FACE="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Armenia
FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 1919.
CURRENCY
1919, as Russia.
Once a kingdom with
a dynasty claiming descent from Solomon, Armenia has been in turn subject to
Persians, Seljuks, Byzantines, Mongols, Turks and Russians. Russia extended its
hold at the expense of Turkey in 1878. The Armenians proclaimed their
independence on 28 May 1918, were ruthlessly attacked by the Turks, but
regained independence after the Allied victory. Batum (see below) was placed
under British occupation, but Kars and Ardahan were again lost to Turkish arms.
National and Communist governments succeeded one another until on 2 April 1921
Communist forces entered Erivan and set up a Soviet republic.
On 12 March 1922 Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia were federated, but each continued to have separate
stamps until, on 1 October 1923, these were replaced by a general issue for the
Transcaucasian Federation. |
