Russian Army of the West Stamps
The Russian Army of the West, also known as the Russian Western Army, was a short-lived military formation operating in Eastern Europe during the Russian Civil War, primarily active in the Baltic region. This entity was not a sovereign nation but a White Army force that issued provisional postage stamps between 1919 and 1920 to facilitate mail service within the territories it controlled, mainly in modern-day Latvia and Lithuania.
- Issued stamps
- 1919–1919
- Region
- Europe, Eastern Europe
- Currency
- RUB
- Languages
- Russian
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Russia
History and background
The stamps typically feature Cyrillic script, reflecting the Russian language of the military administration, and their issuance ceased with the ultimate defeat of the army by Bolshevik forces. These issues are significant as ephemeral wartime provisional postal instruments rather than standard national issues.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for Cyrillic inscriptions, often 'Русская Западная Армия' (Russian Western Army) or similar military designations.
- Many stamps are overprints on existing Russian Imperial or Provisional Government issues.
- Examine the paper, printing method, and perforations for consistency with early 20th-century provisional issues.
Popular series
-
Provisional Issues
1919
Overprinted Russian Imperial stamps or locally produced designs, often featuring Cyrillic inscriptions indicating their provisional nature and military authority.
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
- $20–$100
- Scarce stamps
- $200–$1,000+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific overprint, and rarity of the underlying stamp. Forgeries are common, so expert authentication is crucial for higher-value items.
Catalogs. Russian Army of the West 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 Russian Army of the West stamps
Russian Army of the West stamps are provisional postage stamps issued by a White Army force during the Russian Civil War, primarily in parts of Latvia and Lithuania, between 1919 and 1920. They were used to facilitate mail service within the territories controlled by this military formation.
Yes, Russian Army of the West stamps can be quite valuable, especially rare varieties, specific overprints, or those in excellent condition. Common examples might range from $20-$100, while rare items can fetch hundreds or even over a thousand dollars. Due to their provisional nature and historical context, they are highly sought after by collectors of Russian Civil War and Baltic philately.
To identify Russian Army of the West stamps, look for Cyrillic inscriptions indicating the military authority, often overprinted on earlier Russian stamps. Pay attention to the specific overprint text, colors, and the underlying stamp. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Russian Army of the West stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott (often under Russia or Russian Civil War issues), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. Specialized catalogs focusing on Russian and Baltic philately will also provide detailed listings.
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