Batum, a city in the Black Sea coast is the capital of
Adzhar, 
a territory which became an autonomous republic of the Georgian Soviet
Socialist Republic in 1921. Batum and surrounding areas came under the
administration of British forces between 12/1918 and 07/1920 following the
Treaty of Versailles. Prior to World War I, the area was under Russian rule.
Currently, Batum (Batumi) is the main port of Georgia and is considered
Georgia’s second capital. It is located around 14 miles from the Turkish border
and the setting is unbeatable with Black Sea on one side and mountains on the
other. Tourism forms one of the main activities in the area – much of it is
around the wonderful beaches although there are Roman ruins and castles one can
explore.
a territory which became an autonomous republic of the Georgian Soviet
Socialist Republic in 1921. Batum and surrounding areas came under the
administration of British forces between 12/1918 and 07/1920 following the
Treaty of Versailles. Prior to World War I, the area was under Russian rule.
Currently, Batum (Batumi) is the main port of Georgia and is considered
Georgia’s second capital. It is located around 14 miles from the Turkish border
and the setting is unbeatable with Black Sea on one side and mountains on the
other. Tourism forms one of the main activities in the area – much of it is
around the wonderful beaches although there are Roman ruins and castles one can
explore.
Philatelic Profile:
Prior to 1918, Russian stamps were
used in the area. The British occupation following WWI saw the British issuing
Batum stamps, as the existing Russian stock started to ran out. The first
stamps were a set of six imperforate stamps in single colors issued in 1919.
The set (Scott #1 to #6) catalogs for around $50 Mint and around double that
for Used. The design showed an aloe tree. 
The period till 1920 saw the British reissuing the first set
with the “British Occupation” overprints. Chief among them was a set of eight
stamps (Scott #13 to #20) issued in 1919. The set catalogs for around $60 Mint
and around $75 Used. There is an error variety of the 5r brown (Scott #19a -
“CCUPATION” overprint) that is very rare and catalogs in the $500 range for
Mint or Used.
The remainders from the Russian stock were also used with
surcharge and “BRITISH OCCUPATION” overprints. These (Scott #7 to #12, #21 to#26, etc) are generally not that common and fetch a premium. Error varieties
also exist and they catalog well into the 100s.
Forgeries of many of these issues are known to exist and so
it is critical that any acquisition of these stamps be sourced from reputable
dealers. Last Updated: 12/2015.
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