Originally published June 6, 2012.
A set of 4 stamps issued by Ras Al Khaima in 1969 features Napoleon Bonaparte as presented on 4 different portraits.
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The 75 Dirham stamp is based on the chalk drawing of Napoleon done at his home of Malmaison by Jean-Babtiste Isabey. It is the first portrait of Napoleon in undress uniform as First Consul of France. The original drawing was completed in 1801.
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The 1.75 Riyal value depicts the painting done by Antoine-Jean Gros in 1803 of Napoleon distributing Swords of Honour to Grenadiers.
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The 2.75 Riyal stamp features Jacques-Louis David’s portrait of Napoleon crossing the St. Bernard. David painted 5 versions of this painting between 1801 and 1805, and I am guessing that the version on the stamp is based on the 5th version.
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The last stamp in this set features Francois Gerard’s “Napoleon in Coronation Robes” painted around 1804.
As I don’t currently have a Michel catalogue details of the stamps are nil as they aren’t listed in my Scott or Gibbons catalogues.