2019-12-04 Wed

Recently on November 15-16 2019, Dutch Country Auctions in Delaware took place where a set of two unique stamps was offered. The unusual offering is a set of two Russian Civil War-era provisional stamps locally produced in 1919 for postage in Gdov, Russia, a town situated near the western border shared with Estonia.

Little is known about these stamps. A 1934 Rossica article explains that as the Army of the North sought to occupy Gdov in 1919. The Bolsheviks retreated from the town, taking with them all of the stamps in the Gdov post office.

These provisional stamps were printed locally to fulfill the pressing postal need. The 30-kopeck stamp is printed on orange paper, and the 1-ruble stamp is printed on green paper. A black control mark is struck in a designated blank space on each stamp, and text across the top of the simple design reads “Temporary Postage Stamp of the Liberated Areas.”

Though the number of stamps issued is uncertain, the Rossica Article states that 6 stamps were issued which were available for only a few days. The stamps shown above depicts Russian inscription printed in black over yellow and orange with the denominations of 30 k and 1 P. The lot was offered an estimate of $1,500 to $2,000 for the set.

Image Courtesy: https://www.linns.com/

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.