Azerbaijan

National Republic 1919 Scott 1 10k & Scott 2 20k "Standard Bearer"

The thick grayish paper is a Soviet re-issue

Quick History
Located close to the very southern part of Russia in Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan was surrounded by Georgia, Dagestan, Persia, and  Armenia, with the Caspian Sea on the eastern border.The capital is Baku, and the population was 2 million in 1923.

After the collapse of the Russian Empire during WW1, Azerbaijan declared Independence in May, 1918, as the Democratic (National) Republic. But Lenin needed Baku's oil fields, and the Bolshevik 11th Red Army put an end to Azerbaijan's short independence.  The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was formed in 1922, lasting  through 1924, when Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia combined forming the Transcaucasian SSR. The National Republic issued stamps in 1919; then the Azerbaijan SSR issued stamps from 1922-1924.
Independence from the Soviet Union was declared in 1991.

Trivia: Nine out of the eleven Climate Zones exit in Azerbaijan.

1919 National Republic Scott 8 10r olive green, bister & black "Baku"

Thin white paper indicates first issue

The Soviet re-issue inverts the ornament column on the left on the 5r & 10r

Big Blue Picture
On two lines of one page, Big Blue (1969) has 10 illustrative/descriptive stamp spaces.
The 2011 Scott Classic specialized catalogue has 98 major stamp descriptions. (10 for the National Republic, the rest for the Soviet era through 1924).

Therefore, Big Blue (1969) has 10% coverage. Actually the coverage is misleading, as Big Blue has 100% coverage of the National Republic, while 0% coverage of the Soviet era.

Twenty-four Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic 1922-24 stamps that are inexpensive include Scott 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,39($2+), 57,58,59($1+), 60,61,62($1+), 63($1+), B1,B2($1+); (<$1 except noted)

Big Blue Checklist
1919
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,(<$1)
9,10 ($1+)
Note: Two issues; the National Republic issue is on thin white paper, while the Soviet re-printing is on thick grayish paper. In my experience, the thick grayish Soviet re-issue is far more common in collections.There was also a design change on the 5r & 10r stamps for the Soviet issue. Illustrated above.
The early white issues are valued by Scott @ 5X usual catalogue.

1918-20 Azerbaijan National Republic

Kinds of Blue
The 1997 edition and the 1969 edition are identical.
Compared to the 1969 edition, the 1947 edition is the same.

Compared to the 1969 and 1947 editions, the 1941 edition has these differences.
Deleted
1919
7,8(<$1)
9,10($1+)

Big Blue Bottom Line
The history is what is really fascinating.
One might want to add a supplemental page for the Soviet era issues.

Note: Historical map in public domain courtesy of Azerbaijan24.com

Note: Thanks to Keijo and his wonderful blog http://www.stampcollectingblog.com for bringing to my attention the difference in paper and design types for the 1919 National Republic issue.

Links
Azerbaijan and Forgeries: a closer look
Azerbaijan - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!