Luke Judge

Alaouites, 1925 (Scott #12)
Overprinted France ‘Sower’The Alawites State (French, Alaouites) is a region on the western side of Syria. France occupied Syria at the end of World War I, and following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, France received the area by mandate from the League of Nations. In 1924, the territory became an independent state, although France was still under mandate to administer the area. In 1930, the area was renamed Latakia.

France never printed stamps for Alaouites; all of the stamps in use during the period were overprinted stamps of France or Syria.

The first stamps were issued in 1925 and were French definitives. The stamps were overprinted with “Alaouites” and the denomination, and included the Arabic translation. There were a total of 21 French overprints used and these stamps catalog anywhere from about $1.50 (USD) to $7.00 each.

Because every Alaouites stamp is an overprinted stamp, almost every stamp issued has variations of the overprint. Some has multiple copies of the overprint, but the most common variation is the inverted overprint, where the overprint is upside-down, when viewing the underlying stamp right side up. The inverted overprints for the first series of stamps (the French overprints) run from about $10 to $20.

Sample overprint showing
name and denominationBeginning in March 1925, Syrian stamps were overprinted and used for postage. There are a total of 25 regular issue stamps from 1925 through 1928. Combined with the 24 French overprinted stamps, there were a total of 49 regular stamps issued for Alaouites.

For the Syrian stamps, there are a variety of overprints, including those in black, blue, or red ink. With this many options on overprints, there are several varieties for most stamps. However, collecting the main issue of Syrian overprints would not be very expensive … most of these stamps catalog for $1 or $2.

Two types of back-of-the-book stamps were issued for Alaouites — air post and postage due stamps.

The air post stamps are double overprinted; the first overprint consists of the basic stamp overprinted for service in Alaouites but with an additional overprint indicating their use for air postage. The 1925 stamps were overprinted with words and numbers; the 1926 issue and later were overprinted with a large red or black airplane. There were 21 air post stamps issued (excluding variations) and the total catalog value is around $115.

Alaouites, Air Post, 1926 (Scott #C12)
Regular Issue Overprinted with Red AirplanePostage due stamps were also issued for Alaouites. A total of 10 stamps of this type were issued with a total catalog value of about $30.

Price-wise, the basic stamps for Alaouites should be in anyone’s budget. With a total catalog value of about $300 for the entire run, most any collector could afford these stamps. Many of the lower-value stamps can be obtained for well under their catalog value, although the few high-values seem to hold up well.

If you decide to collect the overprint variations, you will find them much more expensive. I’ve seldom seen any listed on auction sites and will probably have to be obtained by a dedicated stamp dealer.

Previous Stamp Issuer Topics:

• Ajman
• Aitutaki
• Aguera, La
• Afghanistan
• Afars and Issas, French Territory of the
• Aden
• Abu Dhabi

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Teens attempt to rob fruit seller on Dixon Road

On June 23 at about 5:30 p.m., Milpitas Police Department officers responded to an attempted robbery at 200 Dixon Road.

Police said a 20-year-old Stockton man was standing on the corner of Dixon Road and Arizona Avenue selling fruit when two teen boys walked up to him and demanded money. One teen simulated that he had a knife though no weapon was seen.

The victim allegedly ran away unhurt and immediately called police. No loss was reported and the suspects fled in an unknown direction.

The first suspect was partially described as a Hispanic male, 15 to 16 years old, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 155 pounds. The second suspect was only described as a young Hispanic male, police said.

Shattered door sounds restaurant alarm

On June 21 at about 4:20 a.m., police responded to vandalism at Half Penny Fish & Grill at 1350 S. Park Victoria Drive.

Police said a patrolling security guard discovered someone shattered the restaurant’s front glass door in three places with an unknown tool. However, the glass did not break and no entry was made into the business.

Damage was estimated at $300. No suspects are known, police said.

Jewelry, watches stolen from Cameron Circle house

On June 20 at about 9 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary on the 900 block of Cameron Circle.

Police said someone entered the home through an unlocked living room window, went into

the bedroom and stole a 1-foot by 1-foot metal safe containing several thousand dollars worth of jewelry and watches. No suspects are known.

South Park Victoria apartment burgled of cash

On June 20 at about 8 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary on the 500 block of South Park Victoria Drive.

Police said someone entered an apartment by removing a window screen and unlocking the front door. Once inside, burglars stole a lock box containing several hundred dollars in cash. No suspects are known.

Alleged prostitute robbed of cash, cell phone

On June 18 at about 2:45 a.m., police responded to an armed robbery at Extended Stay America at 1000 Hillview Court.

Police said a 19-year-old Madera woman was robbed inside her room after another 19-year-old woman allegedly opened the door for two armed men. One man brandished a black semi-automatic pistol and took the victim’s cell phone and several hundred dollars cash, police said.

Both men then left the area with the other woman.

The first suspect was described as an African-American male, unknown age, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 220 pounds, wearing a white shirt and dark jeans, police said.

The second suspect was described as an African-American male, 25 years old, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 180 pounds, wearing a blue T-shirt and dark blue jeans and a dark cap, police said.

The victim, who admitted to working as a prostitute, gave the name of the other woman to investigators who are searching for all three suspects, police said.

Sark Court home ransacked in burglary

On June 16 at about 4:30 a.m., police responded to a residential burglary on the 500 block of Sark Court.

Police said the friend of a 61-year-old man living at the home discovered the house had been ransacked. Suspects likely gained access through a garage door.

No suspects are known and no loss was listed, police said.

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