1912 Scott N154 5 l green "Cross of Constantine" 1912 Campaign Quick History This post will review the "back of the book" issues of G...

Zagreb, Yugoslavia (Croatia) - 1940 Photo by Tošo Dabac

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1912 Scott N154 5 l green "Cross of Constantine" 1912 Campaign Quick History This post will review the "back of the book" issues of G...

[Photo] Greek soldier with Mannlicher-Schönauer rifle, Albania, late 1940

1919 Slovenia Scott 3L6 25f blue "Chain Breaker" Quick History Well, not so quick when it comes to Yugoslavia. ;-) Jugoslavia (as it is still spelled in Big Blue), or Yugoslavia (as it is more commonly known), or the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes ( the official name from 1918-1929), was a diverse country of Slavic peoples that existed from 1918-1992. More specifically, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia existed between 1918-1943, the period of interest to this blog. It was born after WW I when a general movement of pan-Slavic nationalism was on the ascendancy, and with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Capital was Belgrade, and the population was 12,000,000 in 1921. Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes 1922-29 Administratively divided into 33 oblasts The Kingdom was able to come together, because 3/4 of the population spoke an intelligible variant ( to each other) of Serbo-Croatian. Serbo-Croatian spoken by the majority of speakers So despite the tremendous cultural and religious differences, people of Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia regions could understand each other. And in Slovenia, many people who spoke the Slavic Slovene, also understood Serbo-Croatian. So, who exactly joined the new Kingdom? The Kingdom was formed by the merger of the independent Kingdom of Serbia (the leading actor), the Kingdom of Montenegro (who had just united with Serbia one week prior), and the provisional short lived and internationally unrecognized State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs (all carved out of the southernmost portion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). The State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs consisted of Slovenia, Croatia-Slavonia, Dalmatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This newly named Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was united under the Kingdom of Serbia's Peter I, as a constitutional monarchy. Let's take a closer look at the constituent territories that make up the colloquial named "Yugoslavia". And this is important to us as classical collectors, because the early stamps of Yugoslavia are actually overprinted or newly printed stamps for these territories. The "General Issues" for Yugoslavia were not printed until 1921. Therefore this post will be focusing on the stamp productions of the constituent territories up to the general issues. Serbia 1918 As one can tell by the map, the Kingdom of Serbia had gained considerable territory by November, 1918. Banat, Backa, Baranja, Syrmia, and Montenegro had all been added. Serbia, as an intact independent Kingdom with a fully functioning government and army, was the leading actor in the development of nascent Yugoslavia. The Serbian King Peter I was proclaimed the first King of Yugoslavia, and his son Alexander was Prince Regent, and then King beginning in 1921. Belgrade was the Capital of Yugoslavia. The Serbs use the Cyrillic alphabet, and, by tradition, follow Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Serbia had been part of the Ottoman Empire for five centuries, and hence had a considerably different cultural background than the Croats and Slovenes, who had a European heritage. Slovenia Slovenia, tucked up next to Austria, was much more industrialized than southern Yugoslavia. And its villages and landscape, resembling Austrian ones, meant that Slovenes had more in common with Vienna than Belgrade. In fact, the "Carinthia Plebisite" demonstrated that Carinthia, a small piece of Slovenia, was much more interested in joining Austria than Yugoslavia. Celebration in Ljubljana on joining Yugoslavia Nevertheless, Slovenia did join willingly, as the above photo attests. They did not speak Serbo-Croatian, but learned it. As a population minority, they mostly stayed out of the cultural conflict between the Croats and Serbians. The Slovenes use the Latin alphabet, and are Roman Catholic by heritage. Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, circa 1885 An autonomous Kingdom within the Austro-Hungarian Empire Croatia-Slavonia has had a long history of semi-independence, as evidenced by the map above. At times the territory also included Dalmatia. Slavonia resides in the eastern portion of the territory. Northern Croatia, around Zagreb, was also more industrialized than southern Yugoslavia. Croatia follows the Latin alphabet, and is about 75% Roman Catholic, and 25% Serbian Orthodox. The Croatian dialect of Serbo-Croatian is spoken. Although they shared a language, albeit with different dialects, the Croats and Serbians did not share much else. And hence the conflicts that would explode later. Carved up Yugoslavia in WW II By WW II, most of Yugoslavia was carved up into puppet states (Croatia), or annexed by other countries (Germany, Italy, Hungary, Albania, Bulgaria). Although The "Independent State of Croatia", with stamp production beginning in 1941, just misses the classical era, there is a point to be made about ethnic hatred.The Croatian Nazi government massacred hundreds of thousands of Serbians during WW II. And, naturally, there were reprisals later against the Croats. And so it continued.... Bosnia and Herzegovina, Number 18 on the map Part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: occupied 1879; annexed 1908 Bosnia and Herzegovina were part of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years (1463-1878). A native Slavic speaking Muslim population developed. But at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, the Austro-Hungarian Empire obtained the right to occupy the lands. Then, in 1908, Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed by the Empire despite international protestation. The conflict lead to the assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 by a Serbian nationalist of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and set off WW I. After WW I, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined Yugoslavia. The religious affiliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of about 45% Muslims, 35% Serbian orthodox, and 15% Roman catholic. During WW II, all of Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of the Nazi puppet "Independent State of Croatia". Now let's look at the overall ethnic map of Yugoslavia.... Map of ethnic constituencies in Yugoslavia The map reflects the various ethnic populations in Yugoslavia. So what happened to Yugoslavian lands when it was broken up during the 1990's? Former Yugoslavia Today The countries reformed according to old traditions and boundaries, and along ethnic lines. Surprised? ;-) 1918 Croatia-Slavonia Scott 2L17 75f bright blue & pale blue Stamps of Hungary overprinted in Blue Into the Deep Blue As mentioned, for this post, I will focus on the early 1918-20 years of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During this period, each major territory had their own stamp production for their area. For the following territories, the 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has.... Bosnia and Herzegovina 1918-1920 There are 45 regular issues, 7 semi-postals, 2 special delivery, and 26 postage dues. 67 of the 80 stamps, or 84%, are CV

1912 Scott N154 5 l green "Cross of Constantine" 1912 Campaign Quick History This post will review the "back of the book" issues of G...

Quick History This country of a million people (1930) is located in southeastern Europe with Tirana the capital. Albania's modern stamp history began when the Prince fled at the beginning of WW1, and Albania was declared an independent country by Italian General Ferrero. But interestingly in 1928, it was declared a Monarchy, and President Ahmed Zogu was then a king. In April, 1939, Italy invaded resulting in occupation stamps being issued. Albania declared its' independence in 1943. 1913 Scott 37 10q rose red "Skanderbeg (George Castriota)" Into the Deep Blue The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Albania 1913-1940, 301 regular, 8 semi-postal, 53 air post, 2 special delivery, and 39 postage due descriptions. Total = 403. Of those, the stamps that were issued prior to 1922, none are as low as CV$1+; while after 1922, 99 are CV

illustration from Jugend 1907 No16

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National Park Tara is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in Western Serbia. Read more about what to see and experience, here.

Yürükler veya Yörükler, tam veya yarı göçer yaşam tarzı sürdüren bir halkın adı olup, Anadolu ve Rumeli’de halen varlıklarını sürdüren, Köprülü ve Gökbilgin gibi pek çok Türk yazarın yanı sıra Batı…

1912 Scott N154 5 l green "Cross of Constantine" 1912 Campaign Quick History This post will review the "back of the book" issues of Greece: namely Air Post, the Postage Dues, the frequently used Postal Tax category, and the many stamps issued for "New Greece", the territory acquired during the Balkan Wars. In 1912, the Balkan League (Greece, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Serbia) attacked Turkey as much of their respective ethnic populations remained under Ottoman dominance. The source of the Balkan wars conflict Different ethnic groups wanting their own autonomy Seven months later, Turkey had lost all of its holdings in the Balkans with the signing of the Treaty of London. But Bulgaria was not happy with their apportionment, and the second Balkan war ensued. With Macedonia, Serbia, Greece, Romania, and Turkey all aligned against it, Bulgaria lost most of the territories gained during the first Balkan war. Territorial acquisitions after the first and second Balkan war A highly successful result from the Greek perspective added territory from the Aegean islands, Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace. Consequently, overprinted/surcharged Greek stamps were used in the territory, called 'New Greece", until the lands could be fully absorbed into Greece. 1933 Scott C6 100d deep blue "Zeppelin over Acropolis" Into the Deep Blue The 2011 Scott Classic catalogue has 47 Air post, 88 Postage dues, 65 Postal tax, and 272 occupation and annexation major stamp descriptions. Of those, 22 (47%) Air post, 52 (59%) Postage dues, 49 (75%) Postal tax, and 116 (43%) Occupation and Annexation stamps are CV

1913 Scott 252 20pa red "Mosque of Selim, Adrianople" Quick History Turkey is located in Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. The Ottoman Empire reigned from there between 1299 - 1922, and then the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923. 1863 Scott 7 1pi black/gray "Tughra" Lithographed, Red Band, Thick Surface Colored Paper The Ottoman Empire issued its first postage stamp on January 1, 1863 with the "Tughra", the calligraphic monogram of Sultan Adul-Aziz. Ottoman Empire 1900 Between 1865-1876, the "Crescent and Star", enclosed by a central oval, and symbols of the Turkish Caliphate, were used on the so-called typographic "Duloz" stamp issues. "Duloz" Stamp Issues: 1865 Scott 11 2pi blue "Crescent and Star" The Top and Side Overprint Characters translate "Ottoman Empire Posts" These were designed and initially printed in France, but the printing plates were moved to Constantinople in 1868, where the remaining stamps were printed. 1876 Scott 55 50pa blue & yellow Ottoman Empire Issue The Ottoman Empire joined the General Postal Union (then the Universal Postal Union) in 1876. A new Empire issue was released, with the name of the country and values in both western script and Arabic script, and was intended for use to countries within the UPU. A note of caution: both common and rare issues of 19th century Ottoman Empire stamps have been extensively forged. Unfortunately, we will not have time to look into this sad reality. 1901 Scott 104 20pa magenta For Foreign Postage The 1901-1911 issues all had the Tughra of the reigning monarch. WW I proved the end of the Ottoman Empire, who had entered the war in 1914 on the side of the Central Powers. The Allies occupied Constantinople. The Sultinate was abolished by the National Assembly on November 1, 1922. Turkey Turkey was declared a republic on October 28, 1923, under the leadership of President Mustafa Kemal. 1923-25 Scott 613a 5pi violet, Type II "Crescent and Star" The "Star and Crescent" design of the first stamp issue of the Republic of Turkey marked the end of the use of the "Tughra", which had been on most stamps from 1863-1922. Note that "Constantinople" was officially changed to "Istanbul" in 1930. (I will be using either one somewhat indiscriminately.) The capital was and is Ankara, and the population was 17,800,000 in 1940. 1914 Scott 255 4pa dark brown "Column of Constantine" Into the Deep Blue The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire and Turkey 1863-1942, 1303 major number descriptions. Of those, 594 are CV

1898 Scott 34 3n carmine rose "Prince Nicholas I" Quick History Montenegro (Literally "Black Mountain") was a Principality ( Independent in 1878) and a Kingdom (1910-1918) during the stamp issuing era (1874-1918) under the Prince and King Nicholas I. Montenegro after the Balkan Wars in 1913 Montenegro in 1914 The Capital was Centinje, and the population was 220,000 in 1909. Serbian was the official language, spoken by 95%, and also 95% were Orthodox Christians. Montenegro formed a secular Principality in 1852. In 1860, Nicholas I began a long reign as Prince, then King, until his exile to France in 1918. Nicholas I was a skilled ruler and diplomat, and Montenegro enjoyed a large degree of stability and prosperity under his leadership. He agreed to a constitution in 1905, and allowed more press freedoms and criminal law reforms. Proclamation of the Kingdom of Montenegro 1910 In 1910, during the celebration of his jubilee, Nicholas assumed the title of king. He actively supported the 1912 Balkans Wars, as he wanted the Ottomans completely out of Europe. He was a active supporter of Serbian unity, but he was bitterly opposed to Karadordevic rule (Peter I, King of Serbia 1903-1918). Montenegro was a supporter of the Allied Powers during WW I. But, between 1916-18, Montenegro was occupied by Austria-Hungary, and Nicholas I fled to Italy, then France. (Occupation stamps were issued by Austria in 1917-18.) When the Allies liberated Montenegro, the Podgorica Assembly voted to ban Nicholas I from returning, and voted to join the country with the Kingdom of Serbia. Montenegro then united, under the general rule of King Peter I of Serbia (1918-21), to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Coats and Slovenes (renamed Yugoslavia in 1929). Nicholas I went into exile in France, continuing to claim his throne, until his death three years later. Montenegro Today Montenegro became part of Yugoslavia, which eventually broke apart in 1992. Montenegro remained joined in federation with Serbia until 2006, when it became fully independent. Postage Due 1907 Scott J20 10pa violet Into the Deep Blue The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Montenegro 1874-1918, 145 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 120 are CV

1940 Scott B109 1.50d + 1.50d bright red "Death of Matija Gubec" Quick History The House of Karadordevic was chosen to lead the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in the heady atmosphere of pan-Slavic nationalism in 1918, and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Serbia, which had enlarged itself with the land spoils of war, perhaps preferred to remain independent. But they then agreed to form with the newly created State of Slovenes,Croats and Serbs. On December 1, 1918, Alexander Karadordevic, the Prince-Regent, proclaimed the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in the name of his father, Peter I of Serbia. Yugoslavia- divided into 33 administrative oblasts between 1922-29 Even then, the country was known colloquially as "Jugoslavia" or "Yugoslavia". But the real lack of unity was evident at the outset, as the new "Pan-Slavic" Yugoslavia had divided itself into 33 sub-regions or oblasts. ;-) Peter I had been King of Serbia since 1903, and now was titular ruler of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, under a constitutional monarchy. He had been quite popular with the Serbian people, partially because of Serbia's success in the Balkan Wars. But he had also been educated in the western tradition in France, helped to introduce concepts of democracy to Serbia, and translated John Stuart Mill's On Liberty into Serbian. And, at the age of 70 in 1914, he had reassigned his royal powers to his son Crown Prince Alexander, the Prince-Regent. Peter I's proclamation as King of the new country on December 1, 1918 was his last public appearance, and he died in Belgrade, the Capital, in 1921. Royal Standard of the King of Yugoslavia In 1921, following his fathers death, Alexander inherited the throne. In 1929, following the murder of a Croat politician by a Serbian politician in the parliament, and the further alienation of the Croats from the Serbs, King Alexander abolished the Constitution, and set up a dictatorship. He changed the name officially to the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia". He attempted to abolish the Serbian Cyrillic in favor of the Latin Script. Then in 1934, while in Marseilles on a state visit, he was assassinated. The assassin was a Bulgarian, and a member of a revolutionary organization attempting to have the Macedonian region succeed from Yugoslavia. Alexander's son, Peter II, succeeded to the throne, but he was a minor, only eleven., Alexander's cousin, Prince Paul, assumed the regency. Prince Paul tried to negotiate the ever increasing enmity between the Croats and Serbs. But there was a much larger problem. Germany. With increasing pressure, Yugoslavia signed the Tripartite Pact on March 25, 1941. But then suddenly Regent Prince Paul was deposed, and Peter II, now 17, was declared of age. Angered, The Axis' attacked on April 6, 1941, and Yugoslavia was dismembered. Occupation, Annexation, and Partition of Yugoslavia 1941-43 A "puppet" Independent State of Croatia was set up. Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania, Germany, and Italy all took a piece of the Yugoslavian pie. Serbia was occupied by the Germans, and Montenegro was an Italian Protectorate. King Peter II, now in exile, was still considered the King of all Yugoslavia by the Allies. But the leading opposition to the occupation was Josip Broz Tito's Communist forces, a reality recognized by the Allies. In 1945, after the Germans were removed, the Communists claimed all of the former territory of Yugoslavia as the new Democratic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was no more. 1934 Scott 103 50p green , Borders in Black King Alexander Memorial issue Into the Deep Blue For this post, I will cover the general Yugoslavian issues beginning in 1921. Recall the previous post covered the constituent issues of early Yugoslavia 1918-1920. The 2011 Scott Classic catalogue has, for the general issues of Yugoslavia 1921-1940, 161 regular, 119 semi-postal, 16 air post, 37 postage due, and 5 postal tax and postal tax due stamps. Total= 338. Of those, 259 are CV

1914 Scott 7 10 lepta carmine "Infantryman with Rifle"Quick History This Territory in the western Balkans was long part of the Ottoman Empire, but during the Balkan wars (1912-13), Greece seized Northern Epirus. However, the Florence Protocol assigned the territory of Northern Epirus to the newly created state of Albania. This decision was highly unpopular with the majority Greeks in the area, and although Greece officially withdrew, there was an uprising and revolt among the local Greek population. The rebels declared independence and announced the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus in February, 1914. Provisional government stamps were issued. They in fact did gain autonomy (under a nominal Albanian sovereignty), and were recognized under the Protocol of Corfu by the Albanians. The population was 128,000 Orthodox Christians and 95,000 Muslims in 1908, and the Capital was Argyrokastron. However, WWI broke out, Albania collapsed, and Greece reentered the area in October, 1914. The provisional government ceased to exist, having accomplished its objectives. Greece occupied northern Epirus through 1916, and overprinted Greek occupation stamps were issued. The Italians drove out he Greek forces in 1916, and the French occupied Koritsa. Ultimately the area was ceded to Albania in 1921 ( with Italian backing). During WWII, the area was occupied by the Italians and the Germans. After WWII, the territory ultimately remained part of communist Albania. Northern Epirus is between the red solid and red dotted lines. The green area is majority Greek speaking.Big Blue Picture The '97 Big blue, on one page, has 14 stamp spaces for the 1914 Epirus issues, and 6 stamp spaces for the 1914-15 Greek occupation issues, for a total of 20 stamp spaces. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has major stamp descriptions for 41 Epirus stamps and 27 Greek occupation stamps, for a total of 68 stamps. Coverage by Big Blue is 29%. What a convoluted history. Naturally the provisional government stamps show fighting ( Infantryman), and a call to nationalism ( Epirus flag). The flag design borrows the white cross on blue image of Greece with the double headed eagle overlaying. Although there are some expensively priced Epirus stamp issues, I did find eight additional stamps that could be considered by the Big Blue collector. Additionals.... (