Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s postage stamps, which document key historical events and national symbols, are a vital element of communication and a reflection of the country’s identity, with the King Abdulaziz Public Library holding a collection of over 13,000 stamps that reveal the important communicative role given to them by King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the oldest stamp in the collection was issued in March 1925 and bore the phrase “Mail of the Sultanate of Najd.” This was succeeded by stamps commemorating the first Hajj during the Sultanate of Najd’s reign and the entry into Jeddah in December 1925.

In 1349 AH, a historic stamp was issued to mark King Abdulaziz’s accession to power, featuring the first appearance of the royal emblem: the two crossed swords with a palm tree. This symbol has become synonymous with the Kingdom’s identity.

The first stamp to bear the name “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” was issued in 1934. In 1945, a commemorative set was released to mark King Abdulaziz’s meeting with King Farouk of Egypt. A subsequent set in 1946 commemorated King Abdulaziz’s return from his visit to Egypt, featuring a map of the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia joined the Universal Postal Union in 1929, reflecting its commitment to establishing a global postal presence. The first official Saudi stamp was issued in 1334 AH, making the Kingdom the second Arab country to issue regular and commemorative stamps. The postal service has since undergone significant development, particularly with the initiation of the five-year development plans in 1390 AH.