Russia's "Lozenges Of Varnish" - I'm Confused..........

In working with the plethora of early Russian stamps, I came across the phrase "lozenges of varnish". Even after doing internet research I'm still confused......

Was this simply a coating of the stamp, or an imprint for the issues of 1917-1918?

To add to my confusion, I have a number of the same stamps with an imprint of what could be an intricate "W" or similar.

Please help!

Thank you!!

May I add......... the overprint is sometimes called a Trident. It seems this was used on stamps for other areas (i.e. Ukraine), and somehow with the "Wrangle Army".

Can anyone bring sense to this?

From 1909, Russian stamps of the arms type appeared with lines of varnish on the face of the stamp, in a lozenge pattern. You can find varnished surfaces on other issues, such as those of Austria.

There are various printings of the varnished issues, differing in the impression and colouring of the stamps. Stamps also appeared in imperforated form.

There is a range of trident overprints used in various parts of Ukraine. Forged overprints and postmarks are common.

Thank you!

So "varnish" really does mean "varnish" - the stuff that furniture is coated with.........

While I'm here, what about these same early Russian stamps with overprints of a 5 pointed star and "Pxxx" on them?

Well, that's the philatelic terminology. Usually used to prevent washing and reuse of the stamp.

The star with hammer-and-sickle overprints date from 1922-23 - the Soviet government was still using up old stamps from the Tsarist era, whilst having to take account of the depreciation of the currency.

GeoffHa,
Thank you! So is it safe to say that the Russian stamps with the star hammer/sickle overprints were only for Russian usage? Said another way, would they be only cataloged to Russia?

Thank you!