Aleksandria Zemstvo stamp No. 2 (11/04/01)

Aleksandria Zemstvo stamp No. 2

Perhaps the most notorious Ukrainian zemstvo stamp is an 1870 issue from Aleksandria, Kherson Gubernia (present-day Oleksandria, Kirovohrad Oblast). This 10-kopek stamp was the second prepared in this town and, in and of itself, it would not seem particularly noteworthy. However, the circular format and design were obviously copied from a very rare United States 5-cent provisional stamp prepared in 1846 by the postmaster in the namesake city of Alexandria, Va, (The United States began issuing regular postage stamps in 1847.)

Both stamps are similar in ink color (black), form, design and even measurements. They differ in text and also in value. The U.S. Alexandria stamp, of which only a few copies are known, was valued at approximately $75,000 in a recent stamp catalogue. A specimen on cover last year sold for $130,000. The Ukrainian Aleksandria, not nearly as rare, may be acquired for about $75.

Interestingly, two color varieties are known for both stamp issues. The U.S. Alexandria provisional was printed on buff or blue paper. The former color variety is classified as Type I if it has 40 asterisks in a circle and Type II if composed of only 39 such symbols. The blue variety is known only as a Type I.

The Ukrainian Aleksandria zemstvo was generally printed on brown paper, but a variety on reddish brown paper has also been described. The outer design circle is composed of 22 fuzzy elements (foliage perhaps?). The text on the inner circle reads: Aleksandriia Zemck. Pocht. Marka (Aleksandria Zemstvo Postage Stamp).

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