Yemen (Southern / People's Democratic Republic)
including issues for the Federation of South Arabia
The southern part of Yemen (including the Colony and Protectorate of Aden) was under British control from the 1930s until independence, and subsequently became known as the Federation of South Arabia (1962-67), the People's Republic of South Yemen (1967-70) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1970-90). The northern part was a kingdom from 1918 onwards, and was then known as Yemen Arab Republic from 1962 until 1990. A new constitution to unite north and south was drafted in November 1989, and the united Republic of Yemen was declared on 22nd May 1990.
Listed on this page are stamps of the southern part of Yemen from 1962 to 1990. Earlier issues are listed under Aden.
For stamps inscribed "Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen", "Yemen Arab Republic", "YAR" or simply "Yemen", please go to the Yemen (Northern / Kingdom / Yemen Arab Republic) page. Post-1990 issues for the united Republic can also be found there.
Chapter overview
Acknowledgments
Robson Lowe, Bradbury, Wilkinson and Co, The Revenue Journal Vol IV No 2 (September 1993), p40
Special thanks to Joe Ross for providing a number of images used on this page.
Currency
1000 fils = 1 dinar
- Airport Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed A)
- Excise (catalogue numbers prefixed X)
- Immigration Passports (catalogue numbers prefixed P)
- Labels and Obligatory Tax stamps (catalogue numbers prefixed L)
- Postal Order poundage (catalogue numbers prefixed O)
- Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- Federation of South Arabia (catalogue number R1)
- People's Republic of Southern Yemen (catalogue numbers R6/27)
- People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (catalogue numbers R31/68)
- Revenue usage of Postage stamps:
- Federation of South Arabia (catalogue numbers SA3/27)
- People's Republic of Southern Yemen (catalogue numbers SY1/25)
Acknowledgments
Robson Lowe, Bradbury, Wilkinson and Co, The Revenue Journal Vol IV No 2 (September 1993), p40
Special thanks to Joe Ross for providing a number of images used on this page.
Currency
1000 fils = 1 dinar
Airport Tax
A1 plus two different colour trials of a 500f in similar design with printed perforations
c1970. Aden International Civil Airport. 41 x 29 mm. Perf 13. No watermark. Printed by Pakistan Security Printing Corporation.
A1. 1d multicoloured
Note: a 500f value was also prepared in the same design but with the central inscriptions in Arabic only. This is not known as an issued stamp but several different colour trials exist from the printer's archive, some with simulated perforations printed around the design as illustrated here.
A1. 1d multicoloured
Note: a 500f value was also prepared in the same design but with the central inscriptions in Arabic only. This is not known as an issued stamp but several different colour trials exist from the printer's archive, some with simulated perforations printed around the design as illustrated here.
Excise
X1/2 proofs ex printer's archive
Labels stuck on cigarette packs to indicate the payment of tobacco duty.
1969-72. Coat of Arms. Country name and DUTY PAID inscribed in English and Arabic. 16½ x 42 mm. Imperf. No wmk. Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.
a) Inscribed People's Republic of Southern Yemen
[X1. (No value) rose-carmine]
b) Inscribed People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
[X2. (No value) rose-carmine]
Note: no issued examples of these labels have been recorded to date. The only known examples are the printer's proofs illustrated above plus a proof of X2 in the issued colour. Each proof is mounted on an approval card with a dated signature to show when the designs were approved for printing. The cards are dated 16th December 1968 for X1 and 27th March 1972 for X2.
1969-72. Coat of Arms. Country name and DUTY PAID inscribed in English and Arabic. 16½ x 42 mm. Imperf. No wmk. Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.
a) Inscribed People's Republic of Southern Yemen
[X1. (No value) rose-carmine]
b) Inscribed People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
[X2. (No value) rose-carmine]
Note: no issued examples of these labels have been recorded to date. The only known examples are the printer's proofs illustrated above plus a proof of X2 in the issued colour. Each proof is mounted on an approval card with a dated signature to show when the designs were approved for printing. The cards are dated 16th December 1968 for X1 and 27th March 1972 for X2.
Immigration Passports
P1/4
1968. Background as R1 but with changed inscriptions and featuring the new Coat of Arms. Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson in sheets of 100. 22½ x 18½ mm. Perf 14. No watermark.
P1. 250f black and brick-red
P2. 500f black and magenta
P3. 1d black and blue-green
P4. 2d black and ultramarine
[P5. 5d black and deep rose]
P1. 250f black and brick-red
P2. 500f black and magenta
P3. 1d black and blue-green
P4. 2d black and ultramarine
[P5. 5d black and deep rose]
P5 proof (image from Robson Lowe)
Notes:
1. Coloured proofs mounted on Bradbury Wilkinson cards are recorded for the 500f value and for the background only. The proofs were approved in April 1968.
2. The 5d has not yet been recorded as an issued stamp without surcharge, though a proof exists as illustrated here.
One printing of all five values (Req 6/62191/2) is recorded in the Crown Agents Requisition books. The date of dispatch is not recorded but would have been around the middle of 1968.
1. Coloured proofs mounted on Bradbury Wilkinson cards are recorded for the 500f value and for the background only. The proofs were approved in April 1968.
2. The 5d has not yet been recorded as an issued stamp without surcharge, though a proof exists as illustrated here.
One printing of all five values (Req 6/62191/2) is recorded in the Crown Agents Requisition books. The date of dispatch is not recorded but would have been around the middle of 1968.
P11/12
1978-83 (recorded usage). As previous issue but surcharged in Arabic, with black squares cancelling original value.
P11. 250f on 5d black and deep rose
P12. 500f on 5d black and deep rose
P11. 250f on 5d black and deep rose
P12. 500f on 5d black and deep rose
Labels and Obligatory Tax stamps
L1/2
1969 (earliest recorded usage). Arabic inscription 100 fils contribution to the fund for the families of the martyrs and the mutilated. 51 x 28 mm. Imperf. No watermark.
L1. 100f black on grey-blue
L2. 100f black on yellow
L1. 100f black on grey-blue
L2. 100f black on yellow
The three 5f stamps illustrated here are colour trials for an apparently unissued propaganda or fundraising label prepared around 1970. The stamps emanate from the archive of the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation and have simulated perforations printed around the design. The inscriptions at the top and side refer to the central committee for aiding the revolution in the occupied West Bank and Palestine. I have not seen any other examples and would be grateful to any reader who can supply further information.
L12
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L13
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L14
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1977 (earliest recorded usage). Arabic inscription Democratic Yemen Eleventh World Festival of Youth and Students 5 fils. 34 x 22 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
L12. 5f black
1979 (earliest recorded usage). TB sufferer and infected lungs. Inscribed Fight TB in Yemen PDR. 17 x 22½ mm. Perf 14 x 13½. No watermark.
L13. 5f black and pink
1979. Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem. Inscribed To the Welfare of the Families of Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of Palestine.
L14. 5f green, orange, yellow and deep ultramarine
L12. 5f black
1979 (earliest recorded usage). TB sufferer and infected lungs. Inscribed Fight TB in Yemen PDR. 17 x 22½ mm. Perf 14 x 13½. No watermark.
L13. 5f black and pink
1979. Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem. Inscribed To the Welfare of the Families of Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of Palestine.
L14. 5f green, orange, yellow and deep ultramarine
L15
1984. Arabic inscription 50 fils 1984 General Literacy Campaign. 36 x 21 mm. Imperf. No watermark.
L15. 50f black
L15. 50f black
Postal Order poundage
Illustrated above are three British postal orders overprinted for use in Southern Yemen. The first order has a face value of one shilling, with the poundage of 3d surcharged 20 fils in local currency. The other two orders show face values in decimal sterling currency, and were used in the 1980s. British postal orders were issued in a wide range of values and it is likely that many of these were overprinted for Yemen. Such items are not listed on this website but further information can be obtained from the Postal Order Society.
Revenue
R1
1966. 22½ x 18½ mm. Background showing unidentified building, small Coat of Arms at foot. Inscribed Federation of South Arabia Revenue Stamp in English and Arabic. Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson in sheets of 100 (10 rows of 10). Perf 14. No watermark.
R1. 1d black and rose
Note: according to the Crown Agents records this was the only revenue stamp produced for the Federation of South Arabia. There was just one printing of 5240 sheets (Req 5/25351/1), dispatched on 16th November 1965. The stamp was presumably issued at the end of 1965 or at the beginning of the following year.
R1. 1d black and rose
Note: according to the Crown Agents records this was the only revenue stamp produced for the Federation of South Arabia. There was just one printing of 5240 sheets (Req 5/25351/1), dispatched on 16th November 1965. The stamp was presumably issued at the end of 1965 or at the beginning of the following year.
R6/27
1969 (earliest recorded usage). State Arms, inscribed People's Republic of Southern Yemen. Fils values 22 x 25½ mm, perf 13½. Dinar values in larger format, 30½ x 42 mm, perf 13. No watermark. Printed by Pakistan Security Printing Corporation.
Enlarged to show inscription below Arms
R6. 5f deep brown and light blue
R7. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R8. 15f deep brown and turquoise
R9. 20f black and purple
R10. 25f deep brown and yellow-brown
R11. 40f carmine and blue-green
R12. 50f deep brown and violet
R13. 80f carmine and blue-grey
R14. 100f slate-blue and claret
R15. 140f carmine and bright green
R16. 200f carmine and yellow-olive
R17. 250f deep brown and deep ultramarine
R18. 300f black and rose-red
R19. 400f carmine and deep grey
R20. 500f slate-blue and purple-brown
R21. 1d slate-blue and red-orange
R22. 2d slate-blue and mauve
R23. 5d deep blue, green and blue
R24. 10d dark brown, orange-yellow and red
R25. 25d rose-carmine, red-orange and red
R26. 50d bronze-green, blue-green and yellow-green
R27. 100d scarlet, rose and red-orange
R7. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R8. 15f deep brown and turquoise
R9. 20f black and purple
R10. 25f deep brown and yellow-brown
R11. 40f carmine and blue-green
R12. 50f deep brown and violet
R13. 80f carmine and blue-grey
R14. 100f slate-blue and claret
R15. 140f carmine and bright green
R16. 200f carmine and yellow-olive
R17. 250f deep brown and deep ultramarine
R18. 300f black and rose-red
R19. 400f carmine and deep grey
R20. 500f slate-blue and purple-brown
R21. 1d slate-blue and red-orange
R22. 2d slate-blue and mauve
R23. 5d deep blue, green and blue
R24. 10d dark brown, orange-yellow and red
R25. 25d rose-carmine, red-orange and red
R26. 50d bronze-green, blue-green and yellow-green
R27. 100d scarlet, rose and red-orange
Note: Essays for the 25f, 100f, 250f and 500f exist in similar design and colours but with the country name inscribed in Arabic only, as shown here.
R31/39
1974 (earliest recorded usage). Similar to previous issue but now inscribed People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. 22 x 25½ mm. Perf 13½. No watermark.
a) Small figures of value
R31. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R33. 20f black and violet
R34. 25f deep brown and yellow
R35. 40f carmine and emerald
R37. 100f slate-blue and claret
R38. 250f deep brown and blue
R39. 500f slate-blue and purple-brown
a) Small figures of value
R31. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R33. 20f black and violet
R34. 25f deep brown and yellow
R35. 40f carmine and emerald
R37. 100f slate-blue and claret
R38. 250f deep brown and blue
R39. 500f slate-blue and purple-brown
Note: the imprint block of R31 illustrated here shows that this was printed by Pakistan Security Printing Corp, but the reprints with larger figures of value (R41/48) may have been the work of a different printer.
R41/48
R41, R44 and R47 showing large figures of value (on right) with R31, R34 and R37 (left) for comparison
b) Large figures of value
R41. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R42. 15f brown and turquoise
R44. 25f deep brown and yellow
R46. 50f brown and purple
R47. 100f slate-blue and claret
R48. 250f deep brown and blue
R41. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R42. 15f brown and turquoise
R44. 25f deep brown and yellow
R46. 50f brown and purple
R47. 100f slate-blue and claret
R48. 250f deep brown and blue
R50/56
1980s. As previous issue with large figures of value but change to perf 14½.
R50. 5f deep brown and light blue
R51. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R52. 20f black and violet
R53. 40f carmine and emerald
R54. 50f brown and violet
R55. 100f slate-blue and claret
R56. 200f carmine and yellow-olive
R57. 250f deep brown and blue
R50. 5f deep brown and light blue
R51. 10f deep brown and red-orange
R52. 20f black and violet
R53. 40f carmine and emerald
R54. 50f brown and violet
R55. 100f slate-blue and claret
R56. 200f carmine and yellow-olive
R57. 250f deep brown and blue
R66/68
c1990? Change to narrow format (19 x 25½ mm). No wmk. Perf 13½.
R66. 50f brownish rose and purple
R67. 100f slate-blue and rose
R68. 250f brownish rose and blue
R66. 50f brownish rose and purple
R67. 100f slate-blue and rose
R68. 250f brownish rose and blue
Revenue usage of Postage stamps
Note: for ease of reference, numbering follows the Stanley Gibbons catalogue throughout this section. Values listed here are those recorded as having been used for revenue purposes.
a) Stamps inscribed Federation of South Arabia
Note: for ease of reference, numbering follows the Stanley Gibbons catalogue throughout this section. Values listed here are those recorded as having been used for revenue purposes.
a) Stamps inscribed Federation of South Arabia
SA3/7
1965. Arms of the Federation. Perf 14½ x 14.
SA3. 5f blue
SA4. 10f violet-blue
SA5. 15f turquoise-green
SA6. 20f green
SA7. 25f yellow-brown
SA3. 5f blue
SA4. 10f violet-blue
SA5. 15f turquoise-green
SA6. 20f green
SA7. 25f yellow-brown
SA17
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SA19
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1965. International Co-operation Year. Watermark W12. Perf 14½.
SA17. 5f reddish purple and turquoise-green
1966. Churchill Commemoration. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA19. 5f black, cerise, gold and new blue
SA17. 5f reddish purple and turquoise-green
1966. Churchill Commemoration. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA19. 5f black, cerise, gold and new blue
SA23, SA25, SA27
1966. World Cup Football Championship, England. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA23. 10f violet, yellow-green, lake & yellow-brown
1966. Inauguration of WHO Headquarters, Geneva. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA25. 10f black, yellow-green and light blue
1968. 20th Anniversary of UNESCO. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA27. 10f slate-violet, red, yellow and orange
SA23. 10f violet, yellow-green, lake & yellow-brown
1966. Inauguration of WHO Headquarters, Geneva. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA25. 10f black, yellow-green and light blue
1968. 20th Anniversary of UNESCO. No watermark. Perf 14.
SA27. 10f slate-violet, red, yellow and orange
b) Stamps overprinted or inscribed People's Republic of Southern Yemen
SY1/5
1968. Arms of the Federation series (see SA3/5 above) overprinted with new state name in English and Arabic.
SY1. 5f blue (red opt)
SY2. 10f violet-blue (red opt)
SY5. 25f yellow-brown
SY1. 5f blue (red opt)
SY2. 10f violet-blue (red opt)
SY5. 25f yellow-brown
SY15/17
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SY19
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1968. Independence.
SY15. 10f multicoloured
SY17. 50f multicoloured
1968. Aden Girl Guides' Movement.
SY19. 10f sepia and blue
SY15. 10f multicoloured
SY17. 50f multicoloured
1968. Aden Girl Guides' Movement.
SY19. 10f sepia and blue
SY25
1968. Antiquities.
SY25. 5f brownish yellow and olive-green
The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen joined with the Yemen Arab Republic to form the united Republic of Yemen on 22nd May 1990. Revenue stamps issued for the united Republic are listed on the Yemen (Northern / Kingdom / YAR) page.
