of gutters (depicting the four exhibition logos): Zobbel ZdKb 1.
Total value: 1,170 Fils, ZDKB: 2,340 Fils. The stamps were printed by Bundesdruckerei GmbH Berlin. Print run: unknown. Perforation: K 14:13.75. Designer: Wolfgang Horst.
The regular FDC contains a se-tenant block-of-four and bears a special postmark dated 18.05.1996.
External links:
• Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔) (picture)
• Summer Palace Gardens (Chinese Wikipedia)
• Seventeen-Arch Bridge (Beijing Trip)
• Seventeen-Arch Bridge (Travel China Guide)
• Hagia Sophia Museum (official website)
| Zobbel | Value | Size | Perfor. | Printed | Notes |
| 47 | 20f | 46x27.6mm | K 14:13.75 | n/a | sheets of 10 (2x5), also in se-tenant sheet with 2 blocks-of-four: Zobbel ZdKb 1 |
| 48 | 50f |
| 49 | 100f |
| 50 | 1,000f |
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(sheet: size reduced to 3/4) |
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Elections 1996
A block was issued on 20.05.1996 commemorating the "First Palestinian Legislative and Presidential Elections". It contains one stamp denomnated at 1,250 Fils. The block was printed by Bundesdruckerei GmbH Berlin. Print run: unknown. Perforation: K 13.75. Designer: Wolfgang Mauer.
An FDC was also issued, bearing a special postmark dated 20.05.1996.
One should note an error in the Arabic inscription at the bottom of the stamp where the letter alef is missing twice:
لسلطة لفلسطينية should read السلطة الفلسطينية. However this is not a variety but an error in the stamp design. There exist no stamps with the correct inscription! (see illustrations below).
This block is reported with changes in colour saturation incidental to the printing process. The illustrations shown below (scanned in one go) were selected from a run of 200 blocks (two whole packages) to show the two extreme ends of the variations found.
| Zobbel | Value | Size | Perfor. | Printed | Notes |
| 51 | 1,250f | 35.1x35.1mm | K 13.75 | n/a | Block: Zobbel Bl. 4 (105.2x70.6mm) |
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Illustration of missing alef design error.
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Illustration of changes in colour saturation.
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Olympic Games 1996
A series of stamps and a block was issued on 19.07.1996 on the occasion of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 100th anniversary of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The stamps are denominated at 30, 40, 50, 150, and 1,000 Fils, total: 1,270. The stamps of 50, 150, and 30 Fils are printed se-tenant in a block, total value: 230 Fils. The Stamps (sheets of 10, 5x2) and the block were printed by Bundesdruckerei GmbH Berlin (print run: unknown) and perforated K 13.75. Designer: Detlef Glinski.
Two FDCs were issued, one containing the stamps, the other the block; both cancelled with a special postmark dated 19.07.1996.
The 40 Fils stamp, Zobbel no. 53, is reported with changes in colour saturation (sporting a more blueish appearance) incidental to the printing process. This 'variant' was purchased from the offical philatelic office in Gaza. An illustration is shown below.
External links:
• Designs of Glinski (Wikimedia Commins)
• Designs of Glinski (Philateca)
| Zobbel | Value | Size | Perfor. | Printed | Notes |
| 52 | 30f | 35.1x35.0mm | K 13.75 | n/a | Sheets of 10 (5x2)
Zobbel no. 52, 54, and 55 printed se-tenant in a block: Zobbel Bl. 5 (140.1x105.9mm) |
| 53 | 40f |
| 54 | 50f |
| 55 | 150f |
| 56 | 1,000f |
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(block: size reduced to 3/4)
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Illustration of changes in colour saturation.
Thanks to Thomas Schubert for the report and illustration.
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