Yemen Sultan Saleh bin Ghalib Signed Autographed Stamps Qu\’aiti State Sultanate

Description

For your consideration is an exceedingly rare and historically significant c.1946 postal stamp block set from the Qu’aiti State of Shihr and Mukalla, hand-signed "Saleh bin Ghalib" by HH Sultan Sir Saleh bin Ghalib Al-Qu’aiti. This extraordinary artifact features a block of four stamps, personally autographed by the Sultan himself in black fountain pen ink. Issued by the Aden Protectorate under the Sultanate of Qu’aiti State, this stamp block is a truly unique and highly unusual offering, rarely available in any condition, let alone in this fine/mint state.

The stamp block, measuring approximately 2.25 inches by 2.75 inches, remains unused and uncirculated, preserved as new old stock in impeccable condition. It was signed in 1946, a decade after Sultan Saleh bin Ghalib's accession to the throne, in response to a request by an autograph collector. The gracious response by His Highness transforms this already rare piece of philatelic history into a one-of-a-kind, museum-quality collectible.

The Qu’aiti State, part of the Eastern Aden Protectorate, has a rich postal history that began with mails being forwarded through Aden as early as 1891. At the Sultan's request, the first official post office dependent on Aden was opened in Mukalla on April 22, 1937. A postal union between Aden and the protected states was signed in 1939, allowing stamps issued by any state to be valid throughout the Protectorate and Colony. After a slight delay due to World War II, the first stamps inscribed “Qu’aiti State of Shihr and Mukalla” were issued in 1942. The stamp block in this lot, Scott #12, commemorates the Allied victory in World War II and was released on October 15, 1946.

The Qu’aiti State itself was a prominent polity in the Eastern Aden Protectorate, governed by individual rulers under the guidance of British residents and the Governor of Aden. The Eastern Protectorate included areas such as Hadhramaut, Socotra, and regions west of Muscat and Oman. Rulers of major states like Qu’aiti were entitled to the ceremonial honor of a nine-gun salute. However, the political landscape dramatically changed with the abolition of all states in 1967, marking the end of this historical governance structure.

This hand-signed stamp block is not merely a philatelic artifact; it is a tangible connection to the legacy of Sultan Saleh bin Ghalib and the rich history of the Qu’aiti State. Its pristine condition, historical significance, and rarity make it an invaluable acquisition for collectors of royal memorabilia, philatelic treasures, or Middle Eastern history. This unique piece encapsulates a critical era of political and cultural heritage, offering a direct link to the fascinating history of the Aden Protectorate and its states.