FOCUS ON PHILATELY: Celebrating a decade of Ukrainian stamps (06/02/02)

FOCUS ON PHILATELY

by Ingert Kuzych

Celebrating a decade of Ukrainian stamps

Ukraine re-entered the mainstream of stamp-issuing countries on Sunday, March 1, 1992, with the release of a pair of colorful 15-kopiyka stamps. These two new issues were the first regular stamps released by a Ukrainian government in almost seven decades (since 1923). In addition, they were Ukraine's first-ever commemorative stamps.

On March 1 of this year (i.e., 10 years to the day), Ukraine released an elaborate, oversized 40-kopiyka postage stamp commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Modern Ukrainian Stamp Issuance. Depicted on this new stamp was a reproduction of the first of those two 1992 postage stamps that celebrated the 500th Anniversary of Ukrainian Kozakdom (Kozatstvo). The reproduced stamp is surrounded by a beautiful golden baroque border (Figure 1).

Since that exciting day in 1992 and through February 28 of this year, Ukraine has issued exactly 428 postage stamps (including 37 souvenir sheets). Although this philatelic output of 428 stamps does provide collectors with quite a bit of material to try and assemble, the total is not excessive and is pretty much in line with that of other European countries. In comparison, the United States has recently been issuing increasing numbers of stamps. Well over 100 stamps are released annually and a total of 400+ could easily be reached in just three years.

Unveiling Ukraine's first stamps

The Ukrainian Weekly correspondent Marta Kolomayets was there on February 27, 1992, when Ukraine's first stamps were unveiled at a Kyiv press conference. Present at the gathering were Larysa Khorolets, minister of culture; Volodmyr Chornyi, chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Center; and Vasyl Boyarchuk, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian State Committee on Communications. The pair of debut stamps marked two historic eras in Ukraine's glorious and often turbulent past. As mentioned, the first issue celebrated 500 Years of Kozakdom (1490-1990); the second honored the Centennial of Ukrainian Emigration to Canada (1891-1991).

Kyiv artist Oleksander Ivakhnenko, who designed both stamps, described the event as "a holiday for all of us," as he spoke at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Center.

According to Mr. Boyarchuk, a contest had been held the previous year to choose designs for new Ukrainian stamps. An artists' council was subsequently formed to prepare designs for future postal issues. Mr. Boyarchuk emphasized that "the issuance of our own stamps is yet another affirmation of Ukraine's statehood."

The first stamps were printed by the Goznak State Printing House in Moscow. Mr. Boyarchuk assured the press, however, that future stamps would be printed in other countries until Ukraine could establish its own facilities. Indeed, Ukraine's early stamps were produced in a number of countries, including Austria, Canada, Hungary, and Russia. Ukraine began printing its own stamps in 1994.

Description of the Kozak stamp and first day cover

Depicted on modern Ukraine's first stamp are three Kozaks standing in front of the emblem of the Zaporozhian Sich. The central figure is based on a traditional portrait of Hetman Dmytro Vyshnevetsky (Figure 2), the founder of the Zaporozhian Sich and the historical counterpart of the legendary "Kozak Baida." This portrayal is further enhanced by the Kozak on the left holding a bunchuk (part of a hetman's regalia), and by the Kozak on the right playing a kobza (a stringed instrument, forerunner to Ukraine's national instrument, the bandura). Kozak Baida is the subject of many Ukrainian folk songs and dumy, or historical ballads.

The Kozak emblem is flanked by the dates "1490-1990"; the entire design is surrounded by the Ukrainian text, "500 Years of Ukrainian Kozakdom." Underneath are the words "Poshta Ukrainy" (Ukraine Post), the numerals of value, and the year of printing, 1991.

A special first day of issue envelope was created for Ukraine's unique first stamp. The envelope cachet depicts a mounted Kozak hetman followed by a kobza player and standard bearer. Stamps affixed to this envelope to create first-day souvenir covers received an attractive circular postmark featuring a mounted Kozak with a rifle (Figure 3).

Designing Ukraine's first stamp

Artist Oleksander Ivakhnenko pretty much knew what elements he wanted to include in his historic stamp design. How to arrange everything, though, was the tricky part. Figure 4 shows one of his early stamp designs that prominently displayed the same three figures and the background emblem. The inscription wording, however, was far too small in addition to being composed of a rather jumbled font.

Figure 5 shows the approved stamp design. Note how the image was somewhat reduced to allow room for the text, year of printing and stamp value, all without appearing to crowd the overall design. Since the stamp was printed in Moscow, the approval text is in Russian. It reads: "We approve the issuance of this commemorative stamp '500 Years of Ukrainian Kozakdom.' We confirm the authenticity of the depiction and explanatory text. Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian State Committee on Communications, V.F. Boyarchuk, 9 November 1991." The bottom right also has a line with the words "Artist - Ivakhnenko O.A."

Some numbers

A total of 2.5 million copies of Ukraine's first stamp were printed, but not all that many ever entered circulation. One half of the quantity produced was designated for sale abroad to collectors. In addition, the 15-kopiyka value quickly went out of favor domestically as inflation and continually rising postal rates rendered the stamp obsolete. This issue is still easy to obtain and is relatively inexpensive. By contrast, some 1 million of the 10th Anniversary stamp were prepared and the cost of this lovely new issue is also quite low (only about a quarter).

As a matter of fact, Ukrainian stamps in general are not costly at all. The entire 10-year output of modern Ukrainian stamp issues may be obtained in mint (unused) condition for just a little over $200 (U.S.). Purchasing the last 10 years of U.S. stamps would cost a collector three or four times this amount.

While fairly inexpensive to get now, Ukrainian stamps, in my opinion, are likely to appreciate in value over time (unlike the modern stamps of many other countries). The reason is that Marka Ukrainy, Ukraine's stamp production firm, has consistently kept stamp quantities low. In general, only a few hundred thousand copies of each commemorative stamp are produced (the total of 1 million for the 10th Anniversary issue is actually quite unusual). As more collectors worldwide become aware of the beauty and subject content of Ukrainian stamps, interest is bound to increase. Additionally, once Ukraine's citizens become more prosperous, many will have the leisure and wherewithal to begin to collect. Increased demand will undoubtedly force prices upward.

So, if you've toyed with the idea of getting into Ukrainian philately, there's no better time than the present.

Queries continue to arrive as to where Ukrainian stamps may be obtained. The best and most complete source is Lemberg Stamps and Covers, P.O. Box 4054, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4S8, Canada. Additional sources of Ukrainian stamps may be found on the website of the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society: www.upns.org. The "Related Links" section at this site provides addresses of many dealers worldwide.

Ingert Kuzych may be reached at P.O. Box 3, Springfield, VA 22150 or by e-mail at: ingert@starpower.net.

| Home Page |