Russia Postcard And Stamp Unidentified

I could use some help with these, they are part of my "what the heck is it" book. I believe they are both Russian. The one on the left is definitely from a post card and the one on the right appears unused. Any help with catalog numbers, identification or near value would be immensely appreciated. Thanks - Jeff

The label on the RHS
may be catalogued under

Russia~North West~Western Army

Your Russia Stationery cut square
would be around 1890 onwards, as the posthorn
has "thunderbolts" which were added around 1889

You'll need a specialists cat for stationery.

Both min CV

Hi Jeff, Your Western Army stamp is a forgery I'm afraid.

Nigel - just for my edification - how did you know that. Other than, by its feel I don't doubt it.

Hi Jeff, there's a number of reasons:

1. The paper is the wrong colour (but this is also true for some of the reprints).
2. The printing's not very clear (and again this is true for some of the later reprints).
3. The white line above the value 15 is the wrong shape.
4. The little flag shape to the top left of the first letter of Russkaya is the wrong shape.
5. The last letter of Russkaya is the wrong shape.

These stamps have a very murky past but the history of the period is fascinating. The leader of the Western Army was fairly typical of the colourful characters who emerged as leaders of factions in the Russian Civil War:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Bermondt-Avalov

Thanks for the course Nigel - still want to see that library.