FOCUS ON PHILATELY: Essential reading for Ukrainian philately (07/03/05)

FOCUS ON PHILATELY

by Andrew O. Martyniuk

"Introductory Handbook of Ukrainian Philately" by Ingert Kuzych. Springfield, Va.: Ukrainian Philatelic Resources, 2005. x + 160 pp. $18.

Essential reading for Ukrainian philately

Like many who began collecting stamps at a young age, I believed the extent of Ukrainian philately consisted of the pictures I saw depicted under "Ukraine" in my worldwide stamp album: the complete set of the five stamps of the Shahy Issue (Ukraine's first), most of the 14 stamps of the Vienna Issue - which interestingly enough were never used for postage - the four stamps of the Famine Issue, and a space (no picture) for the 20 hrv (hryvni) stamp. Western Ukraine had pictures for four of the stamps in the fairly common Third Stanyslaviv Issue; and for Carpatho-Ukraine, only one stamp was pictured, the National Assembly Issue.

To me, this represented the complete universe of Ukrainian postage stamps. I tried to get a copy of every stamp pictured, and eventually accomplished this for the Ukrainian and Western Ukrainian stamps pictured. However, the Carpatho-Ukrainian stamp eluded me. Every time I visited my neighborhood stamp dealer I would ask about the Carpatho-Ukrainian stamp, to no avail.

In my early collecting years, I also came across a number of Ukrainian cinderella stamps and Ukrainian scouting stamps. Although I realized that these were not really postage stamps, I never quite understood the place these faux "stamps" had in the world of Ukrainian stamp collecting.

As a teen, quite by accident, I learned of the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society, which I subsequently joined. As I began to receive the society's publications in the mail, I soon learned that there were many more Ukrainian stamps than I was ever aware of. And herein lies the problem.

Until recently in the United States, most albums and catalogues listed only the most commonly available Ukrainian material. More was alluded to, such as trident overprints, but little detail was provided. In fact, there were a large number of specialized books, monographs, catalogues, journal articles, etc., that dealt with specific areas of Ukrainian collecting.

However, the material was extremely diverse, appeared in publications of limited issuance and distribution, and was virtually inaccessible to the casual or novice inquirer. In short, there was no easy way to get the "big picture" of Ukrainian philately.

Thankfully, this situation was rectified in 1993 with the publication of the first edition of the Introductory Handbook of Ukrainian Philately by Dr. Ingert Kuzych. It appeared as a special issue of the Ukrainian Philatelist, the journal of the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society. Demand was so great that it was reprinted several times, selling out each time.

Why so popular?

One reason was Ukraine's independence in 1991, and its release of official postage stamps starting in 1992. Ukraine's return to the roster of stamp issuing countries initiated or reawakened interest in this country and its past stamp issuing history.

Apparently, there were many Ukrainian collectors in the same predicament I was - they were interested in Ukrainian collecting but did not know where to turn to learn about Ukrainian stamps. The handbook filled this need.

The situation is a bit different today with information on the Internet just a click away. Additionally, a number of excellent catalogue of classic and modern Ukrainian, Western Ukrainian and Carpatho-Ukrainian philately have been published in English, Ukrainian and other languages. However, for a succinct yet encyclopedic treatment of Ukrainian philately, the handbook continues to have no peer.

The revised edition of the "Introductory Handbook of Ukrainian Philately" has built on the success of the first edition. It now appears as a separate publication of 160 pages. As with the first edition, Dr. Kuzych authors the majority of the book, with significant assistance from six specialists in different areas of Ukrainian philately. Each chapter has been completely revised, and most were completely rewritten. Also, several new chapters were added.

So, what does the revised Handbook offer?

Part I of this handbook deals with classic Ukrainian philately - stamps issued through World War II. The first chapter provides a historic overview of the stamp issues discussed in subsequent chapters. Individual chapters deal with Zemstvo stamps, Trident overprints, Western Ukraine, Soviet Ukraine, Carpatho-Ukraine, Ukrainian government in exile and camp post issues, as well as private seals - cinderellas.

Unlike the first edition, the catalogue of classic Ukrainian stamps of Part II was replaced with chapters dealing with modern Ukrainian philately, modern Ukrainian provisional stamps Ukrainian topics on foreign stamps, and Ukrainian picture postcards. As before, the appendices provide useful information to collectors: a glossary of philatelic terms, an explanation of the Ukrainian alphabet and a list of noted Ukrainian collectors.

The handbook is printed in an easy to read, two-column format and is heavily illustrated. Chapters are short, easy to digest, and close with an extensive bibliography for those wishing more detailed material. The illustrations, for the most part, are exceptionally clear, with common as well as extremely rare items depicted.

It is often too easy to look at a book and find some fault with it. However, there is little of what is included with which I can find fault. One might question the insertion of the chapter on Ukrainian picture postcards, as this collecting area is not typically considered "philatelic." If postcards, then why not a chapter on Ukrainian numismatics, medals, etc? However, postcards are often sent through the post and thus are often stamped, becoming postal history.

On the other hand, one "philatelic" area that was not covered is seals or cinderellas of the post-World War II era. Only two avenues existed for Ukrainian collectors wishing to collect post-World War II material prior to 1992: Ukrainian topics on foreign stamps and seals/cinderellas. In the handbook, pre-World War II private seals/cinderellas are addressed, but sadly, this material is quite scarce, expensive and extremely difficult to obtain, unlike those of post-World War II.

Although these post-World War II "stamps" were never used to frank mail, Ukrainian scouting stamps (Plastova Poshta), the Ukrainian Underground Post (Pidpilna Poshta), etc., were often affixed to mail along with postage stamps, and represent broad areas for Ukrainian collectors. These "stamps" remain quite popular as evidenced by increasing prices and sales on eBay.

As this is an introductory handbook, novice collectors would benefit from even a short explanation of these issues, how and why they were produced, what they represented, how they were used and how they fit into the rubric of Ukrainian philately. Perhaps a future revision of the Handbook will address this often-overlooked area of Ukrainian philately.

Notwithstanding the comments above, the "Introductory Handbook of Ukrainian Philately" represents an excellent tool for both beginning and advanced collectors of Ukrainian philately. Dr. Kuzych has taken some of the most complex Ukrainian philatelic topics, synthesized available information, and presented concise, easy-to-read and understand chapters, while at the same time retaining an appreciation of the challenges that collecting and understanding this material presents.

If you enjoy Dr. Kuzych's monthly "Focus on Philately" submissions, you'll love this book. In summary, there is no other book available today that addresses all of the topics covered in the handbook, and it's not too big a stretch to label this book as a "must read" for both novice and experienced collectors.

The book is available from Ukrainian Philatelic Resources, P.O. Box 3, Springfield VA 22150 for $18, plus $3 for shipping to the U.S., $6 to Canada and overseas surface, or $11 overseas air.

Andrew O. Martyniuk has been collecting Ukrainian stamps for over 30 years and is the executive vice president of the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society.

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