Bridge Stamps from Lebanon
Lebanese stamps are a source of modern Lebanese history that reflects the political and ideological processes that have occurred during the last 80 years. The stamps are investigated against the background of historical events and developments that are necessary for understanding these stamps.
The examination of 1,440 Lebanese stamps issued between 1924 and February 2006 shows that the desired visual representation of the Lebanese state, nation and society has not dramatically evolved over time along with the changing outlook of the national elite, and its relationship with ordinary citizens and the country’s geopolitical context.
The appearance of illustrated Lebanese stamps with Lebanese geography (1925-1929), shows this visual representation with thirteen different images, which were issued and reprinted with different additions in addition to Chiffre Tax- Postage. Due stamps depicting six additional places was a symptom of the efforts made for the realization of the newborn state “Liban”, its stamps being issued to identify and consolidate its newly gained territories. Thirteen stamps representing the Cedar Tree plus nine other historical places were first issued and thus established the first contextual icons. The Lebanese identity was born parallel to the iconic parameters focusing on geography.
Between 1930 and 1943, sixteen series were issued, seven of which were commemorative; these stamps install a symbolic presence of ideological fundamentals of statehood as an instrument of structural modernization.
The period 1943-1976 witnessed the issuance of 208 sets, out of which 143 sets were commemorative. These stamps were issued during five presidential mandates. Stamps continued to appear following the basic pattern concerning geographical identification as those from the previous period. Technical progress in picturing and printing was implemented and resulted in the evolution of the stamps’ features. The repeatable prevailing discourse of the stamps was built on an ideology that is summarized by saying that a State’s political legitimacy is gained through its achievements.
The period 1975-1989, which saw political conflicts that led to the retreat of the State, was a time when new issues were rare or even lacking. Only 26 sets were issued most, of which were commemorative. From the Taef Agreement until today, (1989-2006), the revival of the Lebanese stamp has continued; but the process of issuing stamps is still in intensive care. A major feature is the Commemoration of Independence every 10 years (1993, 2003). The existence of themes related to Women, Human Rights, and Celebrities is a positive indication, yet there was still no indication of concern about emigrants.
BridgeGuys: The above is an excerpt from the ndu chronicle, or Notre Dame University Bulletin, Issue No. 8, July 2006, in .pdf file format. The website for the Bridge Federation of Lebanon is http://bridgeliban.com/.
The stamps issued by Lebanon are in commemoration of the Championnat de Bridge in the year 1965, when Mr. Charles Helou was President of Lebanon (1964-1970) and Mr. Hussein al-Oweini was Prime Minister of Lebanon (1964-1965), in which year Mr. Rashid Karami became Prime Minister of Lebanon (1965-1966).