The philatelic legacy of a doomed dynasty

The Qajar dynasty ruled Iran from 1794 to 1925, uniting the country after a vicious civil war. It was a time when Iran sought to rebuild its influence in the region and to raise its international profile. But that meant European powers began to notice Iran, which was then called Persia; they saw it as a potential ally to counterbalance the Turkish Empire, and also as a potential market. Britain and Russia were the two states most involved in this and their rivalry in the region became known as the Great Game.

Stamps begin with the Shah Nasr ed-Din, who ascended to the peacock throne in 1848. He was the most outward looking of all the Qajars, keen to visit, learn from and copy European countries. Nasr ed-Din became aware of stamps on his visits to Europe and wanted to have the same thing in Persia. So in 1865, a delegation was sent to Paris to come up with some essays.

A French artist named Martin Riester obliged and his design, featuring lion with an ornate border, was proofed up in a range