The stamps of Carpatho-Ukraine, 1939-1945, Background
The stamps of Carpatho-Ukraine, 1939-1945, The National Assembly Issue
The stamps of Carpatho-Ukraine, The Yasinia Local Trident Overprints
The stamps of Carpatho-Ukraine, The Uzhhorod Provisional Overprints
The National Council Definitive Issues
Like most overprinted issues, the Uzhhorod Provisionals were merely a temporary expedient. This fact was noted by the NRZU and preparations were soon made to produce subsequent issues using local resources.
Beginning in May 1945, three separate definitive series were issued for Carpatho-Ukraine. All stamps were printed by offset lithography at Litografia Lam in Uzhhorod, and are perforated 11½ (imperforates exist of all values). Shade variations (from light to dark) are common, sometimes occurring within the same sheet. Gum was applied by hand and varies in color, quality, and consistency. Traces of gum can sometimes be found on the face of stamps, indicating that the gum was applied after printing. Perforation varieties of many types are known to exist, and are especially abundant on the second definitive issue. Most stamps also have plate numbers and/or inscriptions in the sheet margin, thus increasing the number of collectible varieties.
All three definitive series reflected the communist-oriented nature of the National Council. Each stamp has a hammer and sickle incorporated into its design, and most stamps also display a socialist star.
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. 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. The schematic in Figure 22 shows the distribution of Types within the 60f sheet.
Figure 22. Distribution of Types in the 60f sheet.
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, 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).
In addition, there was a trial printing of the 200f stamp in brown only (sheet of 50; 5 rows of 10), with the printer’s imprint in the upper left corner, but with no plate number. The right side of the sheet displays an 11th vertical column of tabs with stars (see Figure 25).
Figure 25. 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.
Second Definitive Issue. The second definitive series was issued in June of 1945 and consists of 6 values: 10f (dull yellow, bright yellow), 20f (grayish blue, bluish gray, gray), 40f (yellow green, dark green), 60f (bright red, brownish red), 100f (blue and brownish red), and 200f (brown and red); see Figure 26. Shades exist of all values. The earliest usage so far known is 11 June 1945. Figure 27 shows a cover mailed on 26 June 1945.
Figure 26. The Second NRZU Definitive Issue.
Figure 27. Manuscript cancellation dated 26.VI.945 on an official mail cover sent from Siltse
to Irshava. Note: franking consists of a single 10f stamp from the Second NRZU Issue.
All values were printed in sheets of 200, consisting of side-by-side panes of 100 (10 by 10) separated by a vertical gutter strip. Marginal markings are different on most values:
10f Plate number 1. next to lower left stamp of left-hand pane
Plate number 1.A. in gutter tab next to lower left stamp of right-hand pane
Printer’s Imprint ЛИТО-ЛАМ 1945. below last two stamps of right-hand pane
20f No marginal markings
40f Plate number 1 next to lower left stamp of left-hand pane
Plate number 1A in gutter tab next to lower left stamp of right-hand pane
Printer’s Imprint ЛИТО-ЛАМ 1945 below last two stamps of right-hand pane
60f Plate number 1 next to lower left stamp of left-hand pane
Plate number 1.A. in gutter tab next to lower left stamp of right-hand pane
No Printer’s Imprint
100f Plate number 1. next to lower left stamp of left-hand pane
Plate number 1.A. in gutter tab next to lower left stamp of right-hand pane
Printer’s Imprint ЛИТО „ЛАМ” 1945. below last two stamps of right-hand pane
Double vertical line in gutter; all marginal markings in blue
200f Same as 100f, but all marginal markings in brown
The variations in marginal markings present a possible printing sequence as follows:
20f, 60f, 40f and 10f, with the 100f and 200f printed last.
The 100f and 200f are also known with reversed colors (errors), i.e. 100f brown with brownish red numerals, and 200f blue with red numerals.
Perforation varieties are especially abundant in the Second Definitive Issue.
Third Definitive Issue. The third definitive series consists of the 10f (yellow) and 20f (shades of gray) values only (Figure 28). The stamps were issued in August of 1945. The designs are the same as the second definitive issue with the addition of tiny numerals ‘19’ and ‘45’ adjacent to the value panel. On the 10f value, portions of these numerals are occasionally obscured by overinking.
Figure 28. The Third NRZU Definitive Issue.
Both values were printed in sheets of 200, consisting of two panes of 100 (10 by 10) separated by a vertical gutter strip. The marginal markings resemble those of the second edition 100f and 200f stamps, but with smaller (italic) type and plate numbers changed to 2 and 2A (no periods). The imprint ЛИТО ЛАМ УЖГОРОД appears under stamps 99 and 100 (lower right) of the right-hand pane on both values. The intended purpose of the vertical lines in the gutter is clarified by the addition of “scissors” icons at the top and bottom.
Figure 29. Undated official cover mailed from Veliky Bereznyi bearing two Third NRZU Issue 20f stamps.
The stamps of Carpatho-Ukraine, Cancellations
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