Figure 19. The First NRZU Definitive Issue.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STAMPS OF CARPATHO-UKRAINE, 1939 and 1945
| The National Council Definitive Issues | Cancellations |
| First Definitive Issue | Censorship |
| Second Definitive Issue | Epilog |
| Third Definitive Issue | Conclusion |
First Definitive Issue
The first locally produced stamp issue (Figure 19) consisted of three values: 60f (red), 100f (various shades of blue), and 200f (deep blue and red). The stamps were released on 1 May 1945 and covers from the first day of issue have survived (Figure 20).
Figure 19. The First NRZU Definitive Issue.
Figure 20. First day of issue (1 May 1945) local Uzhhorod cover bears
perforate and
imperforate 60f stamps of the First NRZU Issue. Note boxed censor marking in
lower left.
The sheet layout of the 60f and 100f is similar to that employed for Czechoslovak commemorative issues of the 1930s, i.e. sheets of 50 consisting of 7 rows of 8 with tabs in the first and last positions of the bottom three rows. Plate number 1. appears in the lower left tab. On the 100f value only, the printer’s imprint ЛИТО ЛАМ 1945. appears below (or sometimes in) the lower right tab.
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The 60f value exists in two types, determined by the position of the П in ПОШТА. In Type I the П is directly above the О, while in Type II the П is shifted slightly to the right (see Figure 21). The schematic in Figure 22 shows the distribution of Types within the 60f sheet. |
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Type II |
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Figure 21. |
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There were two formats for the 200f. What is believed to have been the first printing was prepared as a sheet of 50 (5 rows of 10). The second printing was a sheet of 60 (5 rows of 11 + 1). A tab with a red star was placed between the 11th and 12th stamps of each row, thus forming a vertical gutter (Figure 23). In the sheets of 50, the lower left stamp has both the plate number
1 in the left margin and the printer’s imprint ЛИТО. ЛАМ 1945. in the bottom margin. The sheets of 55 + 5 also have these markings by the lower left stamp, as well as the plate number 1A in the bottom starred gutter tab, next to the last stamp in the sheet.Some sources report that the second printing sheet layout contained 55 stamps: 5 rows consisting of 10 stamps, a gutter tab with a red star, and then an 11th stamp. This information is incorrect and is probably
due to simple miscounting.
Figure 23. Strip from a sheet of 60.
Some sheets of the first edition have a variant printer’s imprint ΛИТО ΛАМ 1945. Note the use of Greek-style "L"s and the absence of periods, as well as different forms of other letters and numbers, especially the "M" and the "4" (Figure 24).
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Essays for the 60f and 200f stamps are known. The 60f essay is in black on thin parchment paper. The numerals are in a different style, and the communist insignia (star, hammer & sickle) are missing from the background; see Figure 25. In the 200f essay the numerals again are different and this time are placed lower, next to the fist. The essay is in a single color – brown (sheet of 50; 5 rows of 10). The printer’s imprint is in the upper left corner, but there is no plate number. The right side of the sheet displays an 11th vertical column of tabs with stars (see Figure 26).
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Figure 26. Single-color essay, variety printed on security paper used for school report cards. |
An abbreviation of the designer’s name "Т. МОШК.” (for T. Moshkovich) appears beneath each stamp of this set.
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