UPPER YAFA (South Yemen)—1967 "Complete Country," MNH/VF—Michel 1-94

Description

UPPER YAFA (South Yemen)—1967 "Complete Country," MNH/VF—Michel 1-94
This is a pristine "complete country" collection of Upper Yafa, a short-lived state in Southern Yemen. Listed according to Michel as 1-94 (perf only—no imperfs). There are 12 miniature sheets of 10 values each (2 sets of stamps), 16 souvenir sheets, and 24 single stamps, all in complete series. The total catalog value is Euros 184.6 (about 7+++). The pluses are because Michel does not list prices for the 10-stamp miniature sheets, so their value is calculated as merely 2 of the sets—yet the complete sheets surely command a premium. All are housed in a beautiful 32-page Lighthouse black leatherette stockbook (valued at about alone). MNH/VF. See the 6 scans, which are only representative of the entire collection.
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, when rebels overran the state and imposed a Marxist government in the southern part of Yemen.
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.
NOTE: Because of the weight and bulk of this lot, it must be shipped by First Class Package Service International , with protective wrappings (and in the case of international sales, with a Customs Declaration). Therefore, shipping cost will be within the United States, or to any international address.
Arabesque
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