Koltchak Army Stamps
The Kolchak Army, representing the anti-Bolshevik White Movement, operated primarily across Siberia and the Russian Far East during the Russian Civil War, making its postal history geographically diffuse across Eastern Europe and North Asia. These provisional issues, often overprinted on existing Russian Imperial or provisional stamps, reflect a period of extreme political fragmentation following the collapse of the Tsarist regime.
- Issued stamps
- 1919–1919
- Region
- Europe, Eastern Europe
- Currency
- RUB
- Languages
- Russian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Russia
About Koltchak Army stamps
The stamps predominantly feature the Russian language, utilizing the Cyrillic script, and document a brief, tumultuous period of governance that ended with the defeat of the White forces by 1922. This ephemeral postal system ceased operations as Soviet authority was established across the region.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Koltchak Army stamps
- Look for overprints on Russian Imperial or Provisional Government stamps, often in Cyrillic script, indicating 'Siberia' or specific local authorities under Kolchak's control.
- Examine the base stamp for its original design and watermarks to confirm it's a genuine Russian issue.
- Be wary of common forgeries; expertization is often recommended for higher-value items.
Popular series
-
Siberian Provisional Issues
1919
Overprinted stamps of Imperial Russia or Provisional Government issues, often with 'Siberia' or 'Kolchak' inscriptions.
-
Vladivostok Issues
1919
Stamps issued under Kolchak's authority in the Far Eastern regions, sometimes featuring local overprints.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1,000+
Value varies greatly depending on the specific overprint, base stamp, condition, and rarity of the provisional issue. Forgeries are common, especially of the more valuable overprints.
Catalogs. Koltchak Army stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Koltchak Army stamps
Koltchak Army stamps are provisional issues released during the Russian Civil War (1917-1922) by the anti-Bolshevik White Movement forces under Admiral Alexander Kolchak. These stamps were primarily overprints on existing Russian Imperial or Provisional Government stamps, used in territories controlled by Kolchak's forces, mainly across Siberia and the Russian Far East.
The value of Koltchak Army stamps varies significantly. Common overprints on readily available base stamps might be worth a few dollars, while rare overprints, specific varieties, or stamps used in certain localities can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Condition and authenticity are crucial factors, as forgeries are prevalent.
To identify Koltchak Army stamps, look for overprints, typically in Cyrillic, on Russian Imperial or Provisional Government stamps. These overprints often indicate the issuing authority or region, such as 'Siberia' or specific cities under Kolchak's control. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Koltchak Army stamps are listed in major international catalogs such as Scott (under Russia, Civil War Issues), Michel (under Russland, Bürgerkriegsausgaben), and Stanley Gibbons (under Russia, Civil War Issues). Specialized catalogs focusing on Russian philately will provide even more detailed listings and varieties.
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