title: Compendium of postage stamp issuers (Aa–Al)
text: # Compendium of postage stamp issuers (Aa–Al)
  
  Each "article" in this category is in fact a collection of entries about several stamp issuers, presented in alphabetical order. The entries themselves are formulated on the micro model and so provide summary information about all known issuers.
  
  See the Category:Compendium of postage stamp issuers page for details of the project.
  
  ## A&T
  
  Overprint on French Colonial Commerce types of Annam and Tongking issued on 21 January 1888. These stamps also carried a surcharge of 1 or 5 centimes.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Annam & Tongking
  
  ## Abu Dhabi
  
  Formerly an independent sheikhdom, Abu Dhabi is now the capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It issued its own stamps when there was a British postal agency in the sheikhdom. The agency was opened on Das Island in December 1960 and in Abu Dhabi City on 30 March 1963. Issues were discontinued when Abu Dhabi joined the United Arab Emirates.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1964–1972
  
  ### Capital
  
      Abu Dhabi City
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1964) 100 naye paise = 1 rupee
      (1966) 1000 fils = 1 dinar
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Abu Dhabi, List of postage stamps of Abu Dhabi
  
  ### See also
  
      British Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia;
      Trucial States;
      United Arab Emirates
  
  ## Abyssinia
  
  Historical name for Ethiopia.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Ethiopia
  
  ## ACCP
  
  Cyrillic for Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic which was sometimes used as an inscription.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Azerbaijan
  
  ## Açores
  
  AÇORES (Portuguese spelling) is the inscription on all Azores stamps.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Azores (Acores)
  
  ## Aden
  
  A seaport in Yemen that was occupied by the British in 1839 and administered as a colony until 1963, its main purpose being as a coaling station for British shipping going to and from India via the Suez Canal. Originally governed as part of British India, it became a Crown Colony in 1937.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1937–1963
  
  ### Capital
  
      Aden Town
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1937) 16 annas = 1 rupee
      (1951) 100 cents = 1 shilling
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Aden
  
  ### See also
  
      Aden Protectorate States
  
  ## Aden Protectorate States
  
  Collective name for various states in the Hadhramaut region of southern Arabia, now part of the Republic of Yemen.
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of the Aden Protectorate States
  
  ### Includes
  
      Kathiri State of Seiyun;
      Mahra Sultanate of Qishn and Socotra;
      Qu'aiti State in Hadhramaut;
      Qu'aiti State of Shihr and Mukalla;
      South Arabian Federation;
      Upper Yafa
  
  ### See also
  
      Aden;
      Southern Yemen
  
  ## Adélie Land
  
  Adélie Land (Terre Adélie) is a French territory on the Antarctic mainland.
  
  ### Refer
  
      French Southern and Antarctic Territories
  
  ## Adrianople (Edirne)
  
  The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) gave Greece a mandate for Eastern Thrace, including Adrianople. Turkish stamps in Adrianople were overprinted High Commission of Thrace and surcharged. Adrianople was returned to Turkey by the Treaty of Lausanne in 1922 and is now called Edirne.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1920–1922
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 lepta = 1 drachma (Greek)
  
  ### Refer
  
      Thrace
  
  ### See also
  
      Eastern Thrace;
      Greek Occupation Issues
  
  ## AEF
  
  Acronym for Afrique Equatoriale Française which was sometimes used as an inscription.
  
  ### Refer
  
      French Equatorial Africa
  
  ## Aegean Islands (Dodecanese)
  
  Several Greek islands (the Dodecanese) off the coast of Asia Minor that were occupied by Italy in May 1912 and then ceded to Turkey in 1920. The islands were all restored to Greece on 15 September 1947.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1912–1945
  
  ### Capital
  
      Rodhos (Rhodes Town)
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 centesimi = 1 lira (Italian)
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of the Aegean Islands
  
  ### Includes
  
      Astypalaea;
      Castelrosso (Kastellórizo);
      Kalimnos;
      Karpathos;
      Kasos;
      Khalki;
      Kos;
      Leros;
      Lipsos;
      Nisyros;
      Patmos;
      Rhodes;
      Syme;
      Telos
  
  ### See also
  
      Dodecanese Islands (Greek Occupation);
      Greek Occupation Issues;
      Middle East Forces (MEF)
  
  ## Afars and Issas
  
  Former French colony that is now Djibouti.
  
  ### Refer
  
      French Territory of Afars & Issas
  
  ## Afghanistan
  
  Landlocked state of central Asia, formerly a kingdom and latterly an Islamic republic.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1870 –
  
  ### Capital
  
      Kabul
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1870) 3 abasi = 1 rupee
      (1920) 60 paisa = 1 rupee
      (1926) 100 pouls = 1 afghani
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Afghanistan
  
  ## Africa (Portuguese Colonies)
  
  A general issue for all Portuguese colonies in Africa and the Atlantic.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1898 only
  
  ### Currency
  
      1000 réis = 1 mil réis
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of the Portuguese colonies in Africa
  
  ### See also
  
      Angola;
      Azores;
      Cape Verde Islands;
      Madeira;
      Mozambique;
      Portuguese Congo;
      Portuguese Guinea;
      Sao Tome e Principe
  
  ## Africa Occidental Espanola
  
  Inscription on stamps of Spanish West Africa.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Spanish West Africa
  
  ## Africa Orientale Italiane
  
  Inscription on stamps of Italian East Africa.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Italian East Africa
  
  ## Afrique Equatoriale Française
  
  Inscription on stamps of French Equatorial Africa.
  
  ### Refer
  
      French Equatorial Africa
  
  ## Afrique Occidentale Française
  
  Inscription on stamps of French West Africa.
  
  ### Refer
  
      French West Africa
  
  ## Aitutaki
  
  Aitutaki is part of the Cook Islands, and lies about 140 miles (230 km) north of Rarotonga. It consists of many volcanic and coral islets around a lagoon. The total land area is only 7 square miles (18 $km^2).$ Access by sea is via an offshore anchorage with boat passage to Arutunga. There is also an airstrip which was built in WW2 by American forces. The population, less than 2500, is mainly Polynesian.
  
  The 1903–1932 issues were New Zealand stamps with an overprint of AITUTAKI. Stamps of the Cook Islands were used 1932–1972 without overprint. Local issues began in 1972.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1972 –
  
  ### Capital
  
      Arutunga
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 cents = 1 dollar
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Aitutaki
  
  ### Includes
  
      Aitutaki (New Zealand Administration)
  
  ### See also
  
      Cook Islands;
      New Zealand
  
  ## Aitutaki (New Zealand Administration)
  
  Early stamp issues in Aitutaki were New Zealand types with an overprint.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1903–1932
  
  ### Capital
  
      Arutunga
  
  ### Currency
  
      12 pence = 1 shilling; 20 shillings = 1 pound
  
  ### Refer
  
      Aitutaki
  
  ## Ajman
  
  One of the Trucial States which became the United Arab Emirates in 1972, Ajman was one of the most notorious sources of stamps that had dubious postal connections. Few, if any, Ajman stamps are of interest and all issues during the 1967–72 period must be regarded as non-postal.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1964–1967
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1964) 100 naye paise = 1 rupee
      (1967) 100 dirhams = 1 riyal
  
  ### Refer
  
      Trucial States
  
  ## Åland Islands
  
  Åland is an autonomous province of Finland. It is a group of islands in the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia.
  
  Separate issues began in 1984 although stamps of Finland continued to be valid. From 1 Jan 1993, Åland began its own postal administration and Finnish stamps ceased to have validity there.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1984 –
  
  ### Capital
  
      Mariehamn
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 penni = 1 markka
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of the Åland Islands
  
  ### See also
  
      Finland
  
  ## Alaouites
  
  Alaouites (Alawi) is a district of Syria lying on the coast between Hatay and Lebanon. It was formerly part of the Turkish Empire but was placed under a French mandate in 1920. It became an independent republic and was renamed Latakia (after the capital) in 1930. On 28 February 1937, it was incorporated into Syria.
  
  Stamps of France were issued in 1925 with overprint ALAOUITES. These were soon superseded by stamps of Syria bearing the same overprint. In July 1931, stamps of Syria were issued with overprint LATTAQUIE. Since 1 March 1937, stamps of Syria without overprint have been in constant use.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1925–1930
  
  ### Capital
  
      Latakia
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 centimes = 1 piastre
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Alaouites
  
  ### Includes
  
      Ile Rouad;
      Latakia
  
  ### See also
  
      Syria
  
  ## Alaska
  
  Largest state of the USA but separated from the rest by Canada. Discovered by Vitus Bering in 1741, it was first settled by Russia in 1744. The USA purchased the territory in 1867 for $7.2 million at a penny an acre. Alaska was admitted to the Union on 3 January 1959 as the 49th state.
  
  There was no postal service under Russian ownership. Alaska has used stamps of the USA only.
  
  ### Capital
  
      Juneau
  
  ### Refer
  
      United States of America
  
  ## Alawi
  
  The State of the Alawi, called Alaouites in French, had a separate existence between the World Wars but is now part of Syria. It was a coastal enclave between Hatay and Lebanon.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Alaouites
  
  ## Albania
  
  A coastal republic on the Adriatic Sea in south-east Europe which used stamps of Turkey from 1870 to 1913.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1913 –
  
  ### Capital
  
      Tirana
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1913) 40 paras = 1 piastre (or grosch)
      (1913) 100 qintar = 1 franc
      (1947) 100 qintar = 1 lek
      (1965) 100 qintar = 10 old leks = 1 new lek
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Albania
  
  ### See also
  
      Durazzo (Italian Post Office);
      German Occupation Issues (World War II);
      Greek Occupation Issues;
      Italian Occupation Issues;
      Italian Post Offices in the Turkish Empire;
      Korce (Koritza);
      Scutari (Italian Post Office);
      Valona (Italian Post Office)
  
  ## Albania (German Occupation)
  
  Albania was occupied by German forces after the fall of Italy in the Second World War. Relevant stamps are catalogue nos 389–408 of Albania.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1943–1944
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 qintar = 1 franc
  
  ### Refer
  
      German Occupation Issues (World War II)
  
  ## Albania (Greek Occupation)
  
  Following Italy's abortive invasion of Greece in 1940, Greek forces occupied much of southern Albania until driven back by the German army which reinstated Italian rule. Greek stamps with overprint were issued in the occupied zone.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1940–1941
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 lepta = 1 drachma
  
  ### Refer
  
      Greek Occupation Issues
  
  ## Albania (Italian Occupation)
  
  Albania was occupied by Italian forces in April 1939 as a prelude to the Second World War. Relevant stamps are catalogue nos 337–388 of Albania.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1939–1943
  
  ### Currency
  
      100 qintar = 1 franc
  
  ### Refer
  
      Italian Occupation Issues
  
  ## Aldabra
  
  A sparsely populated group of coral islands in the Indian Ocean, politically part of the Seychelles. Noted for the Aldabra giant tortoise.
  
  ### Refer
  
      British Indian Ocean Territory;
      Zil Elwannyen Sesel
  
  ## Alderney
  
  Alderney, one of the Channel Islands, is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and its stamps are valid throughout the Bailiwick.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1983 –
  
  ### Capital
  
      St Anne
  
  ### Currency
  
      (British) 100 pence = 1 pound
  
  ### Main article
  
      Postage stamps and postal history of Alderney, List of postage stamps of Alderney
  
  ### See also
  
      Guernsey
  
  ## Aleutian Islands
  
  A chain of islands, sparsely populated, which stretch westward across the North Pacific from Alaska. Politically they are part of Alaska. Have used stamps of the USA only.
  
  ### Capital
  
      Dutch Harbor
  
  ### Refer
  
      United States of America
  
  ## Alexandretta
  
  Now known as Iskenderun, a city and province of Hatay. In 1938, stamps of Syria were issued in Hatay with the overprint SANDJAK D'ALEXANDRETTE (note: "sandjak" is a Turkish word meaning "district").
  
  ### Refer
  
      Hatay
  
  ## Alexandria (French Post Office)
  
  A French Post Office was opened at Alexandria in 1830. It issued French stamps without overprint or surcharge 1857–1899. In 1899, it began to issue French stamps with an overprint of ALEXANDRIE. Issues from 1921 were surcharged in Egyptian currency. The office closed in 1931.
  
  ### Dates
  
      1899–1931
  
  ### Currency
  
      (1899) 100 centimes = 1 franc
      (1921) 1000 milliemes = 1 pound (Egyptian)
  
  ### Refer
  
      Egypt (French Post Offices)
  
  ## Alexandria (Italian Post Office)
  
  This office used Italian stamps only (no overprint or surcharge).
  
  ### Refer
  
      Italian Post Offices Abroad
  
  ## Alexandrie
  
  Overprint used on French stamps in Alexandria.
  
  ### Refer
  
      Alexandria (French Post Office)
  