Yemen

1931 Scott 7 1/2b orange "Arabic Inscriptions"

Quick History
The Arab Kingdom of Yemen (aka Hashemite Mutawakkilite Kingdom, North Yemen) existed as a state between 1918-1962 in the northern part of what is now called Yemen. It declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on October 30, 1918.

Arabia 1914

Prior to WW I, the Vilayet of Yemen and the Vilayet of the Hejaz were under the nominal control of the Ottoman Empire. As mentioned, the Vilayet of Yemen would became the independent Kingdom of Yemen in 1918, while the Vilayet of the Hejaz became part of Saudi Arabia.

The Aden colony and the Hadramaut were under British protection.

Location of the Kingdom of Yemen

The Kingdom, located on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered on the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, Saudi Arabia, and the British Protectorate of Aden.

Flag of the Kingdom of Yemen 1927-1962

The capital was Sanan'a 1918-1948, and Ta'izz 1948-1962.

Essentially, after the Ottoman withdrawal in 1918, there was no formal postal system between 1918-1926.

Stamps for domestic postage were introduced in 1926.

International destinations were usually routed through the Aden British Protectorate.

The Kingdom joined the Universal Postal Union on January 1, 1930, and issued a seventeen stamp definitive issue for foreign and domestic postage.

The Kingdom was admitted into the United Nations on September 30, 1947.

On September 26, 1962, the Yemeni monarchy was abolished, and was succeeded by the Yemen Arab Republic (aka North Yemen, Yemen (Sana'a)).

(Kingdom of Yemen stamps continued to be issued between 1962-1970. They are not recognized and not in the Scott catalogue.)

The Yemen Arab Republic united with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (aka South Yemen - formally the British Aden Protectorate up to 1967 and independence) on May 22, 1990 to form the Republic of Yemen.

This is a fairly superficial quick history summary. In reality, there were civil wars, revolutions, revolts etc which were and are complicated and involuted. For a more nuanced history, see Stamp World History Yemen post and country diagram.

1930 Scott 19 10b light brown

"Arabic Inscriptions"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Yemen 1926-1940, 40 major number descriptions. Of those, 31 are CV <$1-$1+, or 78%. Clearly, most of the modest Yemen output during the classical era is inexpensive. However, that does not mean the stamps are common in BB feeder albums - in my experience, they are not. One has to go out and specifically search for these issues on-line, or with dealers. But, yes, one can find them.

However, the first issue of 1926 - three typographic imperforates on laid or wove paper- are rather crude in appearance and expensive (CV $60). Also, here are forgeries  - especially on wove paper. I will say no more about them - specialist territory. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues
40 Bogaches = 1 Imadi

1930 Scott 8 1b green "Arabic Inscriptions"

Wmk 127 "Quatrefoils"

Upon joining the UPU in 1930, a seventeen stamp typographic definitive issue was released between 1930-31.

Although not needed for identification purposes, the paper was watermarked "Quatrefoils".

1930 Scott 10 2b olive green

The lower denominations had this Arabic inscription design.

1931 Scott 21 20b yellow green

"Arabic Inscriptions"

The higher denominations were in a larger format, with a second Arabic inscription design.

CV is <$1-$1+ for fourteen stamps.

On 1931 Scott 23 var 1i lilac rose & yellow

Overprinted "Automatic Telephone Inauguration

Sanaa March 1959"

I have this stamp in my collection with the commemorative overprint as shown. I can not find this in Scott, Readers?

1939 Scott 29 1i claret & ultramarine

"Flags of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq"

Wmk 258 "Arab Characters and Y G Multiple"

For the 2nd anniversary of the Arab Alliance, a six stamp lithographic set was released in 1939.

CV is <$1-$1+ for five stamps.

Note the paper had Wmk. 258.

Wmk. 127 "Quatrefoils"

Wmk. 258 "Arabic Characters and Y G Multiple"

Of interest, here are watermarks for Yemen during the classical era.

1940 Scott 33 2b bister brown & violet

"Arabic Inscriptions"

For 1940, a lithographic thirteen stamp issue in two designs was released.

1940 Scott 38 8b claret & dull blue

"Arabic Inscriptions"

The higher denominations had the larger format horizontal design.

1940 Scott 43 1i violet rose, yellow green & brown red

"Arabic Inscriptions"

CV is <$1-$1+ for twelve stamps.

Deep Blue

1940 Yemen Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has four pages for the 1936-1940 stamps of Yemen. All of the major Scott numbers have a space.

1939 Scott 28 20b yellow green & ultramarine

"Flags of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one-half page (shared with Zululand - yes!, the last page in BB!), has nine spaces for the 1930-31 Yemen issue. Total coverage is 23%.

There are no expensive stamps. In fact, the entire group of spaces have a CV of <$1-$1.

But BB's coverage is borderline at best. The 1930-31 issue does not have spaces for four stamps of CV <$1-$1+, while two spaces have choices: leaving out two more stamps of CV <$1.

And the 1939 Issue (five stamps CV <$1-$1+), and the 1940 Issue (twelve stamps CV <$1-$1+), are given no coverage at all.

Checklist

1930-31

7,8 or 9,11,12,14,15,

16 or 17,18,20,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

1940 Scott 35 4b rose & yellow green

"Arabic Inscriptions"

Out of the Blue

I'm rather fascinated with the Arabic inscripted stamp issuing countries. I cannot read Arabic (although my daughter can), but the mysterious lovely script and geometrical patterns are beautiful. 

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comments Appreciated!