Journal of the Rossica Society of Russian Philately

THE JOURNAL
Or of the

ROSSICA SOCIETY
of

RUSSIAN PHILATELY

No. '19 1954

Editor
Dr. Gregory B. Salisbury
49th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia 39, Pa., U. S. A.
F-

INIZX 6

Pages 1 -Editqrial Set Up, Offleers, Honored Members, etc.
2 -President's Message*A, A. Chebotkevich
3w4.-Editoriall.Dr- G. B. Salisbury
5-11-Russian Philately.E. Markovitch
12-13-Eugene M. Arcbangelsky-Biography-Dro G. B. Salisbury
13-19-4harity or Semi-Postal Issues ef Imperial and
Soviet Russia ,-R Sklatevokl
20-26-Russian America-Postal History of a Forgotten Era-
Dr. G. B, Salisbury
26-wotes on Bock "Stamps of the Isvant Post Offices"
R. Sklarevski
27-28-OUSSR"-15 kop* Soldier Type of 1939.E Arehangelsky
28-Notes on Advertisements..
28-Notes on Book *Rural-Posten Von Russland**R. Sklarevaki
28-29-Vlasov SeriesB. Ilgky
29-30-Proofs of the Ukrainian Overprints on the Series of
1928-Captain S. de Sohramchenko.
30-31-Roasika Philatelio Exhibition in Belgium-B. Igky
31-Advertisement
32-35-Thematic Collecting-Dr. B, S. Voropinsky
36-37-Philatellic Literature-R. Sklarevski
38-Notes an Book "J. B. Moens Catalogue de Timbres
Poste"-R. Sklarevski
38-42-literary Review-Dr. G, B. Salisbury
43-Notes of the Russian Chief of Post in T etzerling-
Mandale (Mongolie)*4.. Cronin
"44-5-The Auctioneer-Dr. G. B. Salisbury
45-46-Philatelic LUbrary-R. Sklarevski
46-48-Collectors of the Past-Breitfuss of St.. Petersburg
Herman Heret, Jr..
48-Notes on Book "Romeko Catalogue"-R.. Sklarevski

JOURNAL OF THE ROSSIKA SOCIETY OF RUSSIAN PHIIATELY

Editor of the English Section-Dr. Gregory B. Salisbury
49th. and Locust St.,p Philadelphis 39, Pa., U.S.A.
Asaeclate Editr and Publisher- Rimna A. Sklarevaki
640 N. Charles St. Ave., Towson 4, Md., U.S.A.
Publisher of the Russian EditionN. lavrov
81 Menroe St., Garfield, N. J., U.S.A.
Editorial Beard pf the Russian Edition-A. A. Chebutkevich,
A. N. Isvrrv, U.S.A., E. Markovitch, Venesuela.
Editor of the French EditionB. legkcy, 16 Sq. Gutenberg,
Brusselle, Belgium.

THE ROSSIKA SOCIETY OF RUSSIAN PHIIATELY

President-Alexander A. Chebotkevich, 40 E. Old Mill Road,
Ridge Farm, lake Forest, Illinli, U.S.A.
Secretary-Russian Speaking Section-A. A. Iavr!v
English Speaking Section-Dr. G. B. Salisbury
Honorary President-Eugene M. Archangelaky-Ulica D.
Brancova 19, Bela Crcva, Banat, Jugoslavia.

HONORARY iEMBEBRS

Arranged Alvbabetically
A. A. Chebstkevilh A. M. Rosselevitch
N. I. Kordakoff G. B. Salisbury
A. N. Iavrov N. V. Savitsky
B. Legky H. hi. Shenits
E. I. Markovitch
V. A. Rachmanov
I. Rubach

44 1

0

JOURNAL OF THE ROSSIKA SOCIETY OF RUSSIAN PHIIATELY

Editor of the English Section-Dr. Gregory B. Salisbury
49th. and Locust St.,p Philadelphis 39, Pa., U.S.A.
Asaeclate Editr and Publisher- Rimna A. Sklarevaki
640 N. Charles St. Ave., Towson 4, Md., U.S.A.
Publisher of the Russian EditionN. lavrov
81 Menroe St., Garfield, N. J., U.S.A.
Editorial Beard pf the Russian Edition-A. A. Chebutkevich,
A. N. Isvrrv, U.S.A., E. Markovitch, Venesuela.
Editor of the French EditionB. legkcy, 16 Sq. Gutenberg,
Brusselle, Belgium.

THE ROSSIKA SOCIETY OF RUSSIAN PHIIATELY

President-Alexander A. Chebotkevich, 40 E. Old Mill Road,
Ridge Farm, lake Forest, Illinli, U.S.A.
Secretary-Russian Speaking Section-A. A. Iavr!v
English Speaking Section-Dr. G. B. Salisbury
Honorary President-Eugene M. Archangelaky-Ulica D.
Brancova 19, Bela Crcva, Banat, Jugoslavia.

HONORARY iEMBEBRS

Arranged Alvbabetically
A. A. Chebstkevilh A. M. Rosselevitch
N. I. Kordakoff G. B. Salisbury
A. N. Iavrov N. V. Savitsky
B. Legky H. hi. Shenits
E. I. Markovitch
V. A. Rachmanov
I. Rubach

44 1

0

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Two years have passed since the revival of our society. We have
issued during that time nineteen bulletins, and now, after a fifteen
year break, we also offer to our members, the Journal of the Roesika
Society. It is rich in content, and in spite of its somewhat mcdest
appearance, it shall rapidly improve its looks. We hope to include
illustrations in the next issue, and as our membership grows, we
shall print the journal by typography.

Our executive body, representatives abroad, and our writers work
hard and without any renumeration, with only one goal in mind, that of
elevating this project to its proper and deserved level. We hope that
every philatelist, who specializes in our field, supports this under-
taking.

Besides issuing this journal in the English language, we are like-
wise issuing the same in the Russian text, and also hope to print a
French edition. It is our desire to attract philatelists all over the
world, who may otherwise not join because of their inability to read
the publication.

At present time, we have more than a hundred members, plus a
large number $p process ef joining, because of our publications. These
philatelists live in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia,
Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, France, French Morocco, Algeria, Belgium,
Belgian Cngo, Greece, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Finland, Iran,
Israel and Jugoslavia.

In this preface to our journal, I wish to express my gratitude to
our Honorary President, and founder of nur organization, E. M. Archan-
gelsky for his valuable and learned articles, which we published in
nearly every issue of our BULIETIN, my deepest thanks to my friends-
tireless workers, Secretaries A. N. Lavrov, and Dr. G. B& Salisbury.
Great appreciation must be given to the renowned philatelist, author
and member of the editorial board of this journal E. I. Marcovitch,
also our thanks to our representative in Belgium, B. LUgky for the -
organization and stcces& of our exhibition in Brussells this year, by
which we raised the prestige of our society abroad, and gave us splendid
publicity in the philatelic press. Great thanks go also to my friend
Dr. B. S. Voropinsky, for his ever interesting philatelic articles, to
our member and Associate editor of this journal, R. Sklarevski for
giving us his valuable time freely in making stencils, and mimeographing
the publication without cost, except for the materials, and finally to
V. P. Cerny, organizer and head of the New York section of Rossika, and
to all members and writers who have made this journal possible.

A. A. Chebotkevich
2

S*

EDITORIAL

It is indeed a great thrill to start a new chapter in the history
of our world famous Rossika Societye Once before, In November of 1940,
a similar effort was inaugurated by the Shanghai members, however only
three bi-lingual numbers (41, 42 and 43) resulted, as the venture col-
lapsed during the Second World War* The rebirth of the society ins-
pired by its founder E M. Arcangelaky, and its head, A. A. Chebotkevich,
as well as by its tireless secretary A* N. Navrov, produced a fine
INFORIMTION BULLETIN for the rapidly growing group of our philatelists.
Many of the present members belonged to the original Rossika Society,
started in Jugoslavia, in 1929, and they remember the golden years that
brought to our Journal two Bronse and two Silver medals at the Internat-
ional Philatelic Exhibitions of Vienna, Koenigsberg, Belgrade and Prague.
Our BULIETIN, a very mall and modest publication cannot compete with the
great champion of the past.......... at present.' Its transformation into
a bi-lingual Rossika Journal must, for many reasons be influenced by the
society itself.

In starting a venture of this kind, one must be practical. The
emigres who formed the bulk of the old group have dwindled to less than
one sixth of the amber. Death, illness, living conditions, loss of
collections, and interest, lack of time, and political restrictions have
played chaos with the proud list of the past. Many of our "giants" of
philately have gone; Schmidt, Prigara, Theo. lavrov, Bruhl, Brodis, one
can go on and cn, adding to the ever growing honor roll of these who have
departed. Thus, we have but a small core of possible contributors, and
we have but a small group whose dues must finance this undertaking. We
cannot grow, depending on emigres, and as long as the publication is in
Russian, its appeal is limited to them It is imperative that we attract
new blood, greater support everywhere. Facing these facts we must pub-
lish a bi-lingual journal. Our English section should appeal to the
potential members in the United States, United Kingdom and the British
Commonwealth, and to many who can read English with varying ability.

It is our goal to please as many collectors as possible. There shall
be "meat" for the advanced specialists, ample food for thought for the
average philatelist, and plenty of information for the beginner in cur
field. With this in mind, we shall solicit original manuscripts in English
from cur present members, we shall translate condenced versions of long
articles, and full versions of shorter works from the old Rossika journals,
for the benefit of those who either do not hare old issues, or cannot read
Russian, we shall reprint articles, or portions of articles from the
Journal of British Society of Russian Philately (your editor is the head
of the U. S. section of B. S. R. P. and has received gracious and generous
permission from Mr. J. Barry, Secretary and one of the co-editors of the
Journal of B. S. R. P.), and we shall translate bits from the old "Vsemir-
naya Poehta", Marki", "Soviet Collector and Soviet Philatelist", and many
other Imperial, and Post-Imperial ussian philatelic publications. This
should be very handy for many present and prospective members. It is like-
wise intendentto produce a "gossip" page to acquaint fellow members with
news about our members, their collections, and problems. There shall like-
wise be a page called "THE AUCTIONEER" which shall deal with the events at
auctions, rare items sold, prices realized, etc. Another important page
shall be the "ITERARY BEVIEW" which will discuss briefly articles and

U4 3

books written on our field, all over the world, giving names of authors,
books or articles written, and contents. Thus the members who may be
interested, can easily write to ptoper publications for the information
needed, or for the books or journal desired. A page is planned for the
use of all members, where they can record the stamps or items they wish
to trade, bu* or sell, and oie called the "Questionaire" in which will be
published all questions, and in the next issue, the answers to all phila-
telic problems. These will be submitted to specialists in their respective
fields* last, but not least will be a section devoted to the resume
briefly, of all the material not translated in one edition covered in the
Russian section, for the benefit of these members who do not read our
mother tongue. Thus they shall not feel as if they are missing anything
of interest to them

This is a large order Needless to say this is our objective, but we
cannot guarantee its immediate execution, however, to enter upon a project
such as this, without a program, is as disastrous as sailing a ship with-
cut a compass and charts. likewise, it is an open invitation for all mem-
bers to contribute to the various pages of this section.' It is your Jour-
nal, its success or failure depends on.you. In conclusion, we must remind
our readers that this section now opens the door of our organization to
many who before could not enter because of the barricade of the unknown
language,. All of you know at least one philatelist who collects in our
field, or whose interest can be aroused, provided that he has access to
our publication. We can double our membership overnight, and enable the
Rossika Journal to grow and flourish

The task of starting this journal anew has been colossal, however the
wonderful cooperation of the editorial board made it likewise a labor of
love and pleasure. It is our hope that with increased membership we can
produce this publication by typography, and add many pages of illustrations.
The growth of this venture is in your hands.

This magazine is dedicated to the sole task of philatelic research and
enjoyment, in our specialized field. Th this we also add that the new
Rossika Journal desires articles of general and specialized interest, but
not of any countries outside of our field, also no numismatic contributions
about coins, or paper currency of any kind, and finally no articles about
other hobbies. Thus, we differ from the old Rossika Journal, which did
publish articles of such type, by numismatists, rock collectors, as well as
specialists in other fields of philately.

This is our first and last lengthy editorial. My associate editor
joins me in greeting you and is wishing you pleasant moments of relaxation
in this wonderful hobby of ours, phflately, and its newborn infant mouth-
piece, our Rossika Journal.

4 44

i RUSSIAN PHIIATEIg
Notes of an old philatelist

by E. Markovitch

After a ten year interval of trying and heart breaking war years,
occupation, and post war catastrophes, embittered by the struggle for
existence of th3 Russian emigres, a group of Russian collectors in the
United Sta-'es revived the Rossika Philatelic Society and the journal of
the organization.

I should not discuss at this time the history of the birth, the life
and the revival of this one and only group and periodical of the Russian
philatelists living abroad, which was founded in Jugoslavia 24 years ago
by the eminent philatelist Eugene Mikhailovitch Archangelsky. He was the
head of the society and the editor-publisher of the journal which existed
for tvelve years, during the turbulent and difficult times of the lives of
the emigres. All this will be a theme of another article dedicated to the
history of Rossika.

In this issue, I shall deal with the Russian collectors from the view-
point of an old philatelist who has been collecting stamps since 1910,
about the countries, territories, and objectives pertaining to Russian
philately, what to collect, and what to select in the broad field of ours,
if one is to specialize in the stamps of Russia.

When I begun to collect stamps, forty years ago, became acquainted
with a large group of important philatelists. Majority of them collected
either the entire world or Europe. During these days this was possible,
as the prices for stamps were mucj lower than these of present day and the
number of stamps issued by all the nations formed but a fiftieth of the
present day total. There were no long series issued by various governments,
to commemorate major or minor events, jubilees, etc. The aim of the major-
ity of such emissions, as it is well known, is to mulct money from the
pockets of the philatelists for the benefit of the post offices or to increase
the revenue of the nation's treasuries.

Thanks to the comparative cheapness and the relatively small number
of existing stamps, majority of collectors at the turn of the century
were able to collect stamps of the entire world. At that time, the current
albums of German production housed all the stamps of the world in one volume.
To-day it would take between 30 Or 40 volumes to do the same.

Thus many Russian collectors had an opportunity to form nearly complete
general collections, many likewise collected shades, perforations, etc.
Majority of serious collectors, besides the general collection, had a spec-
talised collection of Russia, hichb-tbey valued and loved better than the
rest.

44 5

Stamps were collected mint, cancelled, singles, pairs, blocks, on
cover, etc. To the stamps of Russia were added; Poland (One stamp and
five stamped envelopes), Finland (up to 1917-a part of the Russian Em-
pire), Russian Levant, Russian Post in China and the Island of Crete.
Besides the regular issues of the Empire, stamps and stamped envelopes
of the local posts were likewise collected; sucB as the famous isPues
of Wenden (liflandia Gubeania) and the Zemstvo Posts5

I knew quite a few collectors of revenue stamps and these men had
large and important collections in this seldom touched field, although
a most interesting one.

Almost from the very beginning of the 1st. World War there appeared
not only the known semi-osbtal or charity issues but many that were not
postal issues at all, such as aiding Red Cross, various organizations
which helped wounded, invalids V widows and orphans of fallen fighters,
union of towns, Zemstvo union, also propaganda stamps such as the War
Ilan of 1916, War toan for Freedom of 1917. Many towns isued series
of stamps benefitting their own organizations and movements.

Collectors did not fail to respond and many collected these items
which although not postal or fiscal, nevertheless reflected the epoch
of the life of Russia. The War of 1914 was but a stumulus for collect-
ions of such type, and collectors begun to search and include into their
collections such material issued prior to 1914. Many found and enriched
their albums with old issues from 1870's and years that followed.

The same thing occurred in other lands. Ftr instance, ii France,
Italy, Switzerland and other countries there appeared special catalogues
and albums for such stamps, separate ones for each land.

In France was organized in 1913 an association for collecting non-
postal stamps, or as they were called "vignettes" (vinietki). This group
exists to-day and is composed of several hundred members, among whom are
many Russian collectors who collect mainly Russian items. These "vinietki"
mere in their time avidly collected along side of postal, semstvo and
revenue issues. All of these "vinietki" were entered in the specialized
collections of Russia. With the creation of the Soviet Government and
the beginning of Civil War, postal issues begun to pour as if from the
horn of plenty.

Commanders of tho White Armies, i.e. the generals began to issue
stamps on the territories held by their forces, for example-

Stamps of Den Oblast (Region)
Stanps of Kuban Oblast (Region)
Stamps of South Russia under General Denikin
Stamps of Crimea under General Wrangel
Also after evacuation, in the camps of Turkey and several
Balkan countries.

During the Civil War, new sovereignities were formed, existing
sometimes but a short time, others existed up to the Second World War.

6 44

To this number belongs:-Ukraine, Caucusus (Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Mountain Rep., Georgia, Trenecaucasian Rep., and British Occupation of
Batum) and Far East: such as Far Eastern Republic, Nicolaevak on Amur,
Priamur Zemski Krai. After the occupation of these areas by the Boviets,
they issued postal eamisioei in Blagoveshensk an Amur, Chita and Vladi-
vostock, where these stamps were in use until 1924, afterwards they were
supplanted by the stamps of U. S. S. R.

During the Civil War of 1919-20 Admiral Kolchak, ether generals and
the Czechoslovak Legion issued stamps in Siberia. The stamps of the
Czechoslovak Legion are debatable and many collectors consider them as
fantastic issues, despite the fact that many important publishers such
as Yvert & Tellier list them in their catalogues.

Green or Zelenaya Army6 controlling for a shtrt time Sotchinsk
Region issued its own postal and fiscal stamps which are not listed in
any of the catalogues.

After the signing of the treaty of the Brest-Litovsk the following
governments came into beings Poland, Lithuania, Central Lithuania (Litwa
Srodkowa), LItvia, Estonia, Finland, Karelia, and North Ingermanland.

Several of these governments, formed on the territory of the former
Russian Empire existed until 1941 and had many cstal emissions. Of these
only Finland and Poland eadt to-day, and although Poland is ncw in the
orbit cf Soviet influence, she still retains her rights to issue her own
original stamps.

As fcr Ukraine, where the *ivil War raged with fierce severity, the
governments changed many times each one issuing its own stamps. In the
beginning Ukraine was occupied by German forces, which were followed by
Red Armies, White Armies, then for a brief time Ukraine was under the
rule cf Hetman Skoropadsky (under German protectorate). After his fall,
Petlura gained control of a portion of Ukraine. In the Austrian part of
Ukraine the Western Ukraine Peoples Republic was formed, existing only
for several weeks. Capital of this Republic was the city of Lvov. This
"government" also succeeded in issuing several series of stamps (over-
prints on Austrian and Bosnian stamps).

All in all, each government issued its own stamps either by ever.
printing supplies of pre-revolutionary stamps with the Ukrainian trident
or issuing stamps with its own original designs.

I shall now return to the old pre-revelutionary times and say a few
words about the stamps of various local posts.

The oldest Russian stamp was the local one, issued several weeks
before the first regular Imperial stamp, the 10 kop. per lot (imperforate),
This famous Tiflis stamp was issued at the end of 1857 for the use of local
post of the city of Tiflis and suburbs. It was discovered oomparatevely
recently, 15 years before the Secnd World War.

04

Collectors living abroad first learned of the existence of this
stamp from the article by V. Agapeev in Rossika Journal #3, October,
1930. This stamp is extremely rare and there are only several copies
in existence.

In 1862 Wenden district of the Lifland Gubernia organized a lncal
pmst far communication with villages, settlements and Wenden, the dist-
rict seat, and issued special stamps for use as additional postage in
payment for delivery of letters to the town of Wenden. This post func-
tf1ned for a long time, until 1903.

After the issuance of the decree of 1864 establishing Zemstvo self
governments, many Zemstvos organized Iccal Zemstvo posts of similar char-
acter to that of the Wenden district, i.e. establishing service to the
most distant villages.

Schlusselburg district of St. Petersburg Gubernia was the first to
organize its pest, and in 3865 issued a special Zemstvo stamp. Many
others followed, ,rganizing their local posts and many of these had their
ewn stamps of distinctive design.

The Zemstvo post became the extension cf the Imperial pmst and
connected the most distant villages and settlement with the outside
wfrld, and established a regular postal communications with the dist-
rict towns, where the mail was transferred to the regular post. In
all, Zemstvos with their own marks of prepayment of postage, establish-
ed service in 164 districts of 33 gubernias.

In same districts post functioned more or less during a brief space
of time, in others it existed until 1917 and in several districts or
yeads it lasted until 1920. During the life of Zemstvo post (1865-1920)
nearly 2,500 various stamps were issued, not counting varieties. Entires
were issued in smaller quantities and in a smaller number of districts.

Generally, the Zemstvo stamps were printed in local establishments
by typaraphy, and the designs were executed by local artists and often
reflected local folklore. They were issued nearly always in small quant-
tities, thus all the Zematvo stamps are scarce, while many first issues
are often quite unique or extremely rare, of many of these only several
copies are known to exist*

This field of philately interested greatly our Russian collectors
and several of them formed extremely large and complete collections,
receiving world renown.

To the l&cal signs of prepayment of postage we must add stamps and
entire of the town posts of Finnish Helsingfors and Tammerfore. These
stamps were in use fron 1866 to 1892. Besides these, in 90's appeared
a whole group of Finnish Steamship Companies which delivered mail to
Baltic ports and some of these issued their own stamps. These companies
which had their- own signa of postal prepayment numbered around a dczen,

8 44

Majority ef these stamps were in use for only a brief time, the
number of issued stamps was sll and the stamps interested very few
collectors. Thus they are extremely rare, and used on covers are as
rare as the issues of the Zemstro Post.

To the stamps of the local post we mst add the first issues of the
stamps of Russian Levant, used by the Russian Company of Trade and Navi-
gation (P. 0. u. T.) to whom Rusdian Government gave the exclusive
right to organize postal operations between Russian and foreign ports of
Black and the Mediteranean Sea.

The main office of the Company was located in Odessa, where special
stamps were sold for franking letters, newspapers and packages, trans-
mission of which P. 0. u. T. took upon itself.

Alexandriiakeye Steaaship Agency (Russian Stock Company) in Egypt
had likewise in 1886 its own post and its own stamps, with Russian ins-
cription. Vienna Journal *Die Postmarke" reported the existence of this
post in 1930, (See page 176 of the journal).

During the First iarld War (1914-1918) when Poland was occupied by
German armies, several Polish towns had for a short time their own local
Dosts) these tgwns were Warsaw, Presevors, Sosnbvitsi, Zarki and Zaverie.
These town posts issued their own distinctive stamps.

Besides this, many Polish towns and localities, after the defeat and
retreat of the German forces, verprinted occupation stamps then in use
(Russiche Polen) with a new overprint and a Polish Eagle, the overprint
being "Poosta Polaka*" Majority of these overprints bad a very speculative
character, although nany of them were sold in local post offices and had
a local use.

As one may see fria the presented field of stamp collecting which can
be added to Russian phNlately, the scope is extremely wide and very few
collections include all that belongs to this sphere.

In order to work out, select and limit ones collection, I will include
below a list of countries, regions and territories which relate from my
own point of view to the field of Russian philately. I shall limit this
list and shall not include countries which are now under the Soviet influ-
enc&, as this would include nearly all countries of Eastern Europe.

The list is composed mainly from the scope of my collection and the
philatelic library at my disposal

Thus I ask the collectors and readers of "Roseika" who can add to my
list, to communicate either with the editors of this journals or me
personally.

In the next article I shall list the nations and territories which
issued stamps during and after the Seond World War (1939-1945)

44 9

List )f countries and territories pertaining to Russia and being
divisions of collecting Imperial or gover-nment postal, revenue and
postal stationery issues, as well as stamps and entire of various
localities,

Signs of Postal Payment
l-First Period. Imperial Russia.

a*.eampless (Marques Postales) from, second half of 18th. century
to 3858.
b-Postal stationery (1845-1917)
c-Postage stamps (1858-1917)
d-Jelegraph stamps.St. P. 1866)
"e-Service stamps (For the benefit of the postmen) (1909-11)
f-Local stamps
1-Stamps and postal stationery of the Zemstvo post.
2-Stamps of the district post (Wenden Yezd, Lifland Gubernia)
3-Stamp of Tiflis tom post
4-Stamps of Helsingfors City Post and Tammerfors locals.
5-Stamps of Private Steamship Companies in Finland.
g-Russian Post in Turkey (Levant)stamps and postal stationery.
h-Russian Post in China-stamps and postal stationery.
i-Russian Post in Crete-stamps
j-Kingdom of Poland (1 stamp and 5 stamped envelopes)
k-Grand Duchy of Finland-stamps and postal stationery.
2-Secand Period R. S. F. S. R. and Civil War (1918-23)

a-Stamps and Postal Stationery of R. S. F. S. R. (1918-23)
b-Don blast (Ataans Kaledin and Krasnov) (1918)
b-Don Provisional Government (1918)
c-Kuban Oblast (Generals Alexeiev and KorailT .)
Kuban Krai (Region) Government (1918-20)
d-Crimea (General Sulkevich and Baron Wrangel)
Crimean Krai (Region) Government (1918-20)
e-Chief Cmmand of Sou h Russia (General Denlkin and
Baron Wrangel (1919- 0)
f-Post of Russian Army in Conetantinopole (General Wrangel) (1920-21)
g-North and North West Oblast
1-North Army (General Muller-Fantastic Issue)
2-Special Corps of North Army (General Udenich) (1919)
3-North West Army (General Wandam in Pskov) (1919)
h-We stern Oblast
1-Western Army (General Bermodt-Avalov in Mitava) (1919)
2-Special detachment of White Russian Corps. (General Bulak-
Balakhovich-Fantastic Issue) (1920)
i-Siberian Government (Admiral Kolobak) (1919-20)
j-Far East
1-Government of Trans-Baikal Oblast (Ataman Semenov) (1919)
2-Peoples Revolutionary Committee in city of Blagoveschensk
on Amur. (Amur Oblast) (1920)
3-Pri-Amur Provisional Government (City cf Nicolaevsk cn
Amur) (1921-22)

10 4

Z..-Far Ear. Lc3.'. '192%- 21.'
5-Issuo of ;ita Govcrnmont '1921)
6-Prianur Zomsto Krai (Government cf General Diedrichs)
7-Far Eastern Ohlast Rovolutionary Ccmmittoo-R. S. F. S. R.
K-Central Asia
1-Bukhare Pooples Republic local"pcst. (1924) (Very little
is known by eo about these stamps). It is kncwn only
that these stamps woro issued by the government of this
republic prior to eetdblishment of the post by U. S. S. R.
2JTurkestan (fantastic overprints ch Ruaaion stamps. These
woro never in circulation.)
lULocal issues of various towns and localities during the period
of 1920-22. During this period of inflation, Soviet Government
issued a decree by which renluing of 1909-1918 stamps from
"kotpks" to "rubles" o.n orIittod. Thus many postal towns and
loalities overprinted thso stamps with the word "'pd6" or
"drib-" in English transition. Majority of these overprints were
made by use of a handstimrT, rarer by a metal stamp, and in several
localitios postmrstors morcly wrote on the stamps by hand, These
stamps are interesting when tied to envelopes or money orders.

Total number of tovms and localities overprinting stamps
during this period is not known. Soviet catalogue for 1927
calcUilaed that thero woro 66, in my own colle-ticn thoro is a
lrgo n.ber of such overprints not mentioned in this cctalofuo.
ba.t appoar-ing tc be without doubt as genuine overprints, as they
worof ., solved by me on letters addressed to me and to my friends
(nor; Ap'aiatolic rmil). Thus the number of these stamps vas
considerably larger.
m-Uk_ -alIne
1-Ukraine Peoples republic (Central Rada) (t2y 1918)
2-Ukraine Derzjavn or State (Hetman Skcropadski) (oct. 1918)
Kiev dkrug Pcltava Ckrug
Kharkov Ckrug Odessa Ckrug
Eka terinoaslv Ckrug Fodolia Ckrug
3-Ukraine Derzjav. (Petlura)
,--One In'i-.sible Fussic (General Denlkin) 4-iariupol-(1919)
5-k-lrIn.xin Soviet Socialistic Republic (Kharkov,
Kicv. Sviatoshni).
n-Kavkaz or 6auca sus
.1-aoibaijian Democratic Republic (Government of lussnvat)
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialistic Republic,
2-Donceratic Republic of Armenia (Datnaki)
Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic
3-Georgian Democratic Republic
Georgian Soviet Socalistic Republic
4-Transcaucasian Federated Republics.
5-Bri.tish Occupation of Batum
6lGreen .rmy (Sochi).

t-'hird Feriod (1924 -1941)
Stamps and Postal Stationery of-
a-U. S. S. R. d-Centrol fLthuania
b-Poland e-Estonia
c-Lithuania f-Ictvia
Stamps ofo-
g-Tannu-4ouvca hflongolia
44 1U

It is- with great. pride'and pleasure that we mark this year as the
25th. Jubilee of the founding of the Society by Mr. E. Archangelsky, and
as the 32nd. year of his literary career in the field of philaFe.y. It is
fitting that we present an article from his still prolific pen in this issues
and a brief .biography of hisa for the -benefit of those members who may not
be acquainted with the story of his-life.

He was born on October 27p 1881, in Radzivilov, Volynia gubern.a,
Russia, and two years -later..he was'taken to Plotak, Polish Kingdom, where
his family settled. 'At Vthe age of aeen7ho cont-rated the philatelic disease
from his instructbor and bidztt a smaAtiX' action( At the ago of 13 he began
to collect British Colohiesy and in his 7th0 year of gymnasia he tu'irned to
the stamps cf Russia 'In' 1899 he already had a mint copy of #1 and the
inverted background 2 kop. green of 1883.

He entered Warsaw UJiversity but had to stop because of illness, and
in 1902 entered'military service, After a period of stiuy at the military
school he became an officer.

During the war years of 1900-1919 he did not do much stamp collecting,
and in 1910-19 he served as a war correspondent for two war journals, In
.1920, in Kerch, he bought a collection of Russian stamps at an auction,
among which he found two rarities, pair of 3 kop. imperf 1886 and 3.5C
rubles 1884 on vertically lAid paper. This collection, however was stolen
during the evacuation of SoeaStopol. After evacuation from Sevastopol to
Gonstantinopole he went to Bulgaria, and in 1921 he settled in Jugoslavia,
ill from war wounds.

In Jugoslavia he began to collect again, choosing stamps of Russia,
Jugoslavia and Bulgari and began to write philatelic articles in various
journals such as "KOL=KTCR" in Kranj, "Filatelija" in Zagreb, "Stamp
Collecting" and "Gibbons Monthly" in England,, "L'changiste Universelle"
in France, etc. At this time he began to collect the airpost stamps of
the world.

In 1924 he laid plans for an organization of Russian philatelists
abroad, and in 1020 this wqa accomplished with the help of his friends
Balabenko, Chebotkevich', Vtkoavdy, Sbkolov, Buchalov, Prigara, Rachmanov,
Schmidt. Mr. Archangelsky carved as the head of Rossika, or Russian
Society of Philatelists An Jugoslavia and in a brief.time many philatelists
joined the organization. At the end of 1940 Rossika had more than 6CO
members.

From 1929 to 1941 he wrote.many articles on Russia and airpost in
"Sammler Woche, "Aero-Field", "Stamps* and from 1947 "Aero-Philatelic News",
"Constellation"', also corrected Sanabria Catalogue of 1940, 41.

In 1944 he was placqdin..a concentration camp and all his possessions
were confiscated, inc3xdig c.Js variablee stamp collectiQon and his phila-
telic library.

12 44

S Recently, after joining the British Society of Russian Philatelists
he contributed tc the journal of that organization. Between 1922-1954
he has written hundreds of philatolic articles and under his editorship
his journal Rossika had won four medals at major exhibitions. At present
be is working on a philatelic dioioary in four languages: English, French,
German and Russian.

We salute Mr. Archangelsky for his great services in the past, and
for his untiring efforts along with A. Chebotkevitch and A. Iavrov in
reviving the society and the journal

Charity or Semi-Postal Issues of Imperial
and Soviet Russia

by R. Sklarevski
Part I-Imperial RUssiaiStamps

Ist. Charity stamps of Russia were issued in 1905 for the purpose of
raising funds for "Orphand of soldiers kAlled in the Russo-Japanes War*.
This find was administered by the "Imperial Womens Patriotic Society", which
received 3k. from the sale of each stamp of this issue. Prigara states in
his catalogue that it was a private issue.

SThey were designed by E. Frank and printed on ordinary, unwatermarked,
white paper and issued with various perforations, some of which are quite
scarce*

After studying the cancellations in our possession we found the
earliest date of usage was March 29, 1905 (Kiev) on 10 kop. #4. We
would welcome earlier dates of usee

Quantities issued of this issue are not known.

The "postal Value" of each stcmp is shown at the top, while the
"UOelling price' may be seen in the ribbons above the center design. The
"selling price" was 3 kop. over the postal value.

#1-3 kop. red, brown and greon-Monument to Admiral Kornilov in
Sevastopol (Scott #Bl)
#2-5 kop. lilac, violet and straweMonument to Minin and Pozharski in
Mosccw-(Scott # B2)
#3-7 kop. light blue, dark blue and pink-Monument to Peter the Great
in St. Petersburg (Soott #P3)
#4-10 kop. dark blue, light blue and yealow-The Kremlin and the
Monument to AloxanderlI in Moscow (Scott # B4)

To simplify the listing and to conserve space, perforation varieties
existing a:ce listed in a table form (to which I am partial) and which using
\J "point system", shows relative scarcity of each stamp. It also gives a
number to each perforation variety.

A4 13

Vaues _3 1koj P ljA if j. ll1 Pd3: 10#
2o J 10 #2
3 7 kop. L5 i-- -- ----- -
S- .10 kop^. 2 ---
Tabe -

Evidently the government printing office was very busy at this time
because the perforating machines used on this issue were the ones used in-
frequently on the regular postage stamps.

Stamps overprinted in black (two types of letters used, one smaller
than the other) with single letters of the word ro-br-a.-z-e-tz- 1 on each
stamp are "Specimen". Complete equivalent of word "specimen" on a strip of
eight stamps is undoubtedly rare if exists.

The possible number of varieties of "specimen" stamps is 160 (for two
types of letters), but most likely all of the perforation varieties were not
overprinted "CBRAZETZ"

My collection only contains 17 varieties, and perhaps, the readers
will kindly send me the list of varieties they have in their collection,
giving, value, perforation and the size of the letter, so that a table of
varieties could be compiled in a near future.

The stamps of this issue used on covers are not too common, although
at the time of their issue they probably had a wide use. To show that they
exist thus-we list the following examples from the collection of Dr. G. D.
Salisbury.

l)-Post card from Revel to Zurich dated May 14, 1905-3k. and pair of 7k.
2)-Post Card from Revel to Zurich dated May 14, 1905 and having a
5f 7, and kop. values.
(3).Commercial cover from Moscow to Vienna dated June 15, 1905 and
having a 10 kop. rate

Cancellations-We have seen two types of cancellations used-(a)-regular
circular, and (b)-Warsaw killer. Others probably exist.

Now a few historical remarks about the subject matter shown on these
stamps.

5k. value sbows the monument to Kuama "Sukhorukov" Minin and Prince
Dmitry Pozharsky which was erected under the Kremlin walls in 1818 in the
memory of their freeing of Moscow from the Poles in 1611.

The monument represents a high-spirited citizen of Nijni-Novgorod
calling on his countrymen to rid Russia of Polish invaders, and Prince
Pozharsky listening attentively to his speech (October, 1611). The
sculptor of the monument was I. P. Matros.

34

In 1610 CMscow was occupied by the Second False Dmitry who entered tin
city with Viadis:Laus son of Sigisual, King of Poland, who was olected
to the throne of Russia by boyaras on the condition that he should embrace
the Russian Orthodox religion.

The rule wasn't popular. A great national feeling against the invader,
led K. Minin, a Nijni-Novgorod meorhant to organize an Army, the command
of which was offered to Prince Pozhar*ky. Prince Posharsky's army roin-
forced by arms and money and greatly enlarged by townspeople of the Volga
and North Russia, by Don Cosamfks and strelitzes who flocked to his barn-i?,
ma-rhed to Yaroslavl and then to Moscow, to which they laid a siege, Yicai
Good .Chinese City) was taken by assault. Inhabitants driven to the last
extremity by famine surrendered, and abandoned the country. The memorable
siege continued from August until October 1611.

7 kop.-"On the W7estern corner of Admiralty Square in St. Petersburg is
located the well known colossal equestrian statue of Peter the Great"
(The description of the place when the statue was erected). "It represents
the Emperor riding up a rock, on both sides of which and in front steep
precipices threaten destruction The statue was executed by a French
artist Falconet and the head was modeled from the bust executed by a young
Frenchwoman Mademoisell"Mario Anne Callot, a relative of sculptor, and a
groat friend of the Emperor.
This monument was conceived by Catherine II. It is said that the
bust executed by Mademoiselle Callot bore remarkable resemblance to the
Emperor.

The Emperor is dressed in a typical Russian costume of thet period.
His hand is outsareched and his head is turned towards Neva. The hind
legs of the mount tread on a serpent. The statue gives a remarkable idea
of power and strength.

The huge block of granite which forms the pedestal and weighs 15CC
tons was brought from Lecta, a Finnish village 4 miles from St. Petersburg.
The pedestal consists of two pieces patched together, for when the pedestal
was being chiseled it broke in half.

It is 14 ft. high and the mount is 17 ft. On the two long sides is
chiselled the following inscription in Roman and latin. "To Peter the
Ist., Catherine II. MDCCIXXII,

2nd. Charity Issue-On November 26, 1914 a set of 4 stamps of large format
was issued for the benefit of the "Widows' and Orphan's Fund" which was
organized and administered by the "Imperial Woments Patriotic Union" with
headquarters in St. Petersburg. Prigara states in his catalogue that this
issue was private.

The "postal value" of each stamp is shown in the top corners, while
the "selling value" may be seen at the bottom. Each stamp of this issue
carried a "benefit" surtax of 1 kop.

44 15

These stamps were designed by R Zarrin and printed on unwatiemar.-ke
cha :y paper of d:ife -enct :o. wit.n white gum., and issued perforated 11 #
12j, and 13, in sheets of 50 and 100. Two types of perforations exist,
namely with dull and sharp points.

A few words about perforations is necessary here. This also applies
to the first charity issue.. The table below gives the perforations used
and the dates when they started* Yheso stamps were perforated on the
machines which were infrequently used for regular issues, except those of
13i which became standard in 1909.

From Perf. Most likely these issues were perfo-
1858 i __t [rated on spare time.
1858
1884 13 High Values I Imperforate stamps of this issue
106 -- .igh Values appeared in 1917, after the Russian Revo-
1909 13 Low Values lution, when the controls were very lax.
These imperforate stamps are speculative.

10 kop. is found with a "broken lance" and is found 4 times in a sheet.
"Romeko" catalogue states that it is found only 3 times, while Dr. G. B.
Salisbury-twice in a sheet-#48 and #98.. (We hope to settle this question
and report on it later.)

Stamps overprinted with the word "0 B R A Z E T Z" on each stam in
Russian are found both in blue and bhgak colors and were issued in large
quantities and were used for advertising purposes, as samples. The blue
overprint is scarcer than the black one,

The cancelled stamps of this issue are slightly higher in price than
the mint. Above stamps (except the specimen) are often found on censored
covers, also with oval "rail road" station and bar killer cancellation of
Warsaw. We have these stamps in blAcks and on covers. These stamps on
covers are not scarce and therefore will not be mentioned. In the near
future we expect to give a table of perforation varieties existing on
covers.

#5-1 kop. red brown and dark green on straw paper, pictures Illya
Murometz, a Russian mythical hero. (Scott's # B5)
#6-3 kop, maroon and gray green on pink paper, shows Don Cossak
shaking a Russian girl by hand. (Scottts # B6)
#7-7 kop. dark trown and dark green on buff paper, shows symbolical
figure of Russia, represented by a woman in an old Russian
costume, surrounded by ohildrod. (Scott's # B7)
f8-10 kop, dark blue and brown, shows St. George, the Saint of
Russia slaying a dragon. (Scott's # B8)
k#8aa, bb, and cc-1O kop, with a broken lance, (Perf. 11. 12A-. 13k)

The table of perforations for "specimen" stamps of this and nest issue
is as l4stcd in the "Romeko's catalogue Special des Timbres-Poste de Russio
et des Etats Issus de L'Ancion Empire Russe".

Large pieces of this issue are quite common.

16

No. Value Perf. 11Ir Prf. 12- Perf. 13- Imperf .
--,-- ,- 4-- -.
1 kop. #5 1 4#5a 7-8 4# 5b. -1 .X so,. J .
S 3 kop. #6 1-s #6a 6 .6b 100 X X
7 7 kop. #7 1 #7a 16-s #7b 2 X #7c
8 10 kop. i#8 8-s #8a 10 #8b 20- X #80
10 kop. i8aa I #8bb #'8c 0

Tablo 3

.No. Value Pe!f ..1, Perf. 14 Perf. .
SNo1 op.5e s 14 5 14 i #5S3 10
6 3 kop. |6s1 10 #6S2 10 #6S3.. 40
7 7 kop. #7S1 1 #72 14 #7S3 10 Table 4
8 10 kop. #831 14 #832 14 #8S3 20.
-8 10 kop 0 0 0
Stamps Overprinted "0 B R A Z ET S".

X-Issued Unofficially The second column under perforations is
0-Probably exist the scarcity factor. "I" being the commonest.
s-Shades

Additional Varieties
#5d-#5b imperforate on bottom only. Perf. 133 on the other 3 sides.
The copy in collection of Dr. Salisbury has a marginal inscription
of a part of numeral "2g,
#8f-Forgery-See the description under the 3rd. issue, because #12 was
used to prepare this forgery.

There are probably a number of imperforate copies of the above stamps in
various collections, Here we record cancelled imperfs as found in colloctlon
of Dr, Gregory B, Salisbury. They are in pairs-cancelled-'Potrograd-9-b-16",
and the Post Office # is 24.

3rd. Tssuo-In 1915 (Exact date not known) the stamps of the previous isuie
were r -jl--'d cn white chalky paper, perf. 1f. 12, and 13-, with excption
of 7korp which was issued only perf. 12.e

The reason these stamps were printed on white paper is because of the
difficulty of obtaining dyes from Germany, because of the World War 1.

One of the projects of this issue will be getting the earliest date
of use of each perforation on each value.

It may be stated here that because of rise in postal zates from 7 kop.
to 10 kop, the 7 kop. value became unnecessary and therefore it was issued.
Has any one seen cancelled copies of 7kope. on or off cover.

Quantities issued are unknown*

large pieces of this issue are common. Cancelled stamps are slightly
higher in prico than the mint and are found with the same type of cancellation
as tn3 previous issue. Covers are not scarce and therefore will not be
re corded.
44 17

We have these stamps in singles, blocks of 4 and in mixed franking
with Romanovs and arms types on covers. As far as we know there was
no decree prohibiting the mixing of semi-postals with the regular issues,
Although ael the catalogues list the 7 kop. value perf. 124 only,
the IIt perforation gauge was also used to perforate sheets of the 7 kop.
value. For some unknown reason while the regular stamp is perf. 124, the
specimen is perforated 11.

Forgeries:
Because of 10 kop. (8) value was worth more than most values of this
set, the forgers took advantage of that knowledge and supposedly dyed the
10 kop. (#12) of the thirty issue and sold them as 10 kop. of the 2nd.
issue. The paper of the counterfeits is of much darker blue than the
original #8 and the center has a bluish tint instead of brown. I have 10
kop. perf. 114 treated thus.
If the full sheets were dyed thus, the broken lance variety exists
too. It is not known at this time whether forgeries in perforations 12*
and 13f exist.

lNo Value .* Perf. i. Perf l1 Perf. 3 Impert
S kop. 99 1 39b !1 #9c l 9 X
koAa- 1 6b #1. 4 # 10dI
11 7kop. #1 ... 16 -- -
12 10 ko i1 1 #12c 1 #12d
10 op 2bb #12co _

Tablo 5
.No Value perf..i f Perf 12*- Perft. .
9 1 ^o #9S81 7 #982 7 #9S3 7
10 3 kq #,101S 7 #10S2 7 # 10S3 13
11 7 iP i -4Q --- -- --
12 10 kop. #1281 10 #1232 10 # 1233 1
12 k op. 0 0
Sta.mp.s overp'inted 10 B R A Z E T S6
Table 6
X-Unofficial O-May exist
Addition l varioieti

#9e- Horizontal pair, perf, 13+, imperf. in between-the pair that I
have seen was cancelled lenzsi, ifl. Gubernia,
#lOe-Vertical pair perforated 13i, imperf. in between, seen in collect-
ion of Dr. G. B. Salisbury.
Before writing finis to the semi-postal issues of Czarist Russia
it will be well to mention the 3 kop. carmine and gray, on orange paper.
(Formerly Scott's #B13). This stamp is an absolute forgery and first
appeared in 1919 in Paris,

18 44

It was originally sold as a rarity at "20,00 a stamp, but gradually
the price went down and down aWd at one time one could purchase a copy
at 40 cents each. The stamp exists perforated 122 and 13+- and also
overprinted "Cbrazets", perf. 13je Some of the catalogues still list
this stamp.

The stamp was prepared by dyeing 3 kop. carmine and gray # 10 with
orange dye.

Before going into description of various official and semi-official
postal stationery and private labels issued for charity purposes we would
like to mention that the 2nd. and 3rd. charity issues, were found in
various quantities in many post offices of Russia after the Revolution of
1917. Post Office officials of some localities took advantage of these
stocks and after overprinting them used them for postage.

Many localities used them without overprints at different rates, and
some may be found with "mute" oancelltions. See Dr. Salisbury's articles
"Mute Cancellations of World War I" in Journal of B.S. R. P.

Speculators bought huge blocks of those stamps and shipped them abroad,
where for a long time they were used as a bait for penny approvals and
Dackets.

Soviet Philatelic Asso. had large stocks of these issues and peddled
them for a long time,

In 1925 to reduce stocks of these stamps "U. S. S. R. w overprinted
numbers 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 'Upolnomocheni po Filatelii eo Bonam.
Zagranichenii Obmen", meaning Officials for Philately & Money. Foreign
Exchanger typographically in black

They are listed on Page 133 of the "Soviet Catalogue" for 1948 in
Russian and in Michel catalogue as Numbers Xa to Xg.

Although the catalogue gives a complete listing of various overprints
and errors, it doesn't go into perforation varieties, missing letters, etc.
Therefore we are holding this list until more research can be made. One
of the most interesting phases of their use is on covers, and the cancel-
lation that was used, both on the stamps and on the sheets of the letter
enclosed in the cover.

1, 3 and 7 kop. values of the 2nd. issue and 1, 3 and 10 kop. values
of the 3rd. issue were overprinted with Armenian Monogram and used as
ordinary postage stamps. See Scottts Nos. 255 to 265.

Issue of Nikolaevsk-on-Amur under Japanese Military Occupation-For
the needs of the postal communication of Nikolaevsk-on-Amur in 1921
overprinted a number of Russian stamps for use of the "Provisional Govern-
menc of Priamur. Among those overprinted were 29 copies of No. 6 (Scott's
Siberia #64). For further partioulare see the "Issues of Russia in Asia"
by S. A. Pappadopulo.

Both the Armenian and Siberian stamps mentioned above have been
counterfeited.
to be continued
44 19

RUSSIAN AMERICA

Postal Ristory of a Forgotten Era.

by Dr. Gregory B. Salisbury.

When the Yakutsk cossaakq Semeyon Dezhnev discovered in 1648 the
"impassable cape", or the tip of Asia, the islands in the Bering
Straight, and the western tip of America, he had unknowingly made a
great geographic find. His report written down and signed was put away
among the stacks of official papers in the office at Yakutsk, to gather
dust for almost a eentury, until 1736. The voevode of Yakutsk was too
busy in the blockhouse town or ostrog wito the handful )f Muscovite
soldiers, and their troublomtking matchlocks, and the tiths, or foreign
soldiers, prisoners of war shipped out from Moscow. Fur dealing, graft,
exploitation of native and theft of their women, caused the voevode to
ignore the report, ironically many years later, in Russian America, the
same reasons caused a massacre in 1802, in Sitka, for the warlike Tlingits,
butchered the Russian traders and settlers, after a theft of their wives
and daughters. In 1730 Gvozdov visited the shores of what is now called
Alaska.

Russian America was discovered, charted and claimed officially by
Captain Alexei Chirlkov, associate ov Vitus Bering. Both sailed on the
two ships "St. Peter" and 0St. Paul", studying the Bering Sea, and
approached the shores of Aladka. Bering did not go further, but
captain Chirikov, commander of "St. Oaul" sailed along the southern
shores as far as Sitka. Thus, while the discovery of the straights in
1728 belongs to Boring, the honor of finding and charting the coastline
of Alaska belongs to Captain Chirikov, on July 15th.

A Russian trading company was organized for operation in Alaska as
early as 1781, according to George B. Sloane, however the records show
that Emperor Paul I, at the instigation of the Siberian trader Shelekhov,
established in 1799 the RuasianmAmerican Fur Company, renting to the daid
company all of Russian Amorica, with Siberian trader Baranov, as the head
of the enterprise, but receiving orders from the main office in St. Peters-
burg. This company absorbed another, already in operation, thus forming
one giant private ompiro covering Russian America, Aleutian and Kurilov
Islands, Bering Sea and the Asiatic Coast. It controlled Aleutians,
Eskimos, Indians, and Russian traders, as well as the Russian settlers
who established colonies in 1784 at Three Saints, on the Kodiak Island.
The company was ordered to take care for all of those to organize
schools, hospital care and proper food supply, as well as communications.
Heads of various colonies woro invariably naval officers, in fact, the
last head or Glavni Pravitol was Captain of the First rank, Knias (count)
D. P. Maksutov, appointed to the chief post on December 2, 1863.

The death of Baranov in 1819 started the decline in the prosperity
of Russian America, British and American traders started to compete with
the Russians for the fir trnde, and in 1821 Russian Government closed
the coast to the competing traders, north of 54 dog, lattitudo. This
was however changed in 1824, allowing the Americans old privileges, and
in 1825, British wore likowise pormittod above the 54 dog. attitude,

21 44

Soon the Russian business oporaticns bocamo unprofitable, the Empiro was 1^
threatened with a war with England, and Russian Amorica faced the probabiI
lity of seizure by the British. The Monroe Doctrino, written in 1823 by
tho Secretary of Stato, J. Q. dams, likewise throatenod the activities
of the Russians in this homisphoro. Ono must not think of Russian lands
and claims being only limited to Alaska. Russians had pushed settlomonts
into california, guided by a plan to control the whole Pacific Ccoan.
Spanish California was dooply penetrated, and tho Pacific coastal waters
wore controlled down to 51st. parallel Russian action, if it had not
boon impeded by the Monroo Doctrino, could have prevented the expansion
of this nation beyond the Rocky IVountains. Russians remained in Salifor-
nia until 1839, and then they sold their last fort to Col. John Suttor, a
Swiss. The name of the Russian fort was Fort Ross, probably Russ. Russian
lines of penetration wore spread very thinnly. They entered such rivers as
ITkon, and Kushkokwin, but only to trade in furs and hair seal pelts, as
well as beavers. They did go as far as one quarter of the course of Yukon,
establishing the fort of Nu2ato, but hero, as well as elsewhere they run into t
trouble, being massacred for their habit of appropriating the native Indian
women. Thus, threatened on rll sides by the native, the British, the Monroe
Doctrine, backed by the British and the Spanish, plans were laid at
St. Potorsbourg to sell Russian America to the United States.

On March 30th., 1867 an agoomont was signed by the Russian Ambassa-
dor and Secrotary of the State William Seward, for $7,200,000, in spite
of opposition from the Russian American Fur Company who realized the
inmenso wealth and importance of the land, and from the American Congress
who deemed the land worthless and only reluctantly voted for the project*
The transfer of the land, now calold Alaska, meaning "Groat land" in the
native tongue, was carried out on Octobor 18-30, 1867, and the Andreevski
flag of Russia was lowered to be replaced by the Stars and Stripes of the
U. S. Tho last "pravitol" of Russian America loft for San Francisco, whore
he boarded a train for Now Yorkp and returned to Russia via Liverpool.

Ralph A. Miller, in his sorializod study of Alaska Postal History,
states that the official transfer was "carried out with clockwork precision
in a woll-concolvod plan. Mll branches of the service wore represented.
Each, it can now be rovcalode remained to take up special assignments.*
Ho describes in the serial, published by the Te stern Stamp Collector, the
arrival of the Coast Guard ship, the U. S. R. C. "Lincoln" at Sitka, thI
U. S. S. "Jmamestown" and U. S. S. "Rosaka", the matter carrying a Marine
detachment after a tour of duty in Central America, with many yellow fever
casos aboard, which the cold climate of Alaska was to disinfectr Major
L. 0. Friosw, executive, Offieoo of the Chief of Military History, Dept. of
the Army states, "The first troops sent to Alaska wore Battery H, 2nd,
Artillery, and the Company F 9th. Infantry* They left San Franciscc on
the steamer "John L. Stovena on Sept. 25, 1867 and anchored at Now
Archangel (Sitka) on October 10, but were retained abhrcd ship until the
arrival of the Commissioners of Transfer on the 18the They participated in
the transfer ceremony, but the port of Sitka was not actually established
until the 29th." Lt. ol0. R. W. Edwards, Head, Historical Branch G3,
indicates from the located records that U. S. S. "Osipeoa, also loft San
Francisco for Sitka, eamrying the official delegation and a 2n2. U. S.
Marine Detachment. Admiral J. B. Hoffornan, Director of Naval History
tells that "Ossipoeo carried the Sommissioners, Major'feneral Rousseau,

44 21

U. S. A. Captains KonhullU anu Peotchourcff of the Russian INavy, Mr.
Dodgo, Collector of the Port of itka, ail others.

On October 18th. mare than a 1,000 officers and men assaeblod for
the transfer. Quickly all the streets and places wore renamed, four other
forts wero sat up and garrisonod, the Navy chartered four cargo vessels
and allowed a warship to ovncuetedthe Russian nationals. lMrines set up
a ship and shore station, the latter remaining until 1912. As Alaska
becaeo a customs district, according to Miller, and not a territory, the
Revenue Cutler Survice of the Treasury Department tock in the local
responsibility.

James S. Couch, in his"Postal History of Alsska", serialized in the
Amneican Pht'Latelist states that the Russians r-aintained no postal system
in Alasa nA communications T1otoen the hussians on duty in the terri-
tory and tho homeland was cn.ried on via the dispatch cases transported
by Rlsian supply ships. If thero were any nornRussiana who could xead
and writo anc' who wantel tc carry on business with the outside vwosld hoyy
ha.d to arrainge it on a purely personal basis, involving the coopera':ion
of individual do team Irivers, ship captains, sailors and such travelers
as infrequently came alone: ."

"In some more populous southeastern Alaska towns such as Sitka,
Russian residents dispatched ndr received both business and personal
mail; through the Russian commander of the community. There was no post
office as we know it. Fees were charged and covers were pon-eancelled.
The first Russian adhesive stamps wre issued in 1857, but it is our
understanding that few, if nny, of those first issues wore used on mail
destined for Aleska. However it is possible that some stamped covers
might have come out of Ilussic to Alaska during the last ten years of
Russian ownership. We have yet to see the first one".

S. V. Prig rigara, vitinr i; #3 of Roseika Journal modifies this
concept by stating that although there is no mention of the regular
government post, in the $.ocunonta it is known that all the directives
from St. Potorsbourg vont to Russian America by post, vhich delivered
the correspondence. Aloteorro-ondence, as roll as newspapers and journals
from Russia front To SaA Francisco or Victoria, every three months, From
this point it was taken to t,J island of Sitka, to Nou Archangelsk
residence of Pravitol of the Russian colonies, on freighters or other
voosols from San Francisco, or on the company ships sent to.Victoris.

We must assume that a private post did exist and that it carried
letters and parcels to and from the ships, in Eussian America This
private post existed at a much later date, as well, when Alaska became
a company possosion again, under the U. S. soveroignity, hobevor this
point will be discussed later. It will suffice to say at this time that
in the Postal*tolegraph journal of 1903, titled "Difficult Delivery of
Lail in Alaska", the article described the fact that after the last stearor
left in the beginning of Nrvember, the goldminers vaere isolated for six
months without regular communication with the outside world. In vicV; of
this, the minors and the comn:any officials sent local mailman, of private
post, in January, from the coast to the gold fields. He could not take

22 44

with him regular mail bags Letters were written on silk paper, wero
sown in the lining of the mailman7s clothing, dressod in tno oskimo
fashion, and supplied with food, rifle and matches. The trip was of 2,600
kilometers, and one of the hardships was the crossing of fast flowing
rivers, many of which did not freoee up. Often the clothes had to be
thrown across the stream, and the icy waters conquered by the hardy
swimmer. Each letter horevor repaid for this hazzard, as the mailman
received 20 roubles for each letter, and in 1903, the mailman completing
two such trips netted $4,000.

Russian Imperial Post is reported to have functioned, according to
George B. Sloano ("Stamps"eMay 17, 1952) up to 1867 in at least throe
places, New Archangol (Sitka), Michaelovsky (St. Michael) and at a point
later the site of Sorarde Various type of mail wore transported across
Ganada, and then sent out to their destination, from there.

Payment for the mail to come out of Russian America, during the control
of the Russian American Fur Company was made in seal leather currency which
it was my privilogo to soo recently, in the collection of Dr. L, S.
Snogiroff of Boston. Those wero called "marki", the singular being markk"
or stamp, It is my first belief that these issues of currency were like-
wise important in the function of the local post, as well as in the pur-
chase of goods and payment for services rendered. I cannot picture
eskimos accepting little bits of saal leather with unknown printing, as
payment for seals, furs, whalebone, etc. M. I. Vavilov writing in in the
"Russkaya Scarina" (Russian Past), 1886, pp. 595, 609, states that the
Russian American Fur Company manufactured leather money in St. Potersbourg,
giving the pieces definite colors, and shape, and stamped same with differ-
ent value, calling those bits of currency "Colonial Stamps" (Koloniclnii
Marki). Those stamps wero of rectangular shape, and decreased in size in
proportion to the decrease in the denomination. Those leather stamps were
changed by the company into gold and silver dollars in Russian colonies
up to 1868, and in Russia it was changed into silver currency in 1833.
According to Prigara it was necessary to multiply one Russian rouble by
seven and to divide by two, thus a rouble in Russia was 3 roubles 50 kop.
in colonial currency,

The Russian American manic that I was privileged to see and study was
a 50 kop. value, made in 1820's. On one side was the official stamp
printed on the seal leather (also made out of otter skin) of tho company.
VO.thin a double linod oval enclosure was the two headed eagle and crown
of the Empire, encircled by the legend: Under Ris Highost Name: Greatest
Protection (the last two words abbreviated). Under the eagle, in throo
lines was: seal of tho Russian American Company. Beneath the two lined
oval seal was the value of the Marka. On the reverse side was printed
MLRKA V AMERIKE or Stamp in America, and value in three lines, in liglt
print, on a dark field of oval formed by many concentric lines. The
lower portion of the ovaly has a blank space with "No." printed and the
number of the stamp rAt1Arnr in, in longhand. Below this was a dark,
narrow rectangle. The one in possession of Dr. Snegiroff was done in two
printings. The number assigned by longhand, to be later accounted for
and taken back to St. Petorsbourg for destruction.

44 23

These stamps are exceedingly rare. I know of only four. One, in
posseesin of Chase National Dank, N. Y. was pictured in N. Y. Herald
Tribune on Nov. 20, 1937t and this picture and the accompanying translation
By G. IM. Shenits, was sent to the Rossika Journal, and was featured there
in No. 30. This mark was printed in black on light yellow seal leather,
2ix3 inches in sizo. Mr. Shonitz doubted that the marka was made out of
seal leather or skin, and a debate followed in No. 34. He held the mark
in his hand and inspected it closely, so did I, of course not that one but
Dr. Snogireff's markat and I am quite convinced that it was printed on
animal skin. Incidentally the value of the Chase National Bank mark was
1 rouble. Russian museum has another one, value of 10 kop., while the one
in possession of Vladimir Ushkoff of Park has another, value not disclossed.
Thin o(ari disputed Shenitzts stand asserting that it was printed on skin,
and added that he not only had such a marks, but it i'as he who sold the one
ctich Chase National Bank exhibited. Ushkov likewise stated that in the
newspaper "Vozrczhdenio" (Robirth) of June 26, 1931 there was an article
by V. Abdank-Kossovskyp in which the author listed the Colonial Stamps.

25 roublos, gray, rectangle
10 roublosp rod, rectangle
5 roubloes blue, rectangle
1 rouble, yellow, rectangle
50 kop., yellow rectangle, with two clipped corners
25 kop., yellow, ectanglo, with four clipped corners
10 kop., yellow, square, with holes punched in each one
of the four corners.

According to James S. Couch, Russians did not object to the opening
of the U. S, post office throe months before the transfer, and he offers
that as an implication that had Russia been maintaining a post office at
that time she would have insisted upon receiving all the revenue up to
the last minute. Although. as Ralph A. Miller states, the semi-official
sources claim that on Jtly 33, 1867 the Postmaster at San Francisco was
authorized to arrange for special mail service to Sitka, and the first trip
under this order was made by steamer "John L, Stevens". Philatelic
research supports Mr. iMllerls theory that the Sitka post office was e'st-
ablishod in early November. July 23, 1867 is widely quoted as the day the
now U. S. post office was opened at Sitka, R. A. (Russian America) and it
is so listed on page 998, Record Group 28. The first postmaster was John H.
Kingeod who served until Fob. 15, 1869. Mr. Miller brings out five facts:
"Post Office authorization: Appointment of a postmaster; time lag ensuing
-before the No. 1 candidatoorocoived his official appointment; post office
established; and the last but not the least, "First Day" when the first
letter mail was postmarked." The second fact according to him, fits Sitka.

H. M. Konwisor, one of the greatest postal historians in the United
States stated that the earliest known Sitka was January 24, 1868, which
roads "Sitka A T ', although an earlier one, with a 3 cent U. S. stamp,
dated Nov. 6 with cover annotation indicating that it was written in 1867,
was in the Colby sale. Records of Sitka, March 25, 1868 are known. Mr.
Miller has boon informed that a cover oeists in California reading
"Sitka, R. 9A Nov. 26, &y 7 .

24 44

G. B. Sloane, writing in *Stamps* describes an oarly cover, pro-
viously reported by W. Mcnlughlin. "This cover bears a 3 c. 1861
postmarked, *Sitkai Adlka T. Nov. 6' in a circle in black, witL a
pencil notation tNof. 18675 on the back of the envelope". This, if
correct shows a cover mailed three weeks after the transfer. The
author likewise describes another cover, from the collection of F. A.
Hcllowbush used from a point in Alaska in November of 1867, "It carries
a 10c., green 1861, postmarkod at San Francisco, Nov. 30, pencil dated
'1867'". At the upper left corner there appears "U. S. Stmr, Rosaka,
Sitca, Alaska Tery.," (3o0 postage would have been ample) The cover also
marked "Via Steamer" wvs brought down by another steamer, postmarked in
San Francisco, and forwarded then overland to Trenton, N. J Naval ships,
customarily conveyed U. S. Mail, while cruising outlying ports of U. S.
and according to G. B. Sloane carried much of the early mail to and from
Alaska.

It is interesting to note that long after the transfer, Alaska was
still referred to cfficialy as Russian America, and various documents of
President Andrew Johnson reveal continued use of the term "Russian America",
and it is only in his third annual message of Dec. 3, 1867 does he use the
name Alaska, a name attached to the land by Senatcr Sumner, and not William
Seward as it is often stated, oven in the text books.

It is interesting to note that the first postmaster of Sitka, John
H. Kirkead, rose to be the state treasurer, then governor of Novada, and
returned to Sitka in 1884 as the first civil Governor of the District of
Alaska.......the "unorganisd territory of Alaska" as President Chester
A. Arthur had called it,

Ralph A. Miller, in his excellent study brings out a very important
point when he quotes Richard S. Calhoun, editor of the "Zrctic Philatelist".
"In 1869, the first regular postal service was inaugurated from the United
States to Alaska, by the ship tConstantine' (originally owned by the Russian
American Company and sold to the American interests, this notation is mine)
whose owners Hutchinsonp Kohl and Company obtained a contract with the
Federal Government to make a monthly trip from San Francisco to Alaska with
calls at Port Townsend on Puget Sound San Junn Islands, Wrangoll and
Sitka." The importance of this is shown later as the company, having taken
over all the property, rights and trading posts of the Russicn Amorican
Company in 1867, became in 1870 the great ilaska Commercial Company. and
took over Alaska as its company possession, the Act of Congress, July 1,
1870, giving it a syndicate for twenty years, to establish trading posts,
almost exclurc yin the new land. Mr. Miller likewise brings out that by
1888 two U. S. aMil routes oxidsed, the second mail contractor being Carroll
Lino or "Pacific Coast Steamship Company", whose owner Captain James Carroll
offered to purchase Alaskak for double the price that it had cost the United
States, while the SongCs was debating the Alaska territorial status.

In conclusion, I would like to refer to the article by George A. Hall
in the Agust 1952 issue of the S. P. A. Journal, which described the ill-
fated attempt by Salamond Andree to fly from Spitzbergen to Alaska in 1897,
in a balaon. The project of flying over an ice cap and polar regions
excited the imaginations of the day. Noted French beloonist lochambro
designed and built the baloont and theoretically it was very possible for

44 25

the experienced baloonist Andree and hls two companions to fly 1500
miles to Alaska. On July 1897 the balloon floated oway, and a mystery
remained after that until 1930, when the remains of the flyers were
found on White Island, fifty miles from Spitsbergen. Thus ended first
Alaska flight.

It is very sad to know that many valuable records and covers that
could have shod much light on this dark corner of philately have been
destroyed by the fires, water and storms of the early days of Alaska.
Whatever little is kncwn has been incorporated into this study, and all
sources have been named, and are gratefully acknowledged.

Notes on Book "Stamps of the levant Post Offices"

by R. Sklarevski

This interesting handbook was written by D. B. Armstrong and
published in 1913. Included in the book is a map of Levant, showing
mail routes, and post offices of Austria, Russia, Germany, Egypt, France,
Britain, Greece and Italy.

Mr. Armstrong was the editor of the "Stamp Collectorst Annual" and
author of a number of handbooks, dealing with various philatelic subjects.

This book is divided into 10 chapters, dealing with-

The Levant Post Offices Germany
Austria Italy
Russia Roumania
France Egypt
Great Britain Greece

It is well illustrated. Front page shows a map of Constantigopo2e,
(street plan of Pera and Galata) with the location of the Foreign Post
Offices, Consulates and Embassies. Pictures of British, French, Austrian
and Russian Post Offices in Constanipoe are shown, On page 69, one may
see an interesting cut from the "Illusrated London News" showing the
interior of the British Army Post Office, Constantinopole, during the
Crimean War.

The Russian section, which covers pages 41 to 59p starts with histoo
rical description of the posts. At the end of this chapter is a summary,
which lists stamps through 1913.

Although the book has much Interesting and valuable information it
is by no means complete. This book has been written before the closing
of all the foreign post offices in Lsevnt, and since their closing much
information has been added to Mr. Armtrongts interesting study.

26 44

"USSR"-15 kop. Soldier Type of 1939

by E. Archangelsky
(Michel #679- grau grun, Gibbons *558 h-blue green, Yvert #735-vert
fence, Zumstein #718-grun, Scott *735-dark green)

By expertising I established that this stamp had three printings,
namely:-

Printing 1lPrinted in 1939 (dark grey green), by typography on medium-
thicK paper with yellowish gum end issued, perf. 12x12J.
(a)-Design can ba eon from t-o bock,
(b) -t'c lihn3 of ;< Lolt ihrldinp the knapsack is
(c) -Size -11x om
printing II-Printod in 1942! (dark green) by typography on slightly
thicker paper with white gum and issued perforated 12xl2c
(a), (b) and (c)Same as in Printing I.

Printing Ill-Printed probably in 1945 (gray green) by lithography on
thick paper with yellowish gum.
(a)-Design Aogspt show on the back.
(b)-Line on knapsack is full.
(c)-Siz3-Same as in Printing 1l
(d)-The letters o. "OCH and "T" of "POCHTA" in
inscription "Post USSR" found at the bottom of
the stamp are in horizontal alignment.

Only Zumstoin catalogue lists wrong perf. l*Jx12. The correct
color for 3rd, printing as given by Michel Catalogue is gray green.

Editorial Comment-Based on USSR Satalogue of 1948.

#885 (P.12xl2-), #8851 (Imporforate)APrinting I.
15 kop, gray green printed on paper with white or yellowish gum and
issued in 1939.

It seems that Mr. Archamgelskyts Printings I and II are the same as
Printing I listed in the Soviet catalogue, except Mr, Archnagelsky gives
slightly different perf., shades and gum. In cther words the Soviet cat-
alogue combines the above authors 2 printings into 1.

PrintingII-#1345 (Perf. 12f)-grmy green printed by offset in Sept. 1947.

therefore Soviet catalogue lists only 2 printings to 3 by Mr. Archangelsky.
The following table gives comparisons.

Printing ate PrintingI Perf. Gm Gte Printin Parf. Gum Pr.

ST 19 2 xto Sept 2&l whit
SIII lL no,. --- Yol.ovdish 1947 QOffset 12 j I3
_E, Archangelskys' listings .Soviet.Catalogue of 19-8

44 27

Te realize that because of long use this stemp has ben issued in huge
quantities and boccuso Mr, Archangoleky s listing and that of the Soviet
catalogue do not agree that a further study is necessary to get a complete
story. Therefore any additional information from the readers will be
welcome,

Rossika Journal welcomesadvertisements from dealers, non-members and
members, both in Russian and English languages.

Full P ge-1)30,00
Half Page.mS15.00
Quarter Page-) 7.50
Twolveth Pagoe. 2.50 (5 lines)

Repeated ads. are considerably cheaper because of discount. Members
of Rossika may pay only 50% of the tariff.

Full page is approximately 6 lines. Therefore the cost of advertising
is 50 cents per l&ne, before discount.

Notes on Book "RuralPloaten Von Russland"

by R. Sklarevski
This book was written by Hugo Iubkert, and published in Vienna
in 1882.

This 132 page handbook starts with Russian alphabet and a list of
109 various Zemstvos. Naturally this handbook is incomplete, for the
Zemstvos continued issuing stamps as late as 1917.

The handbook is well illustrated, and lists stamps as well as
postal stationary This catalogue was widely used by German collectors
of Zemstvo stamps, of which there was a great number.

b_ Be Igky
I have four mint stamps of the following denominations:-50k., 2, 4&
10 rubles on gray paper. I also have 50k, amd 2 rubles cancelled with a
single ring 29mm. cancellation. On the sides within the circle are small
rhomboids, and the wording in Latin alphabed reads at the top
28 44

Te realize that because of long use this stemp has ben issued in huge
quantities and boccuso Mr, Archangoleky s listing and that of the Soviet
catalogue do not agree that a further study is necessary to get a complete
story. Therefore any additional information from the readers will be
welcome,

Rossika Journal welcomesadvertisements from dealers, non-members and
members, both in Russian and English languages.

Full P ge-1)30,00
Half Page.mS15.00
Quarter Page-) 7.50
Twolveth Pagoe. 2.50 (5 lines)

Repeated ads. are considerably cheaper because of discount. Members
of Rossika may pay only 50% of the tariff.

Full page is approximately 6 lines. Therefore the cost of advertising
is 50 cents per l&ne, before discount.

Notes on Book "RuralPloaten Von Russland"

by R. Sklarevski
This book was written by Hugo Iubkert, and published in Vienna
in 1882.

This 132 page handbook starts with Russian alphabet and a list of
109 various Zemstvos. Naturally this handbook is incomplete, for the
Zemstvos continued issuing stamps as late as 1917.

The handbook is well illustrated, and lists stamps as well as
postal stationary This catalogue was widely used by German collectors
of Zemstvo stamps, of which there was a great number.

b_ Be Igky
I have four mint stamps of the following denominations:-50k., 2, 4&
10 rubles on gray paper. I also have 50k, amd 2 rubles cancelled with a
single ring 29mm. cancellation. On the sides within the circle are small
rhomboids, and the wording in Latin alphabed reads at the top
28 44

"St. 0. K.", in the middle "3C. SEP. /3" an' bolo -. "SIjCEODI".

The 2 ruble has a round 33mmi in diameter cancellation, with wording
in GOTHIC lottors. Tho cancellation reads:-on the top-ASTAADKCBWENDATUR",
in the middle o26.11j.943"Y whilo belcw it reads "SL3ODA". On the sides
arc small stars, slightly above the word SLCBODA.

PROOFS OF TIH UKPAINILN OVERPRIKTS ON THE STAMPS OF 1918

by Captain S. de Shraacohoko

From January 22, 1918, the deto of the declaration of iide tiehco"f
the Ukrcin1in Republic, until Sopt-nmbor 1, 1918 (Actually until the Ist.
of Cctcber) Russian postage stamps, as well as the savings stamps and
others, were used throughout the Urrrine. Those stamps are of groat interest
to the collectors of Ukrainian stamps, as they show cancellations and var-
ious postmarks of different posts, with dctes of this period. German
specialists in this field of philatoly named those stamps long ago
"Vorlnufor", i. e. being in uso before the appearance of the Ukrainian
issues. At that time, thore was a largo supply of mint Russian postage
stamps in possosion of the inhabitants of Ukraine, beeause:-

1-Unlcwful influx of those stamps from the Bolshovies, whose
currency at that time Tvs plunging downward.
2-PFyment by Rounaninns to the Russians working in Dossaraba,
for services, and doubts, with postage stamps of Imperial
Russia, in the area cocupied by the Rournnions, who incident-
ally laid hands on a large supply of these stamps. A flood
of these resulted in the Podclian Postoal-elorraph Gkrug,
according to the royort of the Chief of the Ckrup Spiridon
Mikhailovitch Navrotzky to the Ministry of Posts and Telegraph
in Kiev.

Population of Ukraine, in pocsossion of these stamps, sold thom at
a low price, undamrining the government treasury. At the same time arose
the national question, that Ukrino, as a sovereign government should have
its own stamps, thus, oven during the Government of the Contral Rada, main-
ly during the time of Hetman, it was decided by the Ministry of Posts and
Toloeraph to issue Ukrainian postage stamps, series "SHAGIV" June 1918,
and to overprint with the Ukrainian sovereign trident nil Russian postage'
stamps on hand. Various ministries incidentally decided to do the samo
to the revenue stamps and others.

During Juno-July of 1918 first proofs of the overprints were made. As
a specimen, the legat seal of Ukraino was used, work of the well known
proffessor-ertist Vasily Foodorovich Krichovsky, This was a trident
within an oval wreath. Two variotios resulted,

Typel-Trident without a cross.
Typoll-Tridont with a cross.

These proofs wore made with hrndstamps in black and violet, on various
stamps, so as to be able to soo those overprints as they actually looked.

44 29

This showed that those overprintsp ospocially on small, ordinary Russian
stamps were not satisfactory. The project was not accepted likewise from
a purely practical technical reason; to have a more outstanding overprint
with greater clarity, and simplicity, without great smearing of the stamps,
thus the trident alone, and without the cross was accepted.

The best example of this overprint was the Kiev III, a and b, and
the nearest to the original official seal of Ukraine. In November of
1918 appeared another, third typo of the overprint of the seal of the
Hotman of Ukraine, in a circle a Cossack with a rifle on shoulder, and
above him the tridont, and to the right and left an inscription "UKRAINSKAYA
LERZJAVA" or UKRAINIAN STATE" or sovereignity, work of the well known on-
grever-profL Urii Ivanovich Narbut. This type, because of similar reasons,
and lack oftimo was not utilized. All throo typos of proofs are most
interesting to thp collectors of the stamps of Ukraine, although, as proofs,
they were never used postally. Into E. Virov had an oxcellont collection
of thosa proofs, the author of this article likewise possesses a collection
of this typo.

.srSIKA PHiIAT'IgSC J IT OIN EIQIGIfM

by B. Logky
On March 6, 1954, Belgian section of Rossika organized a philatelic
exhibition of Russian stamps, in the "Swiss House", Brussels, This display
drew great praise not only from the Belgian Philatelists, but also from the
Iolgian philatelic press. This was the first time that the people of
Belgium had the opportunity to view the complete presentation of all the
Russian stamps with all of the variotios, as well as the entire, cancel*
nations and Zomstvo issues.

f A. Md Rossolevitch drew an excollont poster for the exhibition, and
served on the jury along with Andre do Cock, Etienne Corbisier de Moault.
I Bart, Robert Dolapierro, and Fornand Simonart. Among those who attended
the exhibition wore President of the Buaesels Union of Philatelic Societies,
S7 Mro T. Schornor, representing Mr. Marcol Van Biorbeaux, President of the
Corporation of the Stamp Doalers, and the heads of the Brusells philatelic
organizations,

SThere wore two competitions* 0no for the best in the show, and the
S other for the best #1, and in this entry wore eighteen stamps.

-. First prize, donated by V. Williamo, member of the Belgian section
of Rhssika, wont to W. Frauonlob for the excellent showing of Russia #1 on
\ covers. Most interesting cancellation was a double cirlo strike, with
"1f ." at the top, and "HUSSIATIN" at the bottom, and ornaments on
both sides. This postmark was as lovely as the stamp itself. Mr. Frauonlob,
in spite of the fact that he lived in Switzerland, arrived in time for the
opening of the show, and thus contributed to the raising of the spirit of
the event.

Second prize, gift of Ango Hanssons, want to I* Braunstein, member of
the Belgian section of Rossjka, for his gonoral exhibit of unused Russian

3 44

stamps, especially fr his philatelic effort "Local post of the city of
Warsaw, 1915". To hope that this work will be presented cf the pages of
"the Rossika journal.

Exhibitors, mombors cf the Doegian Section of Rossika

I. Braunstoin-----Unused Russia to 1917, R. S. F. S. R. to 1923,
U. S. S. R. to 1925, Consular Issues, Armies of
the North, North Woat, and Wrangol. Local post
of Warsaw.1915 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Central Lithuania, South Lithuania, iarwiszki,
Airpost and gonoral.
S. Kurgan------ -Russian Post Officos in Turkey, Ari nia, Azorbaijan,
Dctum, Georgia and Transcaucasian Republic. Far
Eastern Roiublic and Gorman Cccupation 1941-44.
A. Geniss-----H--list -ry of Pcland on Stamps
F. Richo---------- Wrtimo Consorhip in Russia
F. Drcokman------ILuzomburg
B. Yormolinsky----Bolgium, Issue 185C-63, medallions.
A. Rossolovitch---Postmarks on the stamps of Saxony
BD Logky---------Cancollationsa Gonoral, Fieldpost, Steamship, Rail-
road, Mutes of 1914, Russian Post Officos in Turkey
and China, and Zomstvos.

Exhibits of the Bolgian Philatolists

Dr. J. Stibbe-----Postal Stationory of Russia.
R. Marlor--------Odessa Rod Cross, ontiros.
M. Polischuk----Far East-1923"Lirpost, Lithuania-Airpost ,Honduras-
Airpost.
B. Trylinski-----Poland 1863, 1916-19. First official issues, semi-
officials and locals.
R. Wolvaort------Finland 1860-1918-Cancollations of different
Steamship Companios. Highly specialized and
extremely complete.

I am deeply groatful to all who cooperated in making this exhibition
a hugo success, especially Mr. Jacques Du For.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I am interested in early stamps of SAZCNY, free of defects, in
superb condition. Icm interested in covers, pairs, strips and blocks,
as well as singles of all issues. Will pay cash, or will exchange for
stamps of other countries."

A. Rosselovich
91 Ave Vanderope, Uccle
Sruxollos, Eolgique

44 31

THEMATIC COLLECTING

by Dr. B. S. Voropinsky

During the 20's the designs of the stamps changed and the results
began to resemble pictures. Stamp collectors began to pay more attention
to the designs, postal issues started to pour out in an endless stream as
if out of a horn of plenty, and this led to the new method of stamp colleet-
ing, the topical or thematic selection of stamps.

The new issues were beautiful$ and several countries, catering to the
trend, printed full series of stamps depicting one motif. This became
especially pronounced during the last 30 years. Subject collecting appealed
to the beginners who were thus able to collect stamps of all nations in
their chosen topical field, they wore given an opportunity to capture in
these stamps the national spirit, character of the people, the aims and
wishes as well as progress of the inhabitants, to note the leaders in var-
ious fields of science and arts, to familiarize themselves w$th the famous
people of each land, whether of international status or of purely looal
fame, to learn the nature, florea fauna, history, architecture of the country,
as well as other things within the scope of the thematic collecting*

The beginner or the "medium" advanced collector, especially of limited
financial means, looks into the catalogue, so as to select a country,
prices the stamps needed to complete the collection, notes the high cost of
many of the stamps, and the futility of even finding some of them. Some
times in spite of work, effort and expense over the period of many years,
one cannot complete ones collection of one or two countries (with several
exceptions). Limiting one's collecting to two or three countries does not
satisfy many collectors who would prefer stamps of various lands. Every
country has its special appeal and presents many interesting emissions
which many collectors would like to possess.

Now arises a problem t to collect a certain period, for example from
1945 or to select one or another theme which interests the collector. To
collect many countries, for example from 1945 is difficult, as there are
masses of issues which call for groat outlay of money, besides this will
not satisfy many collectors as such a collection will never be complete,
never fulfills an aim, and in such a collection one is forced to collect
many stamps which hold no interest and do not please the collector.

The alternative is the thematic collecting which achieves a purpose
and completion, costs but little and allows one to collect only the stamps
that are interesting and which answer the call of a certain theme.

Topical collecting is very educational and beneficial to the growing
group of young collectors. Besides the acquisition of such a collection,
and geographic data, this collection gives a specialized knowledge in the
chosen theme. In this endeavor, the theme must be amply illustrated and
worked out with exhaustive write up and research of each stamp.

Varied fields of learning, arts, technics, and civilizations have their
influence upon the stamps in question, and if they, by their design or
picture are joined into a group of similar motifs, they present a marvellous
illustration.

32 44

An international society of topicalists has been organized, the Fede'ra-
tion Internatfonal de Philatelie Constructive or F. I. P. C. 0., covering
28 countries, with 8,000 members, and it is still in process of organization.
Needless to state thousands others will join. As an aid to thematic collect-
ors brochures will be issued, to develop various fields and motifs.

To create a topical collection one must be guided by several rules.
Stamps must be the main point of interest, and must not be subordinated to
other items, such as accompanying text, phots, etc. Write up must be brief.
Stamps should be in perfect condition and hinged, not glued to the album
sheet. Cancelled stamp must show a clear picture. No note need be made of
watermark, perfs, etc. Collectors should have all the individual freedom of
selection of stamps, set up, system, artistic arrangement and expansion of
theme. It is necessary to limit the theme* If you show "animals on stamps"
then you should show all stamps featuring animals, but if you call it "view
of animals on stamps" then you can show one of each such as one of a horse,
selecting the best one. It is most important to emphasis this point.

With the growth of the number of topicalists many series of stamps and
individual stamps will be in groat demand, while others will be ignored as
unsuitable thus affecting the price of both groups. Already catalogues like
Michel raised the prices of stamps with topics such as U. P. U., sport,
christian motif. Many recent series after 2-3 weeks after issue were raised
in price 25%. Same can be said for the series "Berlin" which went up four
times its face,

I recommend the reading Lenls article in the old Rossika. Possibly
now in the new Rosseka will appear similar articles, even translations of
the old. Thus I end my article on thematic collecting giving you the main: A
points of ikonophilia of stamps# discussion of various branches of thematic
collecting and discussion of the international show. I hope that many
members of Rossika answer my call and form topical collections, choosing
a topic closest to their heart. later, they can indicate in the list, what
motif or topics they collect so as to get help from others in procuring
services and stamps neodo.

In a 500 frame show, held for a week from October 8th. 1954 R.Sklarevski
won a 10 inch sterling silver plato, a gold medal and a plaque for his 12
frame exhibit of "Aloe Tree" issues of Batum. The collection contained
the famous "P for "R" errors in blocks of six. Complete sheet of Scott's
#2, Blocks of 1 to 6, N1 to N8, and N45 to 53 showing all transfer varieties.
A reconstructed sheet of N45 to 53, showing all the overprint flaws. #N7a,
the "Cccupation" error. It also showed the necessary parts of the sheets
of these issues to complete the plating of these issues started by Hughes
in England. At the time Mr. Hughes wrote his book he lacked end rows of
some of the issues. last few pages of this exhibit showed and illustrated
all known counterfeits of the "Aloe Tree" stamps. The last page showed
several examples of the "Aloe Tree* revenues, which included the "Cccupation"
error,

44 .3
^y -)HHt^XXIH(>(

UL j3

Collecting one or several colmtrios one is forced to collect all the
stamps, beautiful or not, collecting by the numbers in the catalogue, if
one or more countries, and at the same time viewing thematic collectors as
collectors of pictures. However9 to day, majority of the stamps represent
one scene or another, a picture, Occasionally one cannot avoid uninteresting
designs on stamps, but these few are lost among all the beautiful designs,
and the thematic collector is the gainer.

Literature which is available to the thematic collector is plentyful.
I shall mention one recent book "Flugzengtypen auf market" by K. Damonne.
This book is interesting not only to the collectors of themes but to the
airpost collectors as well. In a very clear, concise way, the author des-
cribes in the first part, German types of airplanes, in the.second part he
discusses the foreign types, according to the year of their appearance. The
same author issued another book "Aerotyp". A brochure was issued in Austria
"the Animal 2orld on Postage Stamps" in which they are discussed in a brief
and convenient way, listed according to Yvert. This work should interest
all collectors of fauna. One must likewise note the non-philatelic publi-
cations which carry articles of interest to topical collectors. Thus, in
the Journal "Natur und Technik" one finds an article "Physics on Postage
Stamps", in journal "Draht und Telle"--article "Radiotechnic on Stamps", in
journal "Medizinische Klinik"p designs of stamps featuring medicine on
stamps, in Journal "Kautchuk Anwesdurgen", article "Finding of Hautchuk or
Rubber on stamps". Appearance of many such articles in the regular press
gladdens all philatelists and pleases the thematists most of all.

In March of 1952, in Saar occurred the first international exhibition
of thematic collectors. Its success wont beyond all expectations. More
than 200 collectors gathered from twenty different countries. Constructive
philately became thus an important branch of philately, and thanks to it,
we may increase the collection of stamps, which has in recent times began to
decrease in volume. It was possible at this exhibition to see how a thematic
collection was developed and carried through to completion. Three gold medals
went to Germany for these topics:

1-Madonna on Stamps
2-Music
3-Music as soon on postage stamps.
The grand prize of the exhibition went to Switzerland for a collection
"Second World War". This collection was written up in 2 volumes of the
history of the war and it portrayed all the political and historical events
of the world 1939-45. The Grand Prize offered by Saar district for the
best exhibit by a Saar resident. went-to the collection "Holy Year". There
wore likewise other sections: Geography and arts of the people, History,
Arts, Technics, husbandry, methods of travel, medicine and charity, welfare,
zoology and Botany, religion# sport and rest, youth and family, famous
people and literature. These sections gave collectors a chance to judge
various motifs and to see the scope of thematic collecting. Many other
prizes were given.

During the exhibition it was decided that in thematic collecting,
the stairp should be of first importance, also philatelic knowledge in the
point system of judging. Thus:

l.-Seb up and writo up -------28 points

34 /4

2.-Condition--------2 to 8 points
3,-Completoness--- 6 to 14 points
4.-Personal specialized philatelic knowledge---5 to 20 points
5.-Individual artistry, formation------- -----6 to 10 points
In this system 26 to 35 points won an honorable mention
36 to 45 points won a bronze medal
46 to 52 won a silver medal
Above this are awarded gold medals and larger prizes

Many other thematic exhibitions on a national and international scale
were recently held but lack of spaco prevents a discussion of these.

It appears that topical collecting is the method of collecting of the
future. This is influenced by: huge number of issues and great cost,
freedom of selection of a topic or topics, avoidance of the need to mount
ugly stamps and the disfigurement of album pages because of issues devoid
of artistic merit, and comparative cheapness of the stamps which are used.
likewise topical collections are cf interest to all cultured people, not
only to philatelists.

Picture for yourself n topical collection with illustrations and a
brief write up of a theme of the greatest military loaders. Will it not
interest allhistorians, military mon and all others, to soe before ones
eyes those who decoded the fate of empires and people in the past, Take
the series of Suvorov, crossing the Alps, place along side the stamp of
Massona (which sooner or later will be issued in France) quote the lttor's
"I would trade all of my victories for Suvorcv's Swiss campaign" and you
will add to this a stamp of Fr.nz I and Paul I, recalling the words of Paul I
to Suvorov, then the purpose of this enterprise, to cover the arms of Russia
with glory, will be clear. I bring this little example, not worked out
fully, as an outline of what one can develop individually and with taste.

Often one sees non-philatelists who nevertheless collect stamps which
hold their interest such as sports, music, etc. A topical collection is
tempting especially in the field of arts, in which one can exercise ones
individuality in selecting ones ideal of beauty as pictured on stamps.

We must consider the pioneers of thematic collecting the collectors cf
airpost. This field however has grown so large and the issues so immense
and expensive, as tc be prohibitive to many. To complete even a single
country is almost an impossibility, considering various errors and rarities.

While the majority of topics pictured on stamps of the 20's and the
30's took up only a couple of album pages, to-day it is different, One has
the choise of many in every field ofcourse if one wishes to show animals, and
wishes to exhibit a stamp of a horso, and show it only. Ofourse if you
wish completeness and variety, it is your privilege to show all on hand.

While in the 20's the number of thematic collectors was small, it incr-
eased greatly in the 30's, and topical literature increased in proportion.
Nothing is now under the sun, it is said, and we may site that about 1900
with the appearance of stamps of Liberia, Borneo and Guatemala & others
featuring wild animals, many philatelists began to collect this theme.

44 35

PIHILTELIC LITERATURE ON RUSSIA

by Rimma Sklarevski

One of the most interesting phases of Russian Philately is the
literature pertaining to the stamps of Russia and States.

I have always boon interested in collection the literature on
Russian stamps and have built a collection of about 75 items,
excluding the articles.

My collection consists of the following-

(1-IIandbcoks
(2)-C-taloguoe and Price lists
(3)-Journals
(4)-Articl os
At this time my list includes oaly the first 3 parts, and only
what I have in my collection. Later on I will list items not in my
collection, but known to me.

The abbreviations after each item are for4nglish (E), Russian (R),
French (F), and Gorman (G),

This article doesn't go into the merits of each item. Some are
very good, others are poor, and a number are obsolete.

I am very much interested in improving my collection with addit-
tional items, that I miss, and also in extending this list.

HANDBOCKS

(1)-Stamps of the Levant Post-Cffices-D. B. Armstrong-1913-(E)
2)-Hnndbuch Postworthzoichen dor Rural-Poston Von Russland-
Hugo Lubkort-r882-(G)
3).-J. B. Moons Catalogue des Timbros-Poste-(1872-73)-(F)
4)-Cataluguo do Russie et des Etats Issus De LtAncion
Empire RussoeRomoko-1927-Illustrate-(F)
(5)-Same as (4)-1933-Not illustrated
(6)-Catalogue of the Russian Rural Postage Stamps-1925-
F. G. Chuchin-(E)
7)-West Ukraina*J. Baumgarton-1919-(G)
( -Las Emissions do la Russie D'Asio-S. A. Pappa dopulo.
9)-Catalogue of the Postage Stamps of the Former Russian
Empire, R. S. F. S. R. rnd U. S. S. R. for 1924-2nd.
Edition-1924-(R)
(10)-Cataloguo of the Postage Stamps of R. S. F. S. R. and
U. S. S. R.-4th. Edition-1933-(R)
(11)-Catalogue of the Ukrainian Postage Stamps-P.Chastin-
1950-(Ukrainian)
12) Azerb;.ijan-F. J. Molville-(E)
13)-Postage Stamps of Ukraino-D. B. Armstromg-(E)
W2.->Tho Postage Stamps of the Soviet Republics-G. MV. Whito-
(1917-25)-IE)
36 44

Notes on Book "J, B, Moens Catalog.e do timbres Poste"

by R, Sklarevski

The earliest work on Rural stamps was published in 1872-73 by the
firm J. B. Moens in Brussels, Belgium. This catalogue of the stamps of
the whole world, includes telegraphs, revenues, parcell post, essays,
etc. This catalogue is not illustrated, except with one large cut of
the Zemstvo stamps. It lists stamps from 54 Zemetvos.

These early catalogues, are more or less collectors items, because
of their scarcity, on the other hand their usefulness to a specialist
of these issues is practically nil, because great deal of information
is inaccurate and incomplete,

LITERARY REVIEW

One cannot start a column of this type without discussing the journals
issued this year by our friends, the British Society of Russian Philately,
London. Mr. John Barry and Dr. A* H. Tortman, co-editors of the publicat-
ion, must receive our congratulations for the excellent No. 13 and No. 14/
15 produced so far this year. It is impossible to dwell properly, and to
do justice with the material, for ladk of space. Briefly, No, 13 shows a
rare item from the collection of Dr. L. S. Snegireff, former member of the
Rossika Society. It is an illustration of secretka (letter-card), described
by him as "Postal Stationery' for troops in 1904, inscribed 'Gift of H. I.
H. Heir Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovicht. The seal of the
Grand Duke appears in the center of the left upper corner of this secretka
or letter card perforated on three aides. The interesting thing is that
this particular is postmarked after the date of birth of the new Heir
Alexis, who was born on July 30, 1904 (old style), but this stationery
continued in use for some months. There is likewise a fine article on the
Zemstvo issues by Charles Stibbep a check list of Russian Post Offices in
China by S. D. Tchilinghirian, American Samovar (gossip page) by rr. G. B.
Salisbury, *Mute Cancellations of the torld War I" by the same author, and
"The Lenin Rouble Value Stamps of U. S. S. R." by J. F. Chudoba. Journal
No. 14/15 has likewise a very fine cover, from the collection of Dr. M.
ynger, as the illustration of an outstanding cover. It is a letter address.
eed to Bogorodsk and there is an additional 5k. Zemstvo stamp to pay
postage within the Zemstvo distriote It is cancelled with the usual
Bogorodsk Zomstvo postmark of 1884. The cover is remarkable for the
censor mark "D. TZ." in i circle which is to be -seen near the top.
Others are known but without the circular frame. Cne of those is a
wrapper from England also to Bogoroddk, with a Zemstvo stamp, in 1889,
and the other is a cover from Sweden addressed to Moscow in 1879. It
would seem therefore that some mail between 1879 and 1899coming into
Moscow district from abroad was censored. The articles in this issue
are very varied and interesting. Those include "Ship Post Marks of the
Imperial period in the Southern Caspian' by S. D. Tchilinghirian, "Russian
Airmail Cachets" by J. H. Reynolds# "Warsaw Times of Receipt" by A. Shields
and J. Barry, Biog.aphy of Br. G, Be Salisbury by S. Gibriok, the "Numeral
Obliterations of the Moscow Town Post by J. Prilutzki & Dr. A. H. Wortman,

38
44

(15j kr.irna Handbu.chC. Svcnscr-I-Toil-1926-(G)
(I'''r :..,IcL -19.32'-)5.(G)
(:C7)'",ca-.'JrJ 11 H Pcclo-(E)
:.It8-C.taloguo cf the Pcst-ge Stamps of U. S. S. P.-198-(R)
19) 9no Star:ps of the Rassian Refugcos Post-., E. Kothro &
Po To A4sfcrd.-August, 1951-(E)
(20)-Export BiiG'.g's Grosses Handbuch dor Falschngen-#28-
So iot Russi nd-(G)
(21),#33-Russland Kaiserroich und Lovantc-(G)
22)-Dars Postweson Palastinas-P. P. Lindenberg-(G)
(23.'Post-.o Stanps of Bctun-W. E. Hughoe*935-(E)
S24) ussianr Rural ST.amps-,m, Horrick-1896-(E)
(25)-No'oe of the Bussian Revolutitcnary Stnmps (1920-22)
Monc Lic. --i'ts S' rs,-(1924 -27)4 -K Iassiuk
(Amorican Pr.la-e'i-: Soec-l.ity HEndoock) -(E)
26) -Rovo2icon.ry S'mnics of Russia-J. L. Stroub-1927-(E)
27)-Cho 1-il of '. E F.,-Ho M. Sanford-(E)
(28).-C,--ioquai of the Pcstago Stamps and Entiros of Ukraina-
F G, Chuchin-1927-(R)
29) Caucnsus-F. G. Chuchin-1926-(R)
30)-Russinn Post in Empire Turkey, China and Polish
Kingdom-. V. Prigara-(R)
CAT.lDGUES & PRICE LISTS
(1 -Agathpn Fiborgo Collections-Russia-Nov. 20 & 21 1939-(E)
2 -as 1) of Finland & 'oland-Cet. 9 & 10, 1939-(E)
3 -s (1) Of Russian Zemstvo Stamps-March 18 & 19, 1940-(E)
S-14th. Salo of M. Forrari do la Ronctiere-24 to 26 November,
1925-(Zomstvo) -(F)
)*i-Russia.-E, L. Morgan Collection-July 17, 1940*(E)
6 -Sovio4 Price Lists-1935, 193941--(R)
7 -Janet Salo Catalogue-Dec. 19, 1951-(Zemstvo)-(F)
8-L. S. Glass-Prico ILsts-CE)

JOJNALIS

S)-British Journal of Russian Philately-(l to 13)JE
2 ossika-(l to 43)-(Mostly in Russian)
3 -The Russian 'Anorican Philntelist-(l to 24)-cu
4)-Soviot Oolloctor, Philatollst-(Russian-somo German
English and French)
Many of the items listed on these pages are quite scarce, and in
most cases may bo obtninod at auctions when large philatelic libraries
are sold. Theoro ro a number of dealers both U. S. A. and abroad,
who specialize only in philatelic literature. Several other members
of Rossika have philctolic libraries on Russia and Sptoes, besides
mysolg, namely Kurt Adlor and Dr. G. B. Salisbury, others have literature
on the branches of Russian Philately they collect.

l0oaso address .ll communications either to the editor Dr. G. B,
Salisbury or direct to the author at 640 N. Gharlos St. ive., Towson
4, Md.

"" IUECT RUSSLM PHILTFCI LITER.TUR
44 37

Notes on Book "J, B, Moens Catalog.e do timbres Poste"

by R, Sklarevski

The earliest work on Rural stamps was published in 1872-73 by the
firm J. B. Moens in Brussels, Belgium. This catalogue of the stamps of
the whole world, includes telegraphs, revenues, parcell post, essays,
etc. This catalogue is not illustrated, except with one large cut of
the Zemstvo stamps. It lists stamps from 54 Zemetvos.

These early catalogues, are more or less collectors items, because
of their scarcity, on the other hand their usefulness to a specialist
of these issues is practically nil, because great deal of information
is inaccurate and incomplete,

LITERARY REVIEW

One cannot start a column of this type without discussing the journals
issued this year by our friends, the British Society of Russian Philately,
London. Mr. John Barry and Dr. A* H. Tortman, co-editors of the publicat-
ion, must receive our congratulations for the excellent No. 13 and No. 14/
15 produced so far this year. It is impossible to dwell properly, and to
do justice with the material, for ladk of space. Briefly, No, 13 shows a
rare item from the collection of Dr. L. S. Snegireff, former member of the
Rossika Society. It is an illustration of secretka (letter-card), described
by him as "Postal Stationery' for troops in 1904, inscribed 'Gift of H. I.
H. Heir Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovicht. The seal of the
Grand Duke appears in the center of the left upper corner of this secretka
or letter card perforated on three aides. The interesting thing is that
this particular is postmarked after the date of birth of the new Heir
Alexis, who was born on July 30, 1904 (old style), but this stationery
continued in use for some months. There is likewise a fine article on the
Zemstvo issues by Charles Stibbep a check list of Russian Post Offices in
China by S. D. Tchilinghirian, American Samovar (gossip page) by rr. G. B.
Salisbury, *Mute Cancellations of the torld War I" by the same author, and
"The Lenin Rouble Value Stamps of U. S. S. R." by J. F. Chudoba. Journal
No. 14/15 has likewise a very fine cover, from the collection of Dr. M.
ynger, as the illustration of an outstanding cover. It is a letter address.
eed to Bogorodsk and there is an additional 5k. Zemstvo stamp to pay
postage within the Zemstvo distriote It is cancelled with the usual
Bogorodsk Zomstvo postmark of 1884. The cover is remarkable for the
censor mark "D. TZ." in i circle which is to be -seen near the top.
Others are known but without the circular frame. Cne of those is a
wrapper from England also to Bogoroddk, with a Zemstvo stamp, in 1889,
and the other is a cover from Sweden addressed to Moscow in 1879. It
would seem therefore that some mail between 1879 and 1899coming into
Moscow district from abroad was censored. The articles in this issue
are very varied and interesting. Those include "Ship Post Marks of the
Imperial period in the Southern Caspian' by S. D. Tchilinghirian, "Russian
Airmail Cachets" by J. H. Reynolds# "Warsaw Times of Receipt" by A. Shields
and J. Barry, Biog.aphy of Br. G, Be Salisbury by S. Gibriok, the "Numeral
Obliterations of the Moscow Town Post by J. Prilutzki & Dr. A. H. Wortman,

38
44

"NStamps of the 7'estern 4smys by H. Werth, "Auction Notao" by Madge Flint,
"Russian P. 0. in Sink iang by V. S. E. Stephen, 'A New Scarce Postmark"
by J. Barry, "Addenda Part II Romanov Tercuntenary Issue of 1913" by
Dr. G. B. Saliabury, "Notes and Queries" by O. F. Roberts, *U. S. S. R.
the 30 Kop Aviator Stampg939" by E. M. Archangelsky, and a review "Postage
Stamps of Armenia" by W. E. Hughes. What a philatelic feast.

A very interesting phenomenon has occurred this year in the stamp
publications, especially these published in the United States. After
ignoring our field for a very long time, all journals have featured
articles dealing directly or indirectly with Russian Philately, My
philatolic friend David IUdman, Editor of the American Philatelist,
besides the fine publicity and write'ups about B. S. R. P., andcta
authors, has been featuring "Alaska Postal History" by James S. Couch,
which in its early part covers the postal history of this Russian pos-
session of the past. Ho has likewise received permission from your
editor to publish the "Ronanov Torcontennary Issue of 1913" in serialized
form, in the near future in 1954. This should give our field a big boost,
as this journal of the A.mericn Philatelic Society has a circulation of
over 12,000, for its members alone, besides its world wide coverage.

While we are on the subject of Alaska, Testern Stamp Collector has
been publishing a serialized article of Alaska Postal History by Ralph
A. Miller, which is highly recommended for the students of this special-
ized field. Likewise, a new publication has been started by Richard S.
Calhoun of Sitka, Alaskap called the "Arctic Philatelist* which special-
Izes in the Arctic countries such as Alaska, Canada, greenland, Iceland,
Norway, Sweden, Finland, U. S. S. R. and Demrck, dealing in the articles
about the postal history of the posts above the Arctic Circle. A sample
copy will be mailed free on request. .

Collectors Club Philatelist produced recently one of the finest
articles of its kind written by our honoured member V. Rachmanov "Russia
Number One". It is a comprehensive work of twelve pages, filled with
great knowledge of the subject matter. The author, in spite of the
great loss of his world famous collection, in the fire in Warsaw, a
collection that won international honors in the past, has been able to
produce a masterpiece, based on his present collection, and those of
H. C. Goss of London, and the fine collection of Sir John 'ilson. The
Polish cancellations illustrated in this article are especially interest-
ing. Ue must mention while discussing this journal the fine articles of
not so long ago by H. iD Haverbock and S. D. Tchilinghirinn ca AxJaijan.
2be b 04C. Philatelist has likewise featured an excellent review of the
comprehensive and authoritative book by S. D. Tchilinghirian and P. T.
Ashford "The Postage Stamps of Armenia", published by the British Society
of Russian Philately, Both the authors and the society should be con-
gratulated for this monumental work, another in a long list of books
sponsored by this group about the various fields of the Russian Philately.

We return once more to the Western Stamps Collector. This worthwhile
publication has recently discussed the stamps of Tannu Tuva, also the
"hanus Reports from the U. S. S. R. ", a report on the rhilatolic activities
in the Soviet Union, and a very warm, sympathetic write up about "Breitfuse
of St.Petersburg" by Herman Herst Jr.

44 39

The "StarmpsOmagazine featured an interesting article "The March of
the 80,000" a story of the Fie-l Post in tho Ctchoslovak Army in Siberia,
also "Ickes' Diary Documents His Interest in Stamps", the famous philatel-
ist and Secretary of Interior in Franklin Delano Rooseveltts cabinet. In
this article, Ickes discusses the philatelic interests of the President
and his own, and the stamps which Litvinov and OumanEky gave both, and
to Morgentau, the Secretary of the Treasury. Incidentally, the excellent
presentation album of the Soviet stamps which was given by Litvinov to
F. D. R. on behalf of the Soviet government, was sold at an auction, and
latter purchased by my friend Dre Rand of New York. It is indeed a great
collection, although after vievdng Kurt Adler's similar album of straight
issues and rarities, gathered painstakingly by our member, concertmaster
and conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, I am inclined to judge the
latterts collection as a greater one, in every respect.

The Society of Philatelic Americans, in their well known journal,
The S. P. A. Journal finally broke out with a rash of articles in our
field. -te note the "hite Knight Stamps of Lithuania" by D. T. Dtericker
and H. K. Zirkle, "Stamps of the Prc-Finnish Countries of Neurope" by Art
Bledsoe, "Soviet Drifting Polar Stations" by George Hall, "United Action
before Korea" by P. Rupprocht Jr. and article about the Boxer Rebellion,
"Not Necessarily Choise Rarities" by S. G.. Rich, in which the author
discusses Turkestan stamps. The journal likewise discusses the amazing
amount of world wide publicity our hobby has been receiving lately in
the non-philatelic press. First, there was the very good article in
the Harper's Magazine by Hargrove, "Insomnia, Stamps and Mr. Mirnkud',
which was later reprinted in the "readers Digest". The Saturday Evening
Post featured on its cover a beautiful painting of a boy and an elderly
gentleman swapping and studying stamps, surrounded by albums, catalogues
and other philatelic paraphanolia. Not so long ago, Life Magazine
crowned it all by featuring on its cover and inoida-m'rni --a A 'f'bho
'orlBs gBe atos rarltiEo on and off cover, in natural color, plus as
informative write-up which should increase the ranks of stamp lovers.

Mercury Stamp Journalp in ite serialized study of the European
Classics, is now describing in great detail the stamps and the postal
history of Finland, The journal likewise discuses the cut square of the
l0k. envelope of Poland of 1860, and the numerous reports of its being
used on cover for postage. Only one such item was known, and the experts
of this journal some time ago had the opportunity of examening it, finding
it to be a crude fake, which was obtained by pasting a used cut square on
a stampless cover, and painting the missing parts of the "I" cancellation
on the cover, This only illustrates vividly that many authors in the
past have parroted the item, describing it, by copying from one another
without the effort of examining the item first. The expert's desk of the
Mercury Stamp Journal likewise points out another interesting item. The
first 10m, stampsaf Finland are a bit trying for some philatelists to
classify for the simple reason that Scott Catalogue does not offer ample
data on the sduject, Of course it isn't difficult to distinguish Scott
#82 from #69 and #75 because of the 1-j perf, while the other two have
13 perf. However when it comes to #69 and #75, the only difference
Scott offers is that the former is black and gray while the latter is
black and drab. Thus, the cheaper #75 is often offered and sold, or

40

mistaken for the scarcer 7'69o actually y tht3ro uro differences in the
design, however small, such as the differences in the ornaments at t1h
bottom left spandrel, but the best means of telling them apart, accordingg
to the Mercury Journal is found in the top inscription. Sertt 069 bhcws
bhe Uatters NM" and "A" in the inscription separated, while in #76, also
in #82 these two letters are joined. This should bd of help to many
philatelists.

While we are on the subject of Finland, we should mention a study of
the quar.tites printed of the first issue of Finland in the "suomen Post-
imorkkl.a.hti" (Helsinki) by E. unndmark. Earlier we had mentioned an
item about Poland. These who collect this interesting country should read
"uPolskle Znzki Pocztowo z Nadrukiom Groszy" by L. Stoinbach, a large
mimeographed booklet, 36 pEges with 6 picture plates, a fine contribution
to the study of the "Groszy" overprints of Poland, 1950-51. Another good
treatise on the same subject is "Groszy Ovorprints" by IT. Kolakowaky (N. Y.)
also a booklet, 54 pages describing the provisionals of 1950. While many
feel that this issue, originally made for regular use had become tainted
with philatelically inspired overprints, partly on oldr issues which were
no longer sold at the post offices, but wore presented for overprints by
private individuals, the field for study is very popular and not too
expensive.

Those who are interested in the stamps of Ukraine may like to read
about the stamps issued during the German occupation of the Ukraine 1941-
44, which are discussed by E. Koiler in "Der Deutschland#Sammler* (Passau).
Here, in the United States, "The Philatelist", organ of the Society of
Ukrainian Philatelists (N. Y.) now issues a bi-lingual publication, in
Ukrainian and English, It is very informative, and now that the language
barrier is lowered, it should be of help to the collectors in this field.

"VNotes on Mongolia and Tcnnou Touva" were recently published by A. F.
Godwin in the *Stamp Lover" (London), and this may shod some light on this
obscure and controversial phase of our philately.

Baltic States have likewise boon in the print lately. "Proofs of
Latvia" are written up by V, koyor-Brohm in "Stamps" (N. Y.) while the
printing of the riangulcr air post stamps of Lithuania 1932 to 1934 is
most ably discussed by H. M. Goodkind in the "ierophilatelistts News"
(N. Y.) "Stamp Collecting" of London has recently published a dine
article "The German Occupation of Russia 1941-4'5 by L. Rickard. It dis-
cusses the issues of the two Dienposts in the occupied territory of
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine and the Feldpost.

"The Philatelist and Postal Historian" edited by Robson Lowe in
London published an excellent article by Sybil Morgan "The Crimean Con-
tennary" and this should be of great aid to those who collect this period
of Imperial Russia and Groat Britain. Although British postal markings
are discussed, there is plenty of material for the postal historian of our
branch of philately. Postal historian will likewise welcome "History
Today" of March 1954, also published in London, as it has a fine article,
well illustrated by David Footman "Civil War in Siberia: The end of Kolchak
1919-1920". Of course those of you, who possess, as I do the wonderful book

41 44

"White Armies of Russia' by Stewart will find that there is very
little in treatise that has not been covered by the book, but even then,
the illustrations will be of great interest.

Mr. H. M. Goodkind, brilliant and talented editor of "Aerophilatelist's
News" has recently sent me G bound book of Volume I-5 (1946-50) and all
issues up to date, including the Aorophilatelist Annals. Studying the
contents I feel that a brief outline or list of articles of interest to us
should be given, as an aid to the society.

Aeroplanes on Stamps-E. ., MArchangelsky-(Vol.III.No. 21, Vol. IV, No. 13)
Bulgaria-1932 Phil Exh. Issuo-H. M. Goodkind-(Vol. II, No. I)
Air Mail Issues-E. M. Archangolsky-(Vol. IV, No. 16)
Counterfeits, Chock list of Airmails-(Vol V, Pages 74 and 75)
Designs on Air Stamps-(Vol. IV, No. 13)
Estonia, the 1923 Issue-H. M. Goodkind-(Vol. V, Pages 88 and 89)
Estonia, Mystery-(Vol.lV, No. 22, Vol. V, No. 23, Vol. VI, No. Z1, 24)
Estonia, Air Mail Issuo-E I. Archangelaky-(Vol. IV, No. 22)
Far Eastern Republi, Somi-aff. Air Stamps-W. G. Ehrmann-(Vol. I, No. 10)
Same-TW. Haas-(Vol. 11, No. 10l
Finland, New Issue-(Vol. V, Pago 17)
Jugoslavia, Air Mail Stamps"(Vol. III, No. 5)
1947 Air Mail Issuo-(Vol IV, No. 24)
Air letter Shee4s-J. L. Iacht-(Vol. IV, No. 5)
First Lithuanian Triangular Air Mails-(Vol. VI, No. 20)
The 1932-34 Triangles of Lithuania-(Vol. VIII, No. 11)
Poland, Polish Forces in Italy-H. M. Goodkind-(Vol. 11, No, 2)
Air Mail Stamps 1925 to 1939-E. M. Archangelsky-(Vol IV, No. 21)
Russian OfficiEa Air Mails of 1922-H. D. S. Haverbeck-(Vol. VI, No. 15
and Vol. VII, No. 6)
Rnssia, 1933 Issue-H, M. Goodkind-(Vol. 1, No. 14)

New issues are likewise listed and described. Students of aero-
philately will find this publication of great value.

The August issue of the American Philatelist gives our specialty
field a boost. In the article by L. N. and M. Williams "Fundamentals of
Philately" photos are shown of the 3 kop. Romanov issue of 1913 to illu-
strate the paragraph on the chclky paper, and of 2 kop. Russia 1902-C5,
the latter to illustrate the vertical laid paper. The editor of the journal
recently asked me to forward to him my No. 1 imperforate stamps to illu-
strate the next article on the watermarks. All this ofcourse brings our
field into spotlight.

It is the aim of your editor to keep in close contact with the
editors of other publications in order to promote our interests and most
of all the entire hobby of philatoly. We are but a small branch of the
big tree, and we must not forgot that, for if we do, and do not receive
the strength from the main body in the form of general interest and new
members, we, the branch shall wither and die.

To illustrate what a small branch we really are, let us consider

44

the classification of 12,C0? collectors of the Amorioan Philatolic Society,
of 58 classifications these aar the following:
16-U. S. and possessions Eat Asia
8-reeat Britain and Ooloa4os 1 e and Colonies
Europe, not listed blow 1 rmany and Colonies
1 opeals *First Day Covers
general seranad
24panish America Postal History

Thus we haoe U columns leading 14 for all kinds of interests in snaller
countries and specialties. This mws tabulated by Mrs. Zikle and to her I give
my gratitude.

How does this affect usl The oaser is simple, We are a amll part
of 3j, here and abroad as woll,

l-Editors of journals cator to the majority th thsthe articles and news
are of interest to the largeW groups of collectors,
24-pocialiUts and those who 2nit their field of collecting must belong
to one or more, preferably a societies dealing with their specialty
in order to learn and enjowumair hobby. Thi is on appeal for all
B. S. R. P. members to Join CB8IKA, and for our members to join the
B. S, R. P. Society, The'additional little bit of money will enlarge
your library, your knowledge and your fun, as well as your 0irele of
friends I guess I am tinludod) and may bring a mergerW
3-Final2y, it points to the need and great importance of this column
to inform all of our members of the articles in various journals
of the world which would otherwso be buried and unknown to the
majority of collectors in or field.

NitES OF THE RUSSIA CHEF OF POST IN TZETZERIAdM AIN E (MNGOOLIA)

A, Cronin
According to the 7th. point of agreement between R. S. F. S. R. and
Mongolia in November of 1921, Soviet Russia guaranteed establishment of
postal-telegraph network in MongoliQ Because of the inexperience of
the Mongolians, a large part of the postal employees consisted of Russians.

It is possible that in lseh 1929, in the settlement of Tseteerlig-
Mangale occurred a shortage of postage stamps. I have us envelope sent
by a Ohinese trader of this loma2e and addressed to Kaigan, China. In
the upper right hand corner, is seen the square ostnmor with inscription
""TSETSERLIG IMAGA 11.329 MMGiOLL1 and notes in handwriting in Russian
in three lines "25 ungi(paid) 2o Sheliakhov."

Letter with money was it seems sent in a postal bag to UlanrBator
where the stamp of 23m. (4ongolia, No. 22 Yvert) was posted on and canR,
oe3lod 15.3.29 and then the envoope was sent to Kalgan, via Harbin.

I wotid appreciate any infoametion about similar notes from other postal
establishments in Mongolia, possibly in collections of our *Rossika members.

I)JA

TIB ^UTIOMEER

It is always a pleasure to browse through the catalogues of the
past few months, and to review the treasures offered to the collectors
in our field. Years ago this would have brought forth pain instead, but
time is a wonderful healer, and one learns to look at rarities as one
does at famous and expensive paintings, to look, admire, study and,4....
become satisfied with photographic copies. These incidentally, cut out
from catalogues are very valuable as reference material, and along with
the "write up", and interesting data cut out of journals form valuable
and inexpensive files.

Harmer Rooke & Co., N. Yo recently auctioned. off Russia 62b, 1905
15 k., center inverted,-tied on a piece, for $1CO.00. May I state now
that all listings in this column arQ Scott's, unless specified differently.
This will save repetition.

Billig & Rich, N. Y. presented an outstanding item, Russia #12, two
copies plus #15 bisected and tied to a cover, quite unique, and priced
at an estimate of $400.00. The same auction saw Sanabria #2C, large CCCB
and nfmerals, original gum, very fine at 1125.00, also a Russian Offices
in Turkey 1868, stampless ship cover to Malta, arrival cancel, and Cons-
tanipole Steamship Agent marking in very fine condition at $5C.CC.
Speaking of levant, there was a #3, used, very fine, for $200C00, and a
block of 4 of #19c, with thin numeral "71' with original gum, very fine,
estimated at $50CC00 (probably unique). Those who were interests in Estonia
may wish to know about the collection of postmarks, 3100 stamps, many
covers, cancel on Russian stamps for $1000.00.

Kent Stamp Co., N. Y. had several nice items. One was the 1933
Philatelic Exhebition Presentation Sheet of 4 of Russia, imperforato
and very fine f51 4I86 ar.) at 0100.,0, another one was Siberia, 1921,
20k. on 3k. maroon and gray greo, og., v.f. signed by Kosack, lissiuk, etc.
for $125.00. The same field was likewise graced by 15k. on 20k-. blue and
carmine, the error in vertical pair with normal stamp, o.g., v.f. and
probably unique, signed by Kosack, etc. (69, 69a-Siberia) at $500.00

J. & H. Stolow, N. Y. showed a couple of beautiful gems in Offices in
Turkey-one was #la (1863), 6k. vivid light blue shade, with oversize margins
on 4 sides, and lightly candelled "POIIIIT CONSTANTINOP. AGENST. (in
Russian) 27-1-65", also "KERCH" in black, possibly the best copy known of
this stamp (which was on postal Back containing dried fruit) signed
Dr. Firl, certificate by W. Brandes attached, estimated at $250.00. Another
item was a 1865 cover with #2-2k. brown and blue sailship, with oversize
and fTll margins all around, very lightly cancelled, with certificate by
the U#ion of Sov. Phil. Societies attached, at $100.00

Walter Rappaport of Hollywood, Florida recently offered some inter-
esting "Oholera Pinpoints'",.covers from .Aessa to Genova, the stampless
covers dating 1830 and estimated at ',CO each. Those who collect World
War I material may like to know that he had a 1919 Polar Bear (Archangel
British Troopts marking in Siberia) Army Post Office priced at $C10,00,
also a similar one, marked "P. B" meaning Polar Bear, at the same estimate.

S. Serebrakian, N. Y. auctioned off some rare items, among these
some fine Consulars. The 1922 Consural, error church. 12M. on 3. og., v.f.,
signed, #if, also Consular 12C0 on 2.25R, word "TEWM inverted, signed, #7c,
also Consular 12COM on 3I. word "EMH inverted, signed, #8c-oll 3 valued
at %5CC.C, Good prices, if you can get them, The same auction house
presented an original sheet of 50 mint, of IR. brown orange, imporforato,
center inverted of #131a, valued at 5000,C0 and #131d, background double,
in the original sheet of 5C at $250,00.

Mercury Stamp Co., N. Y. showed a #I Russia 1857-10k. with 124C0
cancellation, among a group of other very interesting #iWs. Another item
that struck my fancy was 1890, special envelope for correspondence of tho
Czar, Arms & "Correspondenoo Imperiale" backstampod tBerlin Kabinetts-P. A."
This was estimated at $40C00,

F. R. Forryman, N. Y. offered a very nice item, a 1915 Fieldpost
cover cancelled Russ. Auto Corps in France, at %5.CC. While Frasek Co.
of whitee Flains, N. Y. sold censored covers and cards, prisoner of war
camps, Rod Gross of Torld War I, as well as allied material of Russia, and
other belligerents.

Mercury Stamp Co. of N. Y. previously mentioned presented two
outstanding auctions of the fioldpost covers of the world, including our
sphere of collecting. Among these were interesting Crimean Ter covers of
various bolliperentsp including a 1Ck. envelope of Russia, addressed to
Army headquarters, priced at $12.5C and which realized ^3.50. The Russo-
Turkish War, Russia, 1878, two covers, double FIEIDPCST KONTCR. From Sofia
and Tornowo, estimated at $.15e.C was purchased for $U14.5 by our member
Kurt Adler. Among the Russo-Japanese War items we found Russia #59; 19C4-
19C5, two covers with double circle FPILPCST CHARBIN canc., ome on 7k.
estimated at A25.CO. Inspection showed the cancellations to be unclear,
and these realized $12.50. There were two native covers from Manchuria,
with different fieldpost markings, estimated at $2C.C0, which realised8,25,
also 19C5, ##42, 59, and 6'wtwo money letters cancelled FIE1FCST No. I
and NO. 28, with seals, estimated at .30O.C, which our Mr. Adler also pur-
chased for $8.25, a most reasonable price. There were likewise 1905 money
letter with #57, 57C(4) and //66, with violet FIEIDPCST NC. 4 cancellation
and seals estimated at ^20.C and which brought $7.CC. #570 (Cfff. in
China #14%, 1905 money lottor, with double circle FEIW3OST KCNTCR 6TH
SIBERIAB CRiPS and seals, estimated at 035.CC and bought for $13.CC. Three
fieldpost covers and two postcards, all with different 1905 Manchrian
markings, estimated at .25e00 brought $ll.CO, all of these mention going
to Mr. Adler. It was my pleasure to view all of those fine items in his
collection, and they were indeed interesting to study.

PHIIATEIC LIBRARY

To those who are interesting in building their philetolic libraries
on material pertaining to Russian philately I wish to state that tho sources
of philatelic literature are very meager. I obtained most of mine when a
number of great libraries wore broken in last ten years, from E. S. R. P.,
in London, from a number of English and American philatelic Literature
dealers, from specialized auction sales and few by trading. Most of those
) re printed in small numbers and thorefor are quite scarce.
Ui t^

One will find when building a philatelic library, that all of the
catalogues, handbooks and articles on their favorite subject are not
accurate and complete. This holds true for many of the early works.
On the other hand these early works contain also some useful information,
which cant be found elsewhere.

We will endeavor on the pages of this Journal to name the various
sources available for the philatelic literature and also try to separate
the worthwhile material from the while that is practically useless. We
will need therefore the help of all the readers to make this column
worth while.

COLIECTORS OF THE PAST

Breitfuss of St. Petersburg

by Herman, Horst. Jr.

This article written by well known philatelist and dealer in stamps
is reprinted from February 13, 1954 issue of the Western Stamp Collector.

Many are the names of the great collectors of the past, but few
indeed are the personal recollections of their philatelic activity. In
many cases, the rare stamps that they owned are still with us, still
bearing the pedigree "ex-Ferrary" or "ex-Hind" but to many present day
collectors, these philatelic immortals are almost forgotten.

It is the purpose of these few lines to rescue some of these great
men from the oblivion into which the passing years have consigned them.
In previous contributions, we have described the philatelic lives of two
famous collectors, the greatest collector of them all, Count Ferrary, and
the first of the great philatelic students, the Earl of Crawford.

We are indeed fortunate to have the personal reminiscences of one
of the old dealers, now himself long since departed, Charles J. Phillips.
In 1923's, in his house organ, Phillips, who knew all of philately's
great immortals, put on paper his own record of dealings with them, and
it is these notes on which this series is based today.

While the Earl of Crawford and Count Ferrary are fairly well known
today, deservedly of course, less known is the greatest Russian collector
of them all, Frederic Breitfuss, of St. Petersburg. At the turn of the
century according to Phillips, the Breifuss collection was one of the
finest in the world, ranking as third, with only the Ferrary collection
of Paris, and the Tapling collection of London exceeding it in value.
Since at this time the Ferrary collection was at its very height, the
esteem in which the Breitfuss collection was held can hardly be determined%

Breitfuss was truly an old school collector, having been born Sept.
16, 1851. He was fourteen when he took up stamp collecting in 1865.
Employed soon after in a business house in Marseilles, France, he made
the acquaintance of other collectors as well as dealers, and when the

46 44

Franco-Prussian 'ar of 1870 begun, thoopportunity to add to his
collection was really given him. As many French officers were called
to the colors, they found it necessary to pawn or sell their collections
in order to provide for their families in their absence. Breitfuss be-
came widely known as an avid and liberal buyer of anything philatelic.
A number of the collections bought from the pawnshops were sold "blind"
after the war when their owners did not return, but Brelfuss was always
willing to gamble on the contents, and almost everyone subsequently sold
ended up in his hands.

In 1873 business took Brolfuos to london, and it was there that he
made the acquaintance of Englands' leading collectors: T. K. Tcpl!ng,
Judgo Philbrick, and others. All the time he was purchasing stamps by
mail from the leading European dealers, and many rarities which in his
lifetime were subsequently worth in the thousands of dollars were pur-
chased by him for a more pittance.

Subsequent events took Breifuss back to Russia, and eventually he
ended up in 1877 in Ste Potorsburg, from which place he had started his
travels ten years before. Beck in Russia, circumstances continued to
favor Breifuss collections His father was Court Jeweller to the Czar, a
position which afforded him a considerable amount of influence, and this
influence tas frequently wielded on behalf of his son's hobby. Breitfuss
in subsequent years mentiond that as a gift, his father ordered from a
Leipzig dealer as many different stamps as uhe doelor could supjy at a
* sum equivalent to 259 ecohe Among them were the British Guiana 1862
typeset 10 and 20 values

Among the famous collections bought intact by Broitfuss was that of
Prince Gali-zin*Qotermann, purchased in 1887 for $7500, ns well as tne
then world famous cclloction of Thecdor Not ;haft the famous benker,
bought in 1898 for $35.CCO, This was then a philatelic purchase of tre-
mondcus magnitude. Tho Broifa.ss lines of 'ollccting were scroewhat along
the same lines as those of Earl of Crawford, Ho was not content with the
issued stamps, but sought as well essays, proofs, forgeries, covers,
locals, postal stationery and the like.

Soon after the turn of the century, Broifuss decided that he would
like his collection to go to the Russian nation if a suitable philanth-
ropic buer could be found who would purchase it. News of his plans
reached the ears of the Grand Duke, Alexis Michaelovich, himself a stamp
collector, and arrangements had just been completed for the Duke tc buy
it for presentation to a St.Petersburg museum when the Duke suddenly died.
Subsequently, a group of Russian collectors, fearing that if they did not
act the collection would be sold outside of Russia, offered Broitfuss the
sum of $165,000 for the stamps. This offer Broitfuss declined.

In 1907 Breitfuss decided to sell the collection, and there being no
Russian buyers at that time, it was offered to Phillips, Phillips imimed-
iately journeyed to Russia, and spent ten days valuing it, accompanied by
an assistant. Phillips soon found out that the value that Ereitfuss
attached to his collection of ontires (envelopes -nd postal cards) was
such a high figure that the purchase was impossible. It was nbcut this
time that these items were waning in popularity. However, Phillips did

44 47

purchase the collection of stamps, remarking that they were "contained
in 7'0 largo volumes, mostly cramined full almost to the point of bursting
the backs o

Phillips noted in the book before breaking up the collection some
of the Breitfuss gems, together with the prices that Breitfuss had paid
for them. These included in Switzerland a mint pair of 4 rappen Zurich,
purchased in 1881 for $20, and in the United States a mint pair of 30
1887 grilled all over, bought from Noens for l1.50. The 1847 issue
included a mint block of six. All of the great classic errors of differ-
ent countries were included, many of them having been purchased at from
".2.50 to S10.00 each.

Notes on "'Romeko Catalogue"

by R. &Slarevski

"Romeko's Catalogue Special des Timbres-Poste IE RUSSIE et des
Etats Issus de L'Ancien Empire Russe", illustrated edition was published
in 1927.

This thorough handbook, written in French, and well illustrated
includes besides Russia and States, the Baltic States, which formerly
were part of Russia.

In Russia proper it lists the telegraph stamps, the stamps issued
for the postmen, the "Specimen" stamps of the 2nd. and 3rd, charity
issues, the "Phrygien" overprints on the Romanov issue, & control-
revenue-postal savings stamps used for postage. There is also a section
listing the Kharkov Revolutionary overprints of 1920. The Soviet section
besides listing the "Consular Airmails", also lists numerous minor varieties
not recorded in other foreign catalogues.

Every section of the catalogue mentions numerous forgeries, all-
though not describing them. Various Army issues are well represented,
with varieties unlisted elsewhere. The Refugee Army of Constantinopole
separates the overprints made on various trident issues of Ukraina.

Russian Offices in China and Turkey include many errors known to
other catalogues. Ukrainian issues are broken down by tridents, as listed
in various European catalogues.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Batum, Georgia and Transcaucasia give a listin
to numerous issues, only known to collectors of the Russian items. The
"Mountain" or "Gornaya" Republic is listed also.

Locals of various Baltic states are completely covered.

Polish section includes Polish Corps and various Polish locals
issued in 1919-20's. Various German Occupation locals, not recognized
by many catalogues are illustrated and listed.

Fe highly recommend this handbook to collectors of Russia and
related fields.

4 44

	Cover
	Index
	The Rossica Society of Russian...
	Honorary members
	President's message by A....
	Editorial by Dr. G. B. Salisbu...
	Russian philately by E. Markov...
	Eugene M. Archangelsky: biography...
	Charity or semi-postal issues of...
	Russian America: postal history...
	Notes on book "stamps of the Levant...
	"USSR"-15 kop. soldier type of...
	Notes on Book "Rural-Posten Von...
	Vlasov Series
	Proofs of the Ukrainian overprints...
	Rossika philatelic exhibition in...
	Advertising
	Thematic collecting by Dr. B. S....
	Philatellic literature by...
	Notes on book "J. B. Moens Catalogue...
	Notes of the Russian chief of post...
	The auctioneer by Dr. G. B....
	Philatelic library by R. Sklar...
	Collectors of the Past-Breitfuss...
	Notes on book "Romeko catalogue"...

MILLISECOND	CLASS.METHOD	MESSAGE
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Application State validated or built
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor	Navigation Object created from URI query string
0	sobekcm_database.verify_item_lookup_object
0	sobekcm_page_globals.display_item	Retrieving item or group information
0	sobekcm_page_globals.get_entire_collection_hierarchy	Retrieving hierarchy information
0	sobekcm_assistant.get_entire_collection_hierarchy
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation
0	cached_data_manager.retrieve_item_aggregation	Found item aggregation on local cache
0	item_aggregation_builder.get_item_aggregation	Found 'all' item aggregation in cache
0	system.web.ui.page.page_load (ufdc.page_load)
0	sobekcm_page_globals.constructor.on_page_load
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_style_references	Adding style references to HTML
0	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Reading the text from the file and echoing back to the output stream
107	html_echo_mainwriter.add_text_to_page	Finished reading and writing the file