Definitive stamps of the Soviet Union

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Vladimir Lenin on a Soviet definitive stamp of 1961. Designed by Pyotr Vasilyev [Wikidata] 1961 CPA 2575.jpg
Vladimir Lenin on a Soviet definitive stamp of 1961. Designed by Pyotr Vasilyev  [ Wikidata ]

Definitive stamps of the Soviet Union were the regular postage stamp issues produced in the USSR between 1923 and 1992.

Contents

First definitive issue

The inaugural release of the Soviet Union definitive stamps took place in October 1923, commonly referred to as the Gold Standard issue. These stamps prominently featured the busts of a worker, a Red Army man, and a peasant. Over the course of the years 1923 to 1926, the worker and soldier designs appeared on thirteen different stamps each, while the peasant design was featured on ten stamps. [1]

Other notable issues

In 1929, the Soviet Union released its third set of definitive stamps. This series featured updated images depicting male and female workers, male and female collective-farm workers, and a Red Army soldier. These designs reflected the significant societal transformations brought about by industrialization, collectivization, and the advancement of women's rights in the Soviet Union. Notably, the inclusion of the female worker and female collective-farm worker alongside their male counterparts marked the first appearance of women on Soviet stamps. [1]

With the progress of the socialistic economic programs, the representation of the major groups of Soviet society changed, moving from the more generic image of the earlier period. The worker was shown in the fifth issue of March 1939 as a steel foundryman and in the sixth issue of August 1939 as a miner. [1]

The last definitive series that begun in the Stalin period was the eighth issue (May 1948 to July 1957). It was remarkable by the fact that the scientist was for the first time portrayed on Soviet definitive stamps. In 1958, the engineer design appeared meaning that representatives of other Soviet labouring groups were also depicted on stamps. In 1961, a definitive stamp with the combine worker appeared. [1]

Summary of all issues

This table represents an outline of the overall USSR definitive issues produced in the Soviet and post-Soviet times (1923 – 1992).

Issue No.Dates CPA Catalogue No.Stamp
example
11 October 1923 – January 192899–194
251–270
275–280
The Soviet Union 1924 CPA 142 stamp (1st standard issue of Soviet Union. 3rd issue. Worker).jpg
2
October 1927 – October 1928281–295 1927 CPA 282.jpg
3
August 1929 – January 1941314–346 Stamp Soviet Union 1929 321.jpg
4
1936–1953556–559 Stamp 4 1937 558.jpg
5
March – August 1939667–669 The Soviet Union 1939 CPA 669 stamp (Arms of USSR).jpg
6
August 1939 – December 1956693–701 The Soviet Union 1939 CPA 694 stamp (Soldier).jpg
7
22 May 1948 – September 19541247–1255 Stamp 7 1948 1247.jpg
8
16 October 1948 – 19591379–1388 The Soviet Union 1949 CPA 1381 stamp (The eighth issue of definitive stamps. Aviator).jpg
9 [a]
18 August 1958 – March 19602217–2223 1958 CPA 2217.jpg
10
1 January 1961 – August 19662510–2520 Stamp 10 1961 2516.jpg
11
25 October 1966 – April 19693414–3437 Stamp 11 1966 3416.jpg
12
10 August – 17 December 1976
8 September – November 1977
4 August 1978
4599–4610
4733–4744
4853–4867
Stamp 12 1976 4600.jpg
13
1 December 1980
25 April 1982
12 December 1982
28 December 1982
20 May 1983
15 May 1984
5 September 1984
20 January 1986
25 June 1991
22 August 1991
19 November 1991
20 April 1992
5136
5287
5340
5357
5392
5510
5548–5551
5699
6332
5549А
6375
5549.I
The Soviet Union 1982 CPA 5287 stamp (13th standard issue of Soviet Union. 2nd issue. Spasskaya Tower and the headquarters of the Council of Ministers) 1200dpi.jpg
The Soviet Union 1982 CPA 5357 stamp (13th standard issue of Soviet Union. 4th issue. Forms of mail transport) 1200dpi.jpg
14
22 December 1988
25 December 1989
13 March – 25 June 1991
6013–6024
6145–6156
6298–6301
The Soviet Union 1989 CPA 6145 stamp (14th standard issue of Soviet Union. 2nd issue. Post rider) 1200dpi.jpg

See also

Notes

  1. Stamps of the 9th issue were in use till 1 April 1961.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Grant, J. (July 1995). "The socialist construction of philately in the early Soviet era". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 37 (3): 476–493. doi:10.1017/S0010417500019770. ISSN   0010-4175. JSTOR   179216.