Stamps Of History: 1919 Azerbaijan Issues' Value

The value of Azerbaijan's 1919 stamps depends on several factors, including their design, rarity, and condition. These stamps were issued by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which had a short history filled with conflict and territorial disputes. The stamps feature various designs, including a soldier with a flag, a farmer at sunset, the city of Baku, and the Temple of Eternal Fire. The original 1919 stamps were printed on thin, white paper, while reprints in 1920 used thicker buff paper with yellow gum or no gum. The 1919 stamps are scarcer and forgeries exist, so proper authentication is crucial for determining their value.

1919 Azerbaijan stamps: historical context

The 1919 Azerbaijan stamps were issued by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which had formed in 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire during World War I, followed by the October Revolution of 1917.

The first national stamps of Azerbaijan were issued in October 1919. This first issue was known as the Moussavat (or Musavat) Issue, after the ruling political party of Azerbaijan. These stamps featured four designs printed on thin, white paper with whitish gum. There were ten pictorial stamps in total, with denominations in ruble. The lowest two values depicted a soldier with a national flag, the middle six featured a farmer at sunset and the city of Baku, and the two highest values illustrated the Temple of Eternal Fire.

The stamps were lithographed on large-sized paper in the city of Baku. Each sheet consisted of approximately two to three hundred stamps, which were usually cut into halves before being transported to various post offices.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic issues only lasted from 1919 to 1921, as the country was invaded by the Russian Soviet Army in 1920. The newly established Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic then began issuing its own stamps.

Stamp design and printing

The first stamps of Azerbaijan were issued in 1919 by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. These stamps were designed with four distinct pictorial designs printed on thin, white paper with whitish gum. The lowest two denominations featured a soldier with a national flag, while the middle six denominations depicted a farmer at sunset and the city of Baku. The two highest denominations illustrated the Temple of Eternal Fire. Each sheet consisted of approximately two to three hundred stamps.

The 1919 stamps were lithographed on large-sized paper in Baku. Due to the big size of the sheets, they were often cut into halves before being transported to various post offices across the country. The stamps featured the French phrase "Republique D'Azerbaijan" in all caps and sans serif font at the bottom centre of the stamp. The "D" in "Republique" was smaller than the other letters. The denominations were detailed in the four corners of the stamps in Roman and Azerbaijani numerals and lettering.

In 1920, the stamps were reprinted on thick buff paper with yellow gum or no gum. These reprints are more common and forgeries exist. The 1921 re-issues were lithographically printed on thick brownish or grayish paper. The designs remained mostly consistent, except for the five-rubel and ten-rubel stamps, which featured inverted left ornament columns.

Stamp rarity and forgeries

Stamp collecting is a passion for many, with some stamps being worth a fortune. The value of a stamp is determined by its rarity, age, and condition, among other factors. So, what about the 1919 Azerbaijan stamps? Are they rare and how can you spot a forgery?

Stamp Rarity

The first stamps of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were issued in 1919 and consisted of ten pictorial designs printed on thin, white paper with whitish gum. These stamps are considered rare as fewer were printed compared to the second issue from 1921. The second issue was printed on thick brownish or grayish paper, with similar designs except for the five-rubel and ten-rubel stamps, which had inverted left ornament columns.

Forgeries

The 1919 stamps are known to have forgeries, and it is important to be able to identify them. The original 1919 stamps were printed on white paper with whitish gum, while the forgeries from 1920 were printed on buff paper with yellow gum or no gum at all. The lines and illustrations on the forgeries tend to be less defined, so this is a key distinguishing feature.

The 1921 famine relief stamps of Azerbaijan are also considered bogus and were forged. Additionally, in 1998, 19 sets of illegal postage stamps were allegedly issued in Nakhchivan, featuring Princess Diana and the Spice Girls. As a result, Azerbaijani officials notified the Universal Postal Union about these counterfeit stamps.

Forgery is a constant issue in the world of stamp collecting, with some forgers taking great care to replicate the tiniest details. To avoid being deceived, it is essential to have a keen eye for detail, knowledge of the subject, and a good understanding of the history of the stamps in question.

1919 stamp values today

The value of stamps depends on many factors, including their rarity and condition. In general, 1919 Azerbaijan stamps are not highly valued today due to the large number of forgeries and reprints available. However, the original 1919 stamps issued by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, known as the Moussavat Issue, may hold some value to collectors.

The Moussavat Issue was printed on thin, white paper with whitish gum. These stamps featured four designs: a soldier with a flag, a farmer at sunset, the city of Baku, and the Temple of Eternal Fires. The lowest two values depicted the soldier and flag, the middle six denominations featured the farmer at sunset and Baku, and the two highest values illustrated the Temple of Eternal Fires. These stamps were issued in ruble denominations, with values ranging from 10 to 50 K.

In 1920, after the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the new Soviet government reprinted these stamps on thick buff or greyish paper with yellow gum or no gum. This second printing is more common than the first and forgeries of both printings exist. The 1921 re-issues are printed on thick brownish or grayish paper and have similar designs to the previous issue, except for the five-rubel and ten-rubel stamps, which have inverted left ornament columns.

When assessing the value of 1919 Azerbaijan stamps, it is important to carefully examine their characteristics and compare them to known features of authentic stamps. Collectors should pay close attention to the paper type, colour, gum, perforation, and design details. Additionally, the provenance and history of the stamps can impact their value.

Overall, while 1919 Azerbaijan stamps may not have a high monetary value today due to their abundance and the presence of forgeries, they hold historical significance and can be valuable additions to a stamp collection, particularly if they are part of the scarce first printing on white paper.

The modern-day stamp collector's market

The modern-day stamp collectors' market

Stamp collecting has evolved since its inception in the mid-19th century, when it was predominantly pursued by middle-class women and children. Over time, it attracted men due to its resemblance to capitalist values, with collectors assuming the role of middlemen who bought and sold stamps, mirroring the dynamics of the free market. Today, the stamp collectors' market caters to both hobbyists and serious investors, with a global reach that includes emerging overseas markets.

The rise of the internet has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern-day stamp collectors' market. While stamps are becoming obsolete with the decline of postal services, the online realm has facilitated connections between philatelists worldwide. Online stamp marketplaces and auction houses have provided convenient platforms for buying and selling stamps, enabling collectors to build more comprehensive collections collaboratively.

The stamp collectors' market has witnessed a shift from hobbyists to serious investors, who are willing to pay high prices for rare and unique stamps. This trend has resulted in skyrocketing values for some of the rarest stamps at auctions. For instance, in 2013, a British Guyana One Cent Black-on-Magenta stamp sold for over $9.5 million to an anonymous buyer. This shift in the market dynamics has also led to a decrease in values for complete collections, as investors favour one-of-a-kind stamps over comprehensive sets.

The modern-day stamp collectors' market is characterised by a strong emphasis on stamp condition, with buyers demanding mint issues. Rare stamps are becoming increasingly challenging to find, and those available are commanding record prices. Specialized collections, such as pre-1935 British Commonwealth colonies, French colonies, pre-1940 USA, post-independence India, and China and Hong Kong, are particularly sought-after. The rise of the Asian market, driven by countries like China, India, and South Korea, has infused new life into the hobby, with Asian collectors being key drivers of the surge in rare stamp prices.

The stamp collectors' market is also influenced by historical and political events, as seen during World War II when unique stamps were produced, reflecting the propaganda of the era. Similarly, stamps have served as a means of generating revenue for nations, with postal systems issuing stamps specifically targeted at collectors. Today, the market remains dynamic and resilient, adapting to economic changes and technological advancements while retaining its appeal to collectors worldwide.

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