One of the countries that I avidly collect is the Southern Arabian British crown colony of Aden which issued stamps between 1937 and 1965. Before that, it used Indian colonial stamps. I currently have 40 out of 81 the colony released. My favorite stamp (thus far) from Aden is Scott #23a which was released on January 15, 1945. I love the detail of the engraving on this bi-colored — light blue and brown black — 14 annas stamp. It depicts the British engagement on Siri Island which resulted in the capture of Aden in January 1839 and is based on a painting by Captain Rundle of the Royal Navy. Perforated 12½, it was printed on paper watermarked with a sideways multiple script CA’s (for Crown Agents).
