Interpol

A (very) small collecting area in the world of thematic philately is called INTERPOL. But collecting a small theme can also be great fun, and a story can be attached to it. In total, about 130 stamps related to Interpol have been issued worldwide. Italy had the honor of issuing the first Interpol stamps in 1954.

Origin

The first attempts at international police cooperation date back to 1914. At that time, following reports of a widespread trade in white female slaves in Monaco, a meeting for police officials was convened by Prins Albert I. However, the First World War thwarted the continuation of these plans. In 1923, police officials from around the world gathered in Vienna for the Second International Police Congress. Dr. Hans Schober, the head of the Vienna police, wanted to implement the ideas from 1914. His proposal was approved by 138 delegates representing 20 countries. Interpol was born. On the 1974 Interpol stamp from Monaco, we see both mentioned years (1914 Monaco and 1923 Vienna) appear.

White WaveDesign logo

The first Interpol logo bore the abbreviation of the first official name of this institution: CIPC (International Criminal Police Commission). I have not been able to trace this emblem philately. In 1956, a name change took place to: Organisation Internationale de Police Criminelle (OIPC), which to this day remains the official name of what we INTERPOL to call it. This abbreviation and the English translation International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO) can be found on the current Interpol emblem, where we also see a globe, a sword, and a (justice) scale.

Establishment

Interpol's first headquarters was located in Vienna from its founding in 1923. In 1946, the headquarters moved to France, where in 1966 the Interpol Secretariat-General was housed in Saint Cloud, a suburb of Paris. In 1989, it moved to a state-of-the-art office building in Lyon. Philately, the Interpol building in St-Cloud can be found on various stamps. The most notable issue is that of Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania. The first stamp lists St Clans, France as the place name. When the error was discovered, a new stamp was issued, now with the correct location, St Cloud, France.

Task

Interpol's task is the coordinated fight against international crime by facilitating the exchange of information with all police authorities of the member states. In the digital world in which we live today, it is inconceivable that the first exchange of information still took place using "Morse codes," as can be seen here on the Interpol seal of Austria. Interpol is not a super-detective. Interpol is “only” an administrative center, an intermediary. Interpol has a National Central Office in every member state. That office ensures that requests from other member states are carried out, such as requesting suspicious photos or comparing fingerprints.

Narcotics

Particularly in connection with drug trafficking, individuals are quite frequently flagged as “International Criminals.” If this occurs in the Netherlands, the Dutch Interpol Bureau handles the flagging at the request of a police force; this is then distributed to all member states with a request to arrest the person in question. However, a country is not obliged to comply with this. For example, they may refrain from doing so for political reasons. There are two “Interpol stamps” that refer to narcotics: On the stamp of the Dominican Republic, we see hemp, the raw material for hash; on the stamp of Laos, we see a poppy field, the raw material for heroin.

Annual meetings

Every year, Interpol holds an annual or regional meeting in a different country. Collectors then hope that this country will also commemorate this philately with a stamp. This year (2009), the 38th regional conference was held in San Marino, and sure enough, a (beautiful) stamp was issued to mark the occasion.

Jubilees

In 1973, Interpol celebrated its 50th anniversary. Philately, this was commemorated by 46 member states with the issuance of a commemorative stamp, including Niger. In 1998, Interpol celebrated its 75th anniversary. Only Mexico and Algeria commemorated this anniversary with the issuance of a postage stamp.

The Netherlands

In 1950, it was the Netherlands' turn to host the annual Interpol meeting. This 19th meeting took place from June 19 to 22, 1950, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the current International Court of Justice. Philatelic sources mention this, including a commemorative stamp. As a Dutch touch, I can also mention that Suriname did issue Interpol stamps in 1973 in connection with the 50th anniversary.

Books

Various writers use or misuse Interpol in their novels. Because authors are not required to adhere to reality, they can often romanticize the role of Interpol. In 1973, Nicaragua issued a series of 12 Interpol stamps featuring 12 famous detective writers. Pictured is Inspector Maigret by the writer George Simenon. What do you think? A theme for which only 130 stamps exist... worth it or not?