1953, Two stampless covers from Jerusalem and Amman to local
destinations, each bearing provisional circular handstamps in lieu
of postage
1953, Two stampless covers from Jerusalem and Amman to local
destinations, each bearing provisional circular handstamps in lieu
of postage due to temporary stamp shortage, one struck with PAID
JERUSALEM 23 JUL 53 in violet, the other with PAID AMMAN 28 JUL 53
in red, both officially authorized emergency usages during early
Hashemite postal administration, rare matching pair illustrating
dual-city application of provisional marking within one week, very
clean strikes and excellent condition, from territories newly
incorporated into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, namely the West
Bank and East Bank, following the Rhodes armistice agreements,
under the evolving administrative authority of King Abdullah I, who
was assassinated just two years prior in 1951, succeeded by his
grandson King Hussein in May 1953, the use of provisional PAID
circular datestamps reflects an acute postal crisis due to a
shortage of valid Jordanian stamps in the aftermath of the
annexation of the West Bank, with local postmasters resorting to
official cachets to denote prepaid postage, these markings are
historically tied to the post-conflict integration of Jerusalem and
Amman into a singular postal and governmental system, such
handstamped covers are scarce, especially as a matched intercity
pair, both dated within a span of five days, showcasing
simultaneous procedural adaptations in distinct urban
centers—Jerusalem being a city of contested spiritual and political
significance, Amman the consolidating capital of the Hashemite
state, the JERUSALEM strike is particularly notable for its clarity
and violet ink, a color seldom preserved so vibrantly, while the
AMMAN example in red ink contrasts beautifully, enhancing the
visual and philatelic appeal of the ensemble, postal historians
regard these covers as tangible evidence of state-building
mechanisms through philately in a time of geopolitical realignment,
ex Kugel, SUP! Estimate 10.000€.
