Afghan Philately, 1871-1989

A vast hardbound work of 571 large-size pages printed on coated stock and hardbound in black, red, and green - the national colors of Afghanistan. The Sher Ali Khan period (1871-8) is well covered, with much new information supplied by Horst Dietrich, including for the first time photos of complete sheets with the correct platings of each and every value and plate. Both stamps and postal history are treated with illustrations of rare covers plus information garnered from the unpublished notes of the renowned Afghan collector Winthrop S. Boggs. The coverage of the complex Abdur Rahman period (1880-1906) contains much useful information. From 1907 to 1992 the focus is on the stamps. Each and every stamp is illustrated, and detailed background data is supplied: value, color, date issued, printing, paper, perforation, size, gum, sheet size, and a commentary. This provides an important fundamental record for all Afghan collectors. The relevant historical background is also given allowing one to understand the context in which the stamps were issued. The book closes with appendices which include a large annotated bibliography, an illustration and translation of every Dari/Pushto inscription found on an Afghan stamp, and a concordance of major catalog numbers.