UPPER YAFA (South Yemen)—1967 Definitives, flag/map/crest, MNH/VF—Michel 1-10

Description

UPPER YAFA (South Yemen)—1967 Definitives, flag/map/crest, MNH/VF—Michel 1-10
The first issue of 10 definitives for the State of Upper Yafa featuring its flag, map, and state crest. Printed by Harrison and Sons Ltd. in England. May have seen very limited postal use for a month or so before the sultanate was overrun by Marxist revolutionaries who created the People's Republic of Southern Yemen (later renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen). Listed only in Michel as 1-10 at Euros 12 (about ).
Upper Yafa, located northeast of Aden in a mountainous hinterland on the border with the Yemen Arab Republic, was one of approximately 20 small states in the Western Aden Protectorate. As the British prepared to withdraw from the area, Upper Yafa refused to join the Federation of South Arabia, deciding to go it alone. Big mistake. It had been ruled for generations by sheikhs and sultans of the Harara dynasty from its capital in Mahjaba. The final ruler was Sultan Muhammad ibn Salih ibn 'Umar Al Harara, deposed on November 29, 1967.
In the final two months of its existence Upper Yafa's philatelic agent produced almost 100 colorful stamps and souvenir sheets, most featuring famous works of art. Probably none ever saw legitimate postal use because of the intense civil war going on at the time. The Michel catalog recognizes them but their postal validity remains questionable to this day. In 1968 a circular from the PDRY postal authority denounced all Upper Yafa stamps and claimed that the territory NEVER had a functioning post office! Philatelic "Cinderellas"—curiosities of an ancient Arabian nation yet short-lived stamp-issuing state. I have been fortunate in locating a small quantity of this set and am passing the savings on to you.
Arabesque
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