Saudi Arabia 177a

     The stamp, issued in 1946, commemorates the return of King Ibn Saud from Egypt. The stamp was required on all mail from January to July 1946. The Arabic inscription below the map indicates that the stamp was issued "Commemorating the return of His Majesty the King to the Capital of His Kingdom in the month of the Safar of the year 1365." The year 1365 according to the Moslem lunar calendar extended from December 6, 1945 to November 24, 1946. The King referred to is Ibn Saud who returned from his meeting with King Farouk of Egypt, January 24, 1946. The flags on either side of the crossed swords bear the words "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His Prophet."