Countries Missing from the 1943/47 Album

Although I've mentioned in several posts that there are countries in the earlier editions of the International that got lost in later revisions, particularly when Scott split volume one into two parts. But that doesn't mean the original "Blue" was complete. I count 21 political entities in the Scott Classics Catalogue that are not in the "Blue" International. This post will look at each of these and try to determine whether the editors of the album made a wise decision to omit. And while I'm at it, I'll report whether the countries are in the Minkus Master Global (I don't have access to any of the Supreme Globals).

Bangkok
Great Britain issued 22 stamps for the capital of Siam between 1877 and 1885. The least expensive is $75, the most expensive is $40,000. Scott made a good call; these stamps are too costly to be included in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Bechuanaland
British Bechuanaland is different from the Bechuanaland Protectorate that is included in the "Blue." Scott lists 42 stamps for Bechuanaland of which a number catalog between 75c and $10. I believe the inexpensive issues of Bechuanaland should be in the "Blue." Both British Bechuanaland and the Bechunaland Protectorate are under Bechuanaland in Minkus.

British Columbia & Vancouver Island
Before this colony became part of Canada, it issued 18 stamps. The stamps catalog between $80 and $1250. Scott rightly omitted these issues. Not in Minkus.

Bushire
An Iranian port which according to the Classics Catalogue was occupied by British troops in 1915. These 29 stamps catalog between $32.50 and $6250: too expensive for the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

China Treaty Ports
According to Wikipedia, "Treaty ports were port cities in China, Japan and Korea opened to foreign trade by the Unequal Treaties." The catalog lists issues from Amoy, Chefoo, Chinkiang, Chungking, Foochow, Hankow, Ichang, Kewkiang, Nanking, Wei Hai Wei, and Wuhu. Scott differentiates these from the British settlement of Shanghai which is in the "Blue." While few of these stamps are terribly expensive, as a group they would probably best be served by a "compilation page," i.e., a page with the names of the treaty ports at the top but no specific illustrations or descriptions. Of course, it would be great if Scott replaced all of its "compilation pages" with regular album pages with specific spaces, but until that happens... Not in Minkus.

Columbia SCADTA-Consular Overprints
These Consular Overprints were related to airmail and the Scott Classics Catalogue devotes 4 pages to them but they are missing from the "Blue." The majority catalog more than $10 each so Scott was right to omit these pricey if interesting issues. Not in Minkus.

Columbia--Boyaca
The Columbian states of Antioquia, Bolivar, Cundinamarca, Santander, and Tolima are in the "Blue," but not Boyaca. Most of its 34 issues from 1870-1886 catalog for under one dollar so this state belongs in the "Blue" with the others. Not in Minkus.

Costa Rica--Guanacaste
There are 67 issues for this province which are all overprints of Costa Rican stamps. Some are very expensive, but there are enough issues under $3 that at least a handful should have been included in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Faroe Islands
These Danish islands have only 6 stamps in Scott, the least expensive of which is $20. Scott is right to have left these overprints out of the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Griqualand West
Originally part of the Cape of good Hope, it later became a British Crown Colony. Griqualand West issued 102 overprints of Cape of Good Hope stamps between 1877 and 1878. While several are under $10, most are more expensive and thus the territorial division doesn't belong in the "Blue." (There is a Griqualand East but apparently it didn't have any stamps.) In Minkus under Cape of Good Hope.

India--Native Feudatory States--Idar
Idar didn't start issuing stamps until 1939 and has only one stamp in the time period covered by the "Blue." Even though it only catalogs a few dollars, the stamp appears to be difficult to find. On the other hand, similar issues are relegated to a "compilation page," so it wouldn't be a big deal to add. Not in Minkus.

Italian Offices Abroad--Offices in Africa--Bengasi
The other Office in Africa, Tripoli, is in the "Blue" but with only 2 surcharges cataloging in the $20's, Bengasi doesn't belong. Not in Minkus.

Italian Offices Abroad--Aegean Islands--Lisso
Italy overprinted its stamps for 14 islands which Scott conflates on a single "compilation page" for all but Lisso. Lisso's overprints don't appear to be any more expensive than most of the other islands and should have been included by Scott. In Minkus with the Aegean Islands.

Lithuania--South Lithuania
South Lithuania, specifically, the Grodino District, has 8 overprints, all over $40 each. South Lithuania doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Mexico--Provisional Issues
These stamps from ten Mexican states were issued during times of political unrest. Almost all are too expensive for the "Blue" album so this was a good decision by Scott. Not in Minkus.

New Britain
Originally a part of German New Guinea under the name Neu-Pommern, New Britain has 45 surcharged stamps, all of which are too expensive for the "Blue." Surprisingly, these are in Minkus.

New Republic
The New Republic became part of the Union of South Africa, but between 1886 and 1887 issued 64 stamps. Almost all are more than $10 so the republic doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Peru--Provisional Issues
Various Peruvian cities issued overprints between 1879-1882. Some of these are under $10 but enough of them are more that these provisional issues probably don't belong in the "Blue." 64 stamps. Almost all are more than $10 so the republic doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Russia--Wenden
Wenden was originally part of Livonia. Scott lists 12 stamps issued between 1863 and 1901. While four are under $10, it is a toss-up as to whether Wenden belongs in the "Blue." I found a few Wenden issues on stamps.org, et al, but that suggests that these aren't that easy to acquire, so I'm going with the "Blue" editors on this one. 64 stamps. Almost all are more than $10 so the republic doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Stellaland
This was a republic created by the Boers that issued 6 stamps in 1884-5, all of which are expensive. It doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

Venezuela--Local Stamps
The Port of Carupano and the State of Guayana issued local stamps between 1902 and 1903. They are too expensive for the "Blue." 64 stamps. Almost all are more than $10 so the republic doesn't belong in the "Blue." Not in Minkus.

As always, corrections or comments would be appreciated.