The Camel Postman Stamps of Sudan

Though Sudanese postage stamps are somewhat uncommon to find, many collectors recognize the classic design called "The Camel Postman". The first appearance of the design was in March 1898, after which it was used more or less consecutively for the next 50 years, and even today the "Camel Postman" appears on Sudan stamps in modified form.

In 1821 Egypt invaded and occupied what is now Sudan. In 1881 Muhammad Ahmad, proclaiming himself the Mahdi, led an uprising and gained control of the Sudan until, in 1899, an Anglo-Egyptian army defeated the Mahdi and created an Anglo-Egyptian condominium.

In 1897 Egyptian sphinx and pyramid stamps were overprinted in French (SOUDAN) and Arabic by the Government Printing Works in Cairo, for use in Sudan. The first Sudanese stamps - featuring the camel postman - were issued on 1 March 1898.

The evolution of the design makes for an interesting story. Initially a traveling artist was asked to submit a design, but his depiction of the rock temple at Abu Simbel was not adopted, either because the artist's fee of 25 guineas was considered too excessive, or it was not clear whether Abu Simbel was actually within the borders of Sudan or not. Instead, Lord Kitchener ordered Captain (later Colonel) Edward Alexander Stanton, a surveyor and mapmaker with the British Army, and an accomplished illustrator, to design the stamp. As Stanton was a member of the Anglo-Egyptian Army, his services would be at no cost.

Kitchener gave Stanton a week to complete the design. Inspiration escaped Stanton until the regiment's mail was delivered by camel instead of the usual river steamer. Stanton had his idea, and a camel and rider were "borrowed" from a local tribe, bags filled with chopped straw were attached to the saddle to imitate mailbags, and soon Stanton had finalized a sketch of the Sheikh riding through the desert. The names of 'Khartoum' and 'Berber', two towns in Sudan, were added afterwards to the mailbags on the design.

To Stanton's great relief, Sir Herbert accepted his drawing and in March 1898 postage stamps prepared by Thomas de la Rue with Stanton's illustration were issued. When Stanton saw the stamps he was very pleased with the results, and asked for a set signed by Kitchener. Kitchener replied that he would be happy to do this, providing that Stanton paid the cost of the stamps. Stanton later went on to be Governor of Khartoum in the 1930s.

The 'Camel Postman' continued to be used on Sudan's postage stamps for a long time. In the early months of 1931 the camel postman stamps were overprinted for airmail use, and during the Second World War supplies often ran out, meaning that the stamp was often overprinted. The bombing of the de la Rue printing works during the War resulted in Sudan turning to India to get its stamps printed, and a new design was adopted. In 1948, however, the Camel Postman was re-introduced with modified Arabic script on the stamp. Besides being used as a long standing definitive stamp, the design has also been incorporated in various commemorative issues. On 1 March 1998 Sudan commemorated the centenary of the Camel Postman by a special stamp issue.

The Camel Postman has not only appeared the postage stamps of Sudan, but also on banknotes and coins as well. Further information: avies, H.R.J. The Camel Postman and other Sudan postage stamps. Sudan Studies, no.23, 1999, pages 9-15.