The total solar eclipse of August 11, 1999 was probably experienced by more people than any other in history as it crossed Europe, the Middle East and crossed the Indian subcontinent. The Islamic Republic of Iran was one of the prime viewing locations along the path because it had the highest probability of clear skies. To commemorate the event, a special series of five stamps was issued showing the progression of an eclipse.

Nojum (Iranian Astronomy) Magazine -- the only astronomy magazine in the Middle East -- has made blocks of these stamps available in a traditional Persian frame. Proceeds from sales of these stamps will go into a fund for periodicals, books and other resources from the United States, resources that are scarce and hard to acquire in Iran. Nojum acts as a center for the amateur astronomy community in Iran and is a leader in education and the promotion of astronomy throughout the country. Iranian amateur astronomers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable but lack the resources of the west; most do not own a telescope and eagerly consume materials from educational organizations like Nojum. For more about these generous people and their fabulous country, see the report on my eclipse trip in Iran.

Ordering the Iran 1999 commemorative eclipse stamps in a Persian frame:

The block of Iran 1999 eclipse stamps in a Persian frame, as shown above, is available for $30 US, including postage from Iran. I take the orders for the eclipse stamps and forward the information on buyers to Nojum (Astronomy) Magazine in Iran. The framed set is then sent to you directly from Iran. I keep the money here in the US for magazine subscriptions (Sky and Tel, Astronomy) and equipment purchases that are difficult for the magazine to acquire from Iran.

To order:

• E-mail your mailing address to me at eclipse99@mwoa.org.
• I will send you my mailing address (for security, I don't post my address on the Web).
• Send a check for $30 for each set made out to "Mike Simmons". $30 includes the stamps, frame and shipping from Iran (yes, it's a bargain in western money).
  
  OR
  
  
• I have a personal PayPal account and can accept a limited number of credit card orders that way (PayPal has a limit on the monthly amount that personal accounts can collect). The account to make payments to is eclipse99@mwoa.org. Be sure to include your mailing address in the notes or send me a separate e-mail message with mailing instructions.
  
  
• Allow three to four weeks for the stamps to arrive from Iran. Contact me at any time if you have any questions

Of course, e-mail me if you have any questions, comments or just want to help out. Thanks for your interest and for helping out our astronomer friends in Iran!

Maintained by Mike Simmons  for my good friends in Iran

Updated July 7, 2002