Yugoslavia kingdom postage stamps year 1921/35 collection

Yugoslavia kingdom postage stamps year 1921/35 collection

The collection of Kingdom of Yugoslavia (formally the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes until 1929) postage stamps from 1921 to 1935 covers a significant period in the country’s early philatelic history, transitioning from regional issues to unified national sets and commemorating key events and figures.

Key Stamp Issues (1921–1935)

The stamps from this era are generally denominated in Paras and Dinars (100 Para = 1 Dinar) and feature the portraits of the reigning monarchs.

Definitive Issues (King Alexander I)

The backbone of the collection is the various definitive series featuring King Alexander I (or Crown Prince Alexander until 1921).

• 1921 First General Definitive Issue (Scott #8-21): This was the first unified general issue for the entire Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, replacing provisional regional issues.
  • Lower Values: Depicted Crown Prince Alexander (Regent at the time of issue).
  • Higher Values: Featured King Peter I.
  • Inscriptions were in both Latin and Cyrillic scripts.
• 1923-1927 Definitive Issues (Scott #26-29, 44-59): Subsequent definitive sets were issued, featuring various portraits of King Alexander I (who became King in 1921):
  • Some issues were printed by Thomas de la Rue et Co. in London and were noted for fine engraving.
  • Designs often varied slightly, including differences in the portrait (e.g., King Alexander wearing glasses) and the method of printing (engraved vs. typographed).
  • The later sets in this period (e.g., 1928) would feature the new name Jugoslavia overprinted or incorporated following the official name change in October 1929.

Commemorative and Semi-Postal Issues

Several commemorative and semi-postal sets were issued, often for charitable purposes or to mark national events:

• 1921 Victims of War Issue (Semi-Postal): A set sold at a premium (e.g., 10+10 para) to benefit the Society of War Invalids. Unsold stock of this issue was later surcharged and overprinted for postal use in 1922–1924.
• 1922-1924 Provisional Issues (Surcharges): Existing stamps, including the 1921 semi-postal set, were surcharged with new values and often overprinted with the new denomination in a different color. These are important for their numerous varieties and overprint errors.
• 1933 Overprinted Issues: Various denominations from the 1926-27 set were overprinted with “Jugoslavia” to use up existing stock after the country’s official name change in 1929.

Memorial and Subsequent King Issues

The end of this period is marked by the tragic assassination of King Alexander I and the introduction of stamps for the young new King:

• 1934 King Alexander Memorial Issue (Scott #107-120): A 14-stamp issue released shortly after the King’s assassination in Marseille on October 9, 1934.
• 1935 King Peter II Issue (Scott #130-141): Stamps featuring the young portrait of the new King, Peter II, who was a minor at the time and ruled under a regency.
• 1935 King Alexander Commemorative Issue: A set released on the first anniversary of King Alexander’s death.

Philatelic Characteristics

• Inscriptions: Stamps issued before October 1929 are inscribed “Kraljevina Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca” (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes). Stamps issued after the name change feature “Jugoslavija” (Yugoslavia).
• Scripts: Most stamps use both the Latin and Cyrillic scripts.
• Varieties: This period is rich in philatelic varieties, including overprint errors, differences in perforation, and paper types, especially in the early provisional and surcharged issues.