Dubai 1963 Malaria Issue: Dubious 'SPECIMEN' Overprints of Scott 22-24
(Published: February, 2026, Volume 24, Number 1, Issue #55) (Table Of Contents)(Author: Dr. Peter Friederich)
In 1963, Dubai issued a series of stamps to promote the campaign against malaria (Scott 22–27). Between late 2023 and early 2025,
nine stamps suddenly appeared for sale on eBay and Delcampe: three Dubai values (Scott 22–24) bearing a “SPECIMEN” overprint in three colors -
black, red, and blue. None of these overprints is listed in any standard catalog or in the Malaria handbook.
A dealer in Lebanon offered these items at prices ranging from $30 to $47 under the following description:
Great Britain Colonies British Dubai 1963 Malaria WHO Insect Mosquito Proofs Essays MN"
Malaria Eradication Insect Mosquito Science Medicine
WHO World Health Organization Disease Health
Errors Freaks Oddities Proofs Essays Trials
Stamps Handstamped 'Specimen' from UPU Archives
Condition Superb MNH Mint Never Hinged
Scott Catalogue 22, 23, 24
Michel Catalogue 38, 39, 40
When I asked the dealer why these nine “SPECIMEN” overprints had appeared only now, the dealer provided background on how he obtained the stamps. According to his account, the malaria stamps were released a few days before Christmas, on December 20, 1963, designed by the Armenian artist Armen Tcheterian. Dubai’s postal adviser at the time was the Italian‑Lebanese Edmond Toufic Lorenzo (d. 1999), and the printing contractor was the Lebanese dealer and printer George Hajj (d. 2007).
The dealer further stated that, in his view, a sheet of each error and proof had been retained by Hajj for his personal stock, as Hajj was also active as a stamp dealer. After Hajj's death, his daughter, whom the dealer knows personally, sold the material to him. The sheets were reportedly no longer complete, suggesting that Hajj had previously sold sets or distributed them to dignitaries in the Arab Emirates to secure additional printing contracts. The same source credits Hajj with obtaining contracts for other Emirates and being involved in many Trucial States issues (Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm al‑Quwain, Ras al‑Khaimah), as well as some Yemen issues, working through several printing houses (Imprimerie d’État, Imprimerie Catholique, Hélio Press, Itani Printing).
For an expert opinion, the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA) was also consulted. Their assessment is unequivocal: ”The items are fabricated, and the "SPECIMEN" overprints were most likely produced by the Lebanese dealer Tony Helou.”
Conclusion: All nine “SPECIMEN” overprints on Dubai Scott 22–24 in black, red, and blue must be regarded as falsifications.
A dealer in Lebanon offered these items at prices ranging from $30 to $47 under the following description:
Great Britain Colonies British Dubai 1963 Malaria WHO Insect Mosquito Proofs Essays MN"
Malaria Eradication Insect Mosquito Science Medicine
WHO World Health Organization Disease Health
Errors Freaks Oddities Proofs Essays Trials
Stamps Handstamped 'Specimen' from UPU Archives
Condition Superb MNH Mint Never Hinged
Scott Catalogue 22, 23, 24
Michel Catalogue 38, 39, 40
When I asked the dealer why these nine “SPECIMEN” overprints had appeared only now, the dealer provided background on how he obtained the stamps. According to his account, the malaria stamps were released a few days before Christmas, on December 20, 1963, designed by the Armenian artist Armen Tcheterian. Dubai’s postal adviser at the time was the Italian‑Lebanese Edmond Toufic Lorenzo (d. 1999), and the printing contractor was the Lebanese dealer and printer George Hajj (d. 2007).
The dealer further stated that, in his view, a sheet of each error and proof had been retained by Hajj for his personal stock, as Hajj was also active as a stamp dealer. After Hajj's death, his daughter, whom the dealer knows personally, sold the material to him. The sheets were reportedly no longer complete, suggesting that Hajj had previously sold sets or distributed them to dignitaries in the Arab Emirates to secure additional printing contracts. The same source credits Hajj with obtaining contracts for other Emirates and being involved in many Trucial States issues (Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm al‑Quwain, Ras al‑Khaimah), as well as some Yemen issues, working through several printing houses (Imprimerie d’État, Imprimerie Catholique, Hélio Press, Itani Printing).
For an expert opinion, the Emirates Philatelic Association (EPA) was also consulted. Their assessment is unequivocal: ”The items are fabricated, and the "SPECIMEN" overprints were most likely produced by the Lebanese dealer Tony Helou.”
Conclusion: All nine “SPECIMEN” overprints on Dubai Scott 22–24 in black, red, and blue must be regarded as falsifications.