Azerbaijan Appraisal

Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Soldier Stamp (10 Rubles)

This item is a postage stamp from the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, likely from around 1919-1920, the period of its independence before Sovietization. The stamp features a central vignette of a soldier in military attire, possibly a partisan or national guard member, standing on what appears to be mountainous or uneven terrain. He is holding a rifle or similar weapon and proudly displaying a flag, which has a crescent moon and star motif in the upper left, characteristic of Azerbaijani symbols. The flag itself shows colors of red, green, and possibly additional hues that are difficult to discern precisely due to the stamp's condition and printing. The soldier's uniform is rendered in shades of green, with details such as facial features, belts, and boots visible. The central image is framed by an ornate border with a repeating intertwined pattern in green ink on a lighter background, possibly beige or off-white paper. Above the central image, there appear to be inscriptions in an Arabic script, indicating the country's name or other textual elements, and possibly the denomination. Below the central image, the denomination '10' is clearly visible in the bottom left, and to its right, the words 'REPUBLIQUE D'AZERBAIDJAN' are printed, signifying the country of origin. To the right of the country's name, 'COB' or 'COP' (likely 'COP' meaning 'kopeck' or 'ruble' in Cyrillic context) is also discernible. The stamp is perforated, indicating it was separated from a sheet. The paper color is a light tan or beige, and the printing is primarily in green and brown-reds, with some darker accents. Visible condition issues include slight discoloration and age-related toning of the paper, consistent with its estimated age. The perforations appear intact, though minor wear on the edges is possible. The print quality is somewhat coarse, common for stamps of this era and region, suggesting a modest level of craftsmanship rather than high-end philatelic production. The unique aspect is its representation of a short-lived independent nation's identity.