Gilan Socialist Republic Stamps

I've recently acquired some sets of Gilan Socialst Republic stamps which date from around 1920 in NW Iran. While I can find plenty of information on the republic itself, finding any philatelic info is not so easy. Unfortunately, where I live is not good for catalogues, and even electricity is a luxury sometimes...

The stamps are mint or "used" (CTO by the look of it) and are either overprinted or not. I don't have any mint stamps with overprints. Can anyone help with any info on these issues, and also the nearby Azadistan Republic which popped up about the same time? Were stamps genuinely ever postally used? What was the history of their issue? Any help will be gratefully received.

Rgds, Tim H

That's is an unending question. No mainstream cataloge accepts them. My postion is that nation did exist for a time so there is interest and value.

I had never heard of Gilan - thanks for sharing.