The Postal History of Russia

The page will contain important information regarding the postal history and postal stationery of Russia, in detail for the issues of the Empire. In the moment, printed and online information is present, as well as useful addresses. On separate pages I show some items, which are of interest for me or which I want to sell.

If anybody could help me to fill the many gaps of this page, please send me an e-mail.

Literature

In this section you will find the monographs which are of greater importance for Russian postal history; a summary of the content is added for some references. This page is for sure incomplete and I'll be happy about every hint regarding important references given to me. The monographs are listed in alphabetical sequence of the author names - in the areas Stamps, Postal history, Postal stationery, Postmarks, Tariffs. In addition you will find here catalogues and journals, which are related to Russian philately and postal history.

If you are interested in more specialized literature I would suggest to search on the webpage of the American Philatelic Research Library. In addition, Michael Kuhn put together the literature dealing with Russian philately.

The mentioned literature can be bought partially from specialized dealers and partially from philatelic societies. Prices (if mentioned) are without postage and are not necessarily the cheapest possibility to acquire the book. In addition they may be cheaper in conjunction with a membership in the society which issued the book. Monographs without supplier addresses are available only second-hand. Addresses of philatelic libraries and postal museums are included too.

What's ?

Kuhn M.; Facts on Russian philately. 3rd edition Bamberg, 2007 : Russian collecting areas, literature, auction catalogues, journals and their development, biographical notes on philatelists. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 37.50
Standard Collection, The Russian Empire. Specialized catalogue of postage stamps 1845-1917, color catalogue, St. Petersburg 2007, 1st edition, hardbound, 184 pp., prices in US$, in Russian and English. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 54.00
Winokurov, Ardalion & Epstein, Alexander, Russian Fieldpost 1914-1918, Handbook and Catalogue, Moscow 2007; in Russian, introduction and register also in English; can be obtained from the authors ([email protected], [email protected]) for Euro 30.00

Stamps

Artuchov A.; Zemstvo Postage stamps of Imperial Russia. 1st. edition in five volumes 1987 - 2004, a sixth volume shall follow; in English language, ~1000 pages; handbook and catalogue series; price around US$ 35.00 for each volume from the author itself -- e-mail: [email protected] or from Philabooks for Euro 33.50 - 35.00 each.
Chuchin, A.; Russia Zemstvos. 1988 edition (reprint) of the 1925 original text, listing 2500 stamps, but with many hundreds of additional illustrations at the right place of the text, making Zemstvo identification easy for the first time. In English language, 92 pages, it can be ordered directly from J. Barefoot Ltd. for ~£ 9.00 (US$ 14.00)
Ebnet, Christian; Russland 1857-1917, Die staatlichen Postwertzeichen des kaiserlichen Russland - Ein Spezialhandbuch (1992), 145 pages. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 30.00
Fomin; Briefmarken Russland 1908-1923, Tauschkontrollmarken 1922-1933, Katalog-Handbuch, (1997), 292 pages. Very detailed and specialized publication. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 85.00
Standard Collection, The Russian Empire. Specialized catalogue of postage stamps 1845-1917, color catalogue, St. Petersburg 2007, 1st edition, hardbound, 184 pp., prices in US$, in Russian and English. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 54.00
Zagorsky, V.; The First Russian Postage Stamps. History of the Issue; Catalogue in Russian and English, 84 pages in color, issued by Standard Collection, St. Petersburg 2007. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 18.00

Postal history

Bazilevich K.V.; The Russian Posts in the XIX Century (1987). Translated by Dave Skipton. Can be bought from the Rossica Society of Russian Philately for US$ 50.00 or from Philabooks for Euro 50.00
Dobin & Ratner; From the History of the Saint-Petersburg Post 1703-1914, (2004). Postal history and postmarks of St. Petersburg, presented on 344 pages in Russian and English. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 28.00
Hofmann H. von, 3AKA3HOE - Recommandirt, Die eingeschriebenen Postsendungen im Kaiserreich Russland von Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum Ende des ersten Weltkrieges 1918 (1993), 320 pages with numerous figures, in German, an English Addendum is available. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 40.00
Kupec, Hans; Postgeschichte Kaiserreich Russland, Volume I ,185 pages, Sinzing 2006. Aspects of the postal history of the czaristic empire. Can be bought from the author directly ([email protected]) for Euro 75.00 / 95.00 as softbound or hardbound.
Levin, Arnold; The Mute Cancellations of Russia 1914-1917. Mr. Levin devoted a large portion of his life to the collection of and study of mute cancels used in Russia. He published extensively in Soviet philatelic literature on the subject. This publication is the first book in English work to cover the subject. There are two parts to this effort containing 371 pages loaded with pertinent information. The number of illustrations is staggering approximately 1500 in all. Can be bought from the Rossica Society of Russian Philately for US$ 45.00
Michaelove, Skipton D.; Postal Censorship in Imperial Russia…1714 - 1917 . 2 volumes. Can be bought from Philatelic Bibliopole for US$ 65.00
Prigara S.V.; The Russian Post in the Empire, Turkey, China and the Post in The Kingdom of Poland. Translated by Dave Skipton. 196 pages. Can be bought from the Rossica Society of Russian Philately for US$ 40.00 or from Philabooks for Euro 50.50
Speeckaert, Russische Postzensur / Russian Postal Censorship 1914-1918 (1990), Handbuch und Katalog, in German and English, 320 pages incl. 7 pages with maps, all postmarks are shown and prices are given, complete with supplement from 1997. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 42.50
Van der Linden, Marques de passage - Postvertragsstempel (1993), Supplement (1999); introduction in French and German, the well-illustrated main part is in French, but is easy to understand; the bible for those interested in border-crossing mail and the related marks, the original book and the supplement can be bought separately or in one book, for example from Philabooks for Euro 130.00
Winokurov, Ardalion & Epstein, Alexander, Russian Fieldpost 1914-1918, Handbook and Catalogue, Moscow 2007; in Russian, introduction and register also in English; can be obtained from the authors ([email protected], [email protected]) for Euro 30.00

Postal stationery

Epstein, Alexander; Postal Stationery of Russia and its Dependencies (1845-1922), Volume 1, Issues of the central postal administration for the Russian Empire, volume 2, Issues for special areas; VIII and 96 pages, II and 126 pages; as CD with pdf file or printout, The Rossica Society of Russian Philately, 2007. CD can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 45.00
Iljushin, A. C. & Forafontov O. W.; Catalogue of the postal stationery of the Russian Empire 1845 - 1917; 212 pages, Moscow 2007; edited by the Russian Society for Postal Stationery
Lapkin A.A.; Postal stationary of the Russian Post 1845-2000, Moscow 2001, with the help of Forafontow, Ilujschin, Pantjuchin, and Jemeljanow, 67 pages with figures and prices in Rubels, text in Russian. Can be bought from Philabooks.
Michel Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa Ost 2004/2005 Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2004, Euro 64.00
Nebenzahl, Es muß nicht immer ein Wertstempel sein, Russlands Postkartenformulare von 1872-1926. 96 pages. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 16.50.

Postmarks

Baillie I.L.G., Peel E.G.; St. Petersburg: The Imperial Post - its postmarks and other postal markings 1765 -1914 . Can be bought from the British Society of Russian Philately for £ 34.00
Combs G., Warr N.; A Study of the Postmarks of Moscow, 1765-1917, Part One. It comes in at nearly 300 pages with many illustrations of the more elusive items. This is the definitive effort on Moscow postmarks. Can be bought from the Rossica Society of Russian Philately for US$ 50.00
Dobin; Postmarks, The Russian Empire - Pre-Adhesive Period, (2002), 2nd edition, in Russian and English, 425 pages, Hardcover. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 37.50
Dobin / Ratner; From the History of the Saint-Petersburg Post 1703-1914, (2004). Postal history and postmarks of St. Petersburg, presented on 344 pages in Russian and English. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 28.00
Imhof; Die Poststempelformen in St. Petersburg von 1766-1914 (1976), issued by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Russland/UDSSR, Postmark catalogue with all postmarks depicted. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 16.00
Kiryushkin A.V., Robinson P.E.; Russian Postmarks, An Introduction and Guide (1989), Postmark catalogue, 110 pages with figures and maps. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 19.50 or directly from the author Philip Robinson
Kiryuskin A.V., Robinson P.E.; Russian Railway Postmarks (1994), 180 pages with figures and information given the rarity of the different postmarks. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 33.50 or directly from the author Philip Robinson
Levin A.; The Mute Cancels of Russia, 1914-1917 (2002). Translated by David Skipton. There are two separately-bound parts to this effort containing 371 pages loaded with pertinent information. The number of illustrations is staggering approximately 1500 in all. Can be bought from the Rossica Society of Russian Philately for US$ 45.00 (for members) or from Philabooks for Euro 70.00
Speeckaert, Russische Postzensur / Russian Postal Censorship 1914-1918 (1990), Handbuch und Katalog, in German and English, 320 pages incl. 7 pages with maps, all postmarks are shown and prices are given, complete with supplement from 1997. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 42.50
Tchilinghirian S.D. & Stephens W.S.E., Stamps of the Russian Empire Used Abroad, Six Parts. Part One, Constantinople, The Danubian Principalities, Bulgaria and Roumelia, 1957; Part Two, The Black Sea & Aegean Ports, Syrria, Palestine, Eypt, Crete, Ship Mial in the Levant, 1958; Part Three, Persia, The Khanates of Bukhara & Khiva, Sin-Kiang, 1959; Part Four Uryankhai, Mongolia, China Proper, The Lyaotung Leasehold, 1959; Part Five, Manchuria, Chinese Eastern Railway, 1959; Part Six, Ship Mail to Korea & Japan, Russian America, Supplement, 1960; still the bible for used abroad postmarks. Can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 50.00 each
Van der Linden, Marques de passage - Postvertragsstempel (1993), Supplement (1999); introduction in French and German, the well-iilustrated main part is in French, but is easy to understand; the bible for those interested in border-crossing mail and the related marks, the original book and the supplement can be bought separately or in one book, for example from Philabooks for Euro 130.00
Winokurov, Ardalion & Epstein, Alexander, Russian Fieldpost 1914-1918, Handbook and Catalogue, Moscow 2007; in Russian, introduction and register also in English; can be obtained from the authors ([email protected], [email protected]) for Euro 30.00

Tariffs

Kupec, Hans; Postgeschichte Kaiserreich Russland; Tariffs within Russia (Volume II) and abroad (Volume III), each volume with 200 pages. Sinzing 2006. Each volume can be bought directly from the author ([email protected]) for Euro 79.00 / 99.00 as softbound or hardbound.

Catalogues

Kuhn M.; Facts on Russian philately. 3rd edition Bamberg, 2007 : Russian collecting areas, literature, auction catalogues, journals and their development, biographical notes on philatelists. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 37.50
Michel Europa-Katalog, Bd.7, Osteuropa 2008/2009 Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2008, Euro 48.00
Michel Russland-Spezial-Katalog 2005/2006 Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2005, Euro 56.00
Michel Sowjetunion-Spezial-Katalog 2007 Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2006, Euro 148.00
Michel Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa Ost 2004/2005 Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2004, Euro 64.00
Michel Ganzsachen-Katalog Europa bis 1960 (Ost und West) Schwanenberger Verlag München, 2008, Euro 68.00
Standard Collection, Russia stamps 1857-1960, color catalogue, 2004, 2nd edition, hardbound, 197 pp., included the main stamps and subtypes, plate faults enlarged, prices in US$, prices for nh from 1866 (!), in Russian with English introduction. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 33.00
Standard Collection, The Russian Empire. Specialized catalogue of postage stamps 1845-1917, color catalogue, St. Petersburg 2007, 1st edition, hardbound, 184 pp., prices in US$, in Russian and English, with pdf file on CD. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 54.00
Standard Collection, Specialized Catalogue of Postage Stamps. Vol. 4. RSFSR. 1918–1923. 2nd edition.
Standard Collection, Russia 1923-40 specialized catalogue. Vol. 5, 280 pp., in Russian, color, art paper, many extra illustrations of covers etc. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 32.50
Standard Collection, Russia cat. 1992-2003, in Russian, stamps, fdc and postal stationery, 171 pp., hardbound. It can be bought from Philabooks for Euro 20.00

Journals, issued nowadays

"Rossica" Journal of Russian Philately; published by the Rossica Society of Russian Philately (USA), Editor Jeff Radcliffe, last issue: no. 151 (fall 2008); the whole part which was issued in English (issue no. 44 and higher) can be bought as pdf files on CD; pdf files of the issues 44 (1954) to 136 (2001) can be obtained here.
"British Journal of Russian Philately"; published by the British Society of Russian Philately, Editor Dennis Page, last issue: no. 96/97 (November 2007); back issues (issues no. 48 - 85) can be obtained
"Zeitschrift der Philatelistischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Russland/UdSSR"; published by the Philatelistische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Russland/UDSSR e.V im Bund Deutscher Philatelisten e.V. (BDPh), Editor Thomas Berger, last issue: no. 90 (November 2008); the English version of many articles can be found on the webpage; back issues can be obtained from Albert Pflüger ([email protected]) or the issues 1 - 87 can be obtained on DVD; in German
"Filatelija"; in Russian
"Postal stationery Almanac", published by the Russian Postal Stationery Society since 2005; address of the editor: 10385 Moscow, GSP-3, ul. Tverskaja, d.12, str.2; E-mail: [email protected]; in Russian

Journals, no more issued

"The Post-Rider"; published by the Canadian Society of Russian Philately; back issues can be obtained from the editor (Andrew Cronin, [email protected]) for US$ 5.00 - 10.00; printed issues are nos. 1 (1977) to 60 (2007)
"Journal of Classical Russian Philately"; published recently by the Society for Classical Russian Philately; back issues can be obtained from Philabooks for Euro 20.00 - 35.00 each.

Where can I buy literature?

A rich source of second-hand literature are the auction catalogues. In addition, dealers specialized in philatelic literature may have what you need. Here are some:

Phil Bansner, P.O. Box 2529, West Lawn, PA 19609, USA -- Phone: +1 610 678 5000 -- Fax: +1 610 678 5400 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Eric Jackson, P.O. Box 728, Leesport PA 19533-0728, USA -- e-mail: [email protected]
Philatelic Bibliopole Leonhard Hartmann, P.O. Box 36006, Louisville, Ky 40233, USA -- Phone: +1 502 451 0317 -- Fax: +1 502 459 8538 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Stanley Gibbons Publications Ltd, 5 Parkside, Christchurch Road, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3S, England -- Phone: +44 1425 472 363 -- Fax: +44 1425 470247 -- e-mail: [email protected] or for philatelic literature [email protected]
Vera Trinder Ltd., 38 Bedford Street, Strand, London WC2E 9EU, United Kingdom -- Phone: +44 20 7836 2365/6 -- Fax: +44 20 7836 0873 -- e-mail: [email protected].
Stephen and Judith Holder, HH Sales, The Barn, Heaton Royds, Shay Lane, Bradford, BD9 6SH, United Kingdom -- Phone: +44 1274 544 446-- Fax: +44 1274 545 634 -- e-mail: [email protected]
J. Barefoot Ltd., P. O. Box 8, York YO24 4AR, United Kingdom -- Phone: +44 1904 654241 -- Fax: +44 1904 656906 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Pennymead, David Druett, 1 Brewerton Street, Knaresborough HG5 8AZ, United Kingdom -- Phone: +44 1423 865962 -- Fax: +44 1423 865962 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Philabooks, Burkhard Schneider - Postgeschichte & Antiquariat, Postfach 1728, D-63557 Gelnhausen, Germany -- Fax: + 49 6051 47 19 96 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Phillit, SCHWANKE & PARTNER - Philatelistische Literatur, Kleine Reichenstraße 1, D-20457 Hamburg, Germany -- Phone: +49 40 324457 -- Fax: +49 40 331330 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Richard Hummel, Johannisallee 16, D-04317 Leipzig, Germany -- Phone: +49 341 9904401 -- Fax: +49 341 9904402 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Versandantiquariat Weiermüller, Beethovenstr. 24, D-50674 Köln, Germany -- Phone: +49 221 9233100 or +49 221 230960 (Monday to Friday 15.00 - 20.00) -- Fax: +49 221 9233102 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Philatelic Bookstore -- On this page you can look for philatelic literature which is currently available via nine different online book dealers
Advanced Book Exchange and Bibliofind -- Two large sources of Out of Print Books

Where can I borrow philatelic literature?

APRL, American Philatelic Research Library, P.O. Box 8000, State College, Pennsylvania 16803, USA. -- Fax: +1 814 237 6128 -- searchable catalogue
Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, 235 Wellesley Street at Regis College, Weston MA 02493, USA --Phone: +1 781 768 8367 --Fax: +1 781 768 7332 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Smithonian National Postal Museum, Library and Research Center, 2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002, USA -- Phone: +1 202 357 2991 -- Fax: +1 202 633 9849 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Western Philatelic Library, Raynor Activity Center, Building 6, Room 6, 1500 Partridge Ave, Sunnyvale, CA, USA -- Phone: +1 408 733-0336 -- e-mail: [email protected]
The Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20540, USA -- Phone: +1 202 707-5000 -- e-mail: [email protected]
The British Library, Philatelic Collections, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom -- Phone: +44 171 412 7635 -- e-mail: [email protected] -- 09.30 - 16.00 Monday - Friday. By appointment.
Philatelistische Bibliothek München, Rosenheimer Str. 5, D-81667 München, Germany -- Phone: +49 89 48098 291 -- Fax: +49 89 48098-248 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Philatelistische Bibliothek Hamburg e.V., Schlossstrasse 12, D-22041 Hamburg, Germany -- Phone: +49 40 251 23 40 -- e-mail: [email protected]

A list of some philatelic US libraries is found here.

Philatelic societies, in addition, possess very focussed libraries dedicated to Russian philately and postal history.

Addresses

Dealers and auction houses

A large part of the fine Russian postal history material is offered by European auction houses and dealers:

CORINPHILA, Zollikerstr. 226, CH-8034 Zürich, Switzerland -- Phone: +41 1 389 91 91 -- Fax: +41 1 389 91 95 -- e-mail: [email protected]
David Feldman, 175 route de Chancy, CH-1213 Onex/Genève, Switzerland -- Phone: +41 22 727 07 77 -- Fax: +41 22 727 07 78 -- e-mail: [email protected] -- offering now online auctions
Heinrich Köhler, Wilhelmstr. 48, D-65183 Wiesbaden, Germany -- Phone: +49 611 393 81 -- Fax: +49 611 393 84 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Nagl Auktion, P.O.Box 2104, D - 96012 Bamberg, Germany -- Phone: 0049 951 32500 -- Fax: 0049 951 302551 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Trevor Pateman, Unit 10, 91 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2NW, England -- Phone: 0044 (0)1273 772 922 -- e-mail: [email protected]

In America, there are additional auction houses and stamp dealers with a traditionally strong offer of Russian material:

Cherrystone Auctions, 119 West 57th Street, New York NY 10019, U.S.A. -- Phone: 1-800-886-9313 or 001 212 977-7734 -- Fax: 001 212 977-8653 e-mail: [email protected]
Raritan Stamps, P.O. Box 557, Dayton, NJ 08810-0557, USA -- Phone: 001 732 422 2124 -- Fax: 001 732 422 2125 -- e-mail: [email protected]
Loral Stamps, Leon Finik, P.O. Box 740521, Rego Park NY 11374-0521 -- Phone: 001 718 261-6971 -- Fax: 001 718 261-1838 -- e-mail: [email protected]

An additional possibility to buy Russia postal history items is via online auctions. Ebay offers interesting material from time to time. Be aware that internet auction houses like Ebay do not have (and maybe do not want to have) any control with regard to the material offered. There are a lot of fakes and forgeries sold there. A continuously running forum for Russia fakes and forgeries offered on Ebay is given on the Rossica webpage. Be informed and know more about your area of philatelic interest than the producer of the fakes!

Auction dates

no auctions in the moment

Examinator and experts

The following examinators belong to the German Bund philatelistischer Prüfer:

At present there are no BPP examinators for the Russia area.

The following international experts belong to the Association Internationale des Experts en Philatélie and are spezialized in Russia or related fields:

BUCHSBAYEW, Dr. Paul , 119 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA -- e-mail: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Russia and Soviet Union
CRONIN, Andrew, P.O. Box 5722, Station ‘A’, Toronto, Ontario, M5W 1P2, Canada -- e-mai: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Russia: postage stamps and postal history; Carpatho-Ukraine; Mongolia: stamps and postal history
DOBIN, Manfred, P.O. Box 77, RUS-195426 St. Petersburg, Russia -- e-mail: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Russia: prephilatelic period 1750-1858
GREIS, Prof. Dr. Ortwin, Brandheide 16, P.O. Box 218, D-21224 Rosengarten / Germany -- e-mail: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Imperial Russia: Zemstvo - stamps and postal history; paper seals and free-frank mail; postal stationery
von HOFMANN, Harry, Postfach 560156, D-22551 Hamburg, Germany -- e-mail: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Latvia: postal history, including Smilten and Eleja;; Imperial Russia: only Wenden
MIKULSKI, Dipl.-Ing. Zbigniew, Kammelenbergstraße 15, CH-9011 St. Gallen, Switzerland -- e-mail: [email protected] -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Poland; Russia
RODIN, Igor, Poste Restante, GPO, Moscow, Russia -- Current Areas of Specialisation: Soviet/Russian Space Mail

A separate page displays the signatures from examinators, experts, dealers and selected collectors.

David Rowell compiles here a list of examinators whose signatures can be found on Russian material.

Societies and Stamp clubs

The Rossica Society of Russian Philately, publishs the Rossica Journal of Russian Philately
The British Society of Russian Philately
Philatelistische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Russland/UDSSR e.V im Bund Deutscher Philatelisten e.V. (BDPh), publishs the "Zeitschrift der Philatelistischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Russland/UdSSR"

Postal museums

A.S. Popov Postal and Telecommunication Museum, St. Petersburg

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