The Ambassadors (July 2004) -- FEATURES

Believe it or not, many scholars hold that ancient Yemenis may have set a precedent for the world in using postage stamps. That’s not to say they were then as they are today, but in the trade of incense, spices and other commodities between Yemen and the Levant thousands of years ago, colored strings and seals of clay impressed with a stamp were used to distinguish one product from another and to indicate what should be unloaded where.

According to the Islamic tradition, King Solomon even sent a hoopoe with a letter to the Queen of Sheba: that made Yemen the first nation ever to receive airmail!

Postage stamps as they are known today were first issued by the British in South Yemen in 1839. Since that time stamps have flourished, undergoing many changes in terms of shape, content, color and even purpose. Now, in their own little way, they carry cultural, economic and political messages between nations of the world, depicting the history, folklore, and unique traditions of their countries of origin.

Millions of people around the world are devoted collectors of postage stamps, engaged in a pastime known as philately. Philatelists have established societies, associations and clubs all around the world, and some have become rich overnight by selling rare postage stamps.

Mr. Fayez Saif Abdu, Director of Mail Affairs at Yemen’s Post Authority, spoke about the importance of stamps in Yemen. “The postage stamp has evolved from its traditional role and concept into an active player not only in the lives of devoted collectors, but in the life of the whole world. The post is the third most important means of communication after radio, television and the press. Postage stamps have lovely designs that convey to their beholders a small bit of knowledge about the country they come from as well as about its history, traditions, heritage and attractions.”

“There are two types of postage stamps: formal and the commemorative,” explains Mr. Abdu. “The first are printed continuously in large quantities in order to meet the people’s need for them. The second are issued only to honor distinguished people, societies, and associations, be they national, regional or international. They can also depict events, occasions or anniversaries of their country. The latter are preferred by collectors because they are unusually magnificent and after being printed, are never seen again.”

Postage stamps are usually rectangular or square in shape, but in rare cases they are cut as triangles or other shapes. Their sizes are limited by the basic conventions of their use; they must fit onto standard envelopes or postcards. As such, they rarely exceed 75mm in length and 50mm in width. The costs of postage stamps are the same everywhere according to international postage fees.

Official postage stamps are usually monotone, so as to be easy to read and clearly show any markings on them. Commemorative stamps vary according to their topics, and thus they may be of any combination of colors and designs.

Most people are unaware that international specifications exist for the issue of postage stamps. Established in 1875 in Switzerland, the International Postal Federation determined a number of regulations that are abided by all stamp-issuing authorities.

Post authorities must make every effort possible to avoid content or shapes that could be considered offensive or provocative by certain people or countries. Furthermore, they are advised to select topics that can contribute to the spread of culture and consolidate ties among the nations of the world.

The federation, now a part of the UN, is responsible for regulating international mail processes. It has issued a number of guidelines on the use of offset, stone and light printing to produce official and commemorative postage stamps to which Yemen stringently adheres.

Fayez Abdu at the Yemen Post Authority says “there are a number of technical criteria for determining the value of postage stamps. It is not enough for a postage stamp to have an attractive shape and color to be precious for a collector; those issues are of secondary importance to them. Rather, the rarity of the stamp, its topic and the quantity printed are the factors that count. For this reason, commemorative stamps are far more valuable than official stamps.”

Dr. Lubna Aziz, owner of a small bookshop in Aden, has a collection of stamps dating back to the early colonial period. She attests to the value of stamps as collectibles: “Many people come to my shop and are interested only in stamps – people from the Gulf, from Britain – and they are willing to spend a lot.”

She adds that age is another very important factor in determining the value of a stamp. “Old is like gold,” she says.

Collectors also keep their eyes out for accessories that come with rare stamp issues: commemorative cards, issuance envelopes, or folders that mention the stamps’ first day in print are all highly sought after.

“Stamps have been around in Yemen for a very long time,” says Fayez Abdu. “They were well-established long before the breakout of the revolution in the North and the pullout of the British colonialists in the South.”

The use of stamps in Yemen dates back to 1839, when the service was launched in the Aden Protectorate by the British. The same service wasn’t initiated in the North by the Ottomans until 1888. In order to maintain the postal system, the Turks set up checkpoints along principal routes of travel and the post was carried from station to station.

In 1937, the British issued the first postage stamp to bear the name of Aden. During the following years, many stamps were printed there, including a special South Arab Unity commemorative stamp in 1963.

In 1962, the first truly Yemeni stamp was issued under the name of the Yemeni Mutawakilite Kingdom. It was printed locally. Four years later, the first Yemeni stamp meeting international standards was issued in Germany, the same year that North Yemen officially joined the International Postal Federation.

After the revolution, stamps flourished, and many thousands have been issued. The first Republican stamp was issued in Sana’a on March 15, 1963 and another was released in Aden on May 25, 1968.

After Unification, the Post and Postal Savings Authority started operating throughout the united country and the first stamp to commemorate the event was printed on September 18, 1990. More stamps were to follow that illustrated unity, the establishment of the Republic of Yemen, the unification agreement and solidarity with the Palestinian people, as well as international sports events, Yemeni antiquities, distinguished Yemeni personalities, etc.

According to Fayez Abdu, the Post Authority sought to develop its services as a noble message to the whole world and in response to the stamp collecting market by regulating its issues so that they would not fall short of five times a year. It also added new themes, including stamps designed by children, folkloric costumes, handicrafts, and stamps issued in honor of great Yemen writers and athletes.

During the past year, there were five commemorative issues. The first portrayed Sana’a Arab 2004 Culture Capital in a five-stamp issue with a postcard that showed five paintings of Old Sana’a. The second issue covered female costumes in Yemen with five stamps representing outfits from five governorates. Other stamps will be issued under this group to cover all governorates. The third issue was on Yemeni antiquities: five stamps and a postcard depicted pre-Islamic Yemeni history and its cultural and creative heritage as seen from inscriptions, ruins, sculptures and carvings. The fourth issue celebrated the Yemen Junior National Team’s participation in the FIFA Under-18 World Cup in Finland. The final issue of 2003 was on children’s creativity, making Yemen the second Arab country to devote a special edition of stamps especially to children, encouraging youths to develop their artistic skills.

This year, the Post Authority is preparing to organize a contest to design stamps. The presented works will be judged by experts so that the new generation of Yemeni stamps will be distinguished in the world market.

Stamps go through three phases before being circulated in the market. The first is the selection of subjects, which is done by a higher committee headed by the Minister of Telecommunications. Members include concerned authorities, stamp collectors and artistic advisors. As for stamps issued in remembrance or honor of prominent personalities living or dead, the matter is decided by supreme authorities only.

Second is the design phase. This is done by respected specialists and artists. Desirable patterns are selected from what is available or through a competition or according to the subject, be it a painting, photograph, etc.

Printing is done on a specialized press, usually the same one that prints banknotes. Many postal authorities have their own presses for this purpose. Special consideration must be given to types of paper, glue and ink used, which must be resistant to heat and differing climatic conditions.

One peculiar paradox almost exclusive to this industry is that any overlooked mistake or error in printing adds to the value of the stamp, although it may diminish its manufacturer’s reputation.

Yemen has been using stamps for literally thousands of years.
Culture, traditions and celebrities are most commonly depicted on Yemeni stamps.
Five commemorative stamp issues are released by the Yemen Post Authority each year.

Mr. Mohamed Al-Asadi is the Managing Editor of Yemen Observer (www.yobserver.com). He is also an International Correspondent for The Ambassadors Magazine. His email is alasadi@yobserver.com.

"Black Penny"
(1840)

Zürich Nr. 1

Digit on net
(1843)

"Basler Täubchen"
(1845)

"Schwarzer Einser"
(1849)

"Sachsen-Dreier"
(1850)