CCCP (USSR), 1933 Ethnography

I was first aware of this set in the past, a few to several years ago. Something brought it back to mind recently, and before long I ordered all twenty-one values, in two purchases, and from the same seller. This set is almost 100 years of age, and rather popular I imagine. All are used, however their having been cancelled to order(C.T.O.); although, there may be one, or two at most, that were actually, postally used, one at least of which I strongly suspect.

I have to wonder if any of these were used by the general population, not much if not at all, given this type of cancellation encountered, in this instance at least. My impression is that they were marketed to the world, outside the interior, and for revenue. So it had to be special, sensational even, and so it was.

Some of the stamps arrived still with their gums more or less intact, but most were without gum. All were restored, and to be seen here for the first time. Some are not centered well, although the designs are whole. One has a crease across its width, but unnoticeable. Otherwise, all are sound. I didn't rely solely on Scott in describing these, per area and group. The scenes within each are dynamic, all depicting daily life...

There are a few city names that start with NOVO. Personally, I am very biased towards Novosibirsk,

Any USSR specialist who knows whether CTO occurs with cancels other than Moscow, or maybe even Leningrad?

Not a specialist, just my experience: I've seen a few post-war ('40s and '50s) CTO's from Leningrad (and Moscow of course), but from about 1960 on, they all seemed to have been Moscow exclusively.

Stating that I see more than two that may have been postally used is tempting.

Design elements...

Depending on the number of them:
1, 21, 31, ... kopeyka;
2, 3, 4, 22, 23, 4, 32, 33, 34 ... kopeyki;
other kopeek.

In the example you use to show the design elements, it is one of them, so odna kopeyka (feminine).

the Cyrillics at the top read 'pochta' the N is a script Russian p, comparable to the Greek pi. The third symbol looks more like a script 4 and is the script ch. It has nothing in common with the y and the base of the letter is the lower end of the left vertical, where the base of the y is where the two diagonals cross..The m is a script t.

Some of these stamps were used by post offices...

My full MNH set is being auctioned by Raritan in August if you are interested.

Per the Basel strike, would those over the stamps themselves indicate a telegraphic usage?

This one is unique, also the only one of the physically widest values, 15k, oriented vertically. In addition, it is the one with a crease...

Factoid:

Many of these stamps can be found with both horizontal and vertical watermarks. The value is not affected in a significant way.

The 15K Uzbecks is found in two types with Type I having a design size of 48-49 x 22mm and Type II being 47.5 x 22mm.

The 15K Tadzhiks is found in two types with Type I having a design size of 48 x 22mm and Type II being 47.5 x 22mm.

This one seems to be the most dynamic, as I once saw them mounted on motorcycles instead...


Quite a lot of farming, just being outdoors even, I'd wager. There is a group of women behind the C.T.O., costumed as the one in the foreground. Would that I had found better, that less obstructive.

Who is the artist? I recall reading somewhere that this set, and one from Mongolia, were drawn by the same guy as did the classic Tuvan stamps.

I've no idea, of course, but stay tuned for the close-ups...