BOOK NOTE: A new handbook on Ukrainian philatelic releases (09/08/02)

BOOK NOTE: A new handbook on Ukrainian philatelic releases

"Handbook of Modern Ukrainian Philately: A Catalog of Stamps, Stationery, and Cancellations 1991-2000," by George D. Fedyk and Ingert J. Kuzych. Springfield, Va.: Ukrainian Philatelic Resources, 2002, 236 pp, softcover, $25.

The Ukrainian firm Marka Ukrainy has been issuing stamps, postal cards, pre-stamped envelopes, special cancellations and all sorts of additional products for more than a decade now, making it hard to keep up with everything. Wouldn't it be great if there was one catalogue that listed all of the philatelic materials produced in Ukraine since independence?

Well, such a catalogue now exists and it is the result of two dedicated philatelists working (literally) on opposite ends of the earth. George Fedyk from Australia and Ingert Kuzych from the United States have spent much of their free time over the past couple of years compiling the "Handbook of Modern Ukrainian Philately" - the most complete volume on modern Ukrainian philately ever produced. Everything has been included and just about everything has been illustrated. (Some 700 illustrations grace this tome.)

The authors have gone out of their way to make the handbook extremely user friendly, beginning from the very first pages with a brief "Introduction to Ukraine." Right up front, a "Quick Reference Guide" gives basic information on all of Ukraine's stamps, first day covers, and first day postmarks in a comprehensive seven-page table. This saves the user from having to search through the main body of the book to search for basic facts.

When looking for more info, however, the user will come across complete and thorough descriptions of all of the types of philatelic products produced in Ukraine. These items are easy to locate because they are grouped in appropriate parts marked off by colored inserts.

Part I covers all postage stamps, both regular issues and regional issues created from remaining Soviet stamps in 1992 by overprinting with tridents. The descriptions include all available information for every issue. In addition to the regular facts, such as date of release, designer(s), colors, paper type, perforations, quantities produced and printing format, additional information on major varieties is presented along with descriptions for the fluorescence patterns exhibited by the stamps or souvenir sheets under UV light. This latter characteristic is a unique attribute of Ukrainian stamps and sheets. Moreover, the subjects depicted on the philatelic issues are concisely but completely described.

Part II details postal stationery items, including first day covers, pre-stamped envelopes, pre-stamped postal cards, souvenir folders, souvenir cards and stamp booklets. All available information is set forth including dates, sizes, designer(s), quantities, descriptions and, where applicable, the unique order number that is assigned to every stationery item produced.

Part III describes special issues and includes joint issues, Europa issues, World Wildlife Fund issues and other distinctive releases - such as maximum cards, postcards and postal cards prepared for certain philatelic events.

Part IV is perhaps the most impressive in the catalogue, because in includes descriptions of the commemorative postmarks (837) in all produced in Ukraine during its first decade of independence. These descriptions are laid out not just chronologically, but also grouped by oblast. Of these postmarks, those used as first day markings are also illustrated.

All of the stamps, stationery products, special issues and cancellations listed in Parts I through IV have been assigned their own unique catalogue numbers.

Part V closes out this impressive volume and it is composed of five detailed appendices. These include an extensive listing of Thematics on Ukrainian Stamps (22 categories are set forth), a compendium of Ukrainian Stamp Series, a complete itemization of Ukrainian Postal Rates (from 1992 to 2000; 14 pages of minute but complete tables), an introduction to Ukraine's Official Transliteration System, and a glossary of Philatelic Terminology. The authors have tried not to overlook anything in their quest to make this the ultimate guidebook for Ukrainian philately.

Copies of the 236-page "Handbook of Modern Ukrainian Philately" may be ordered from: Ukrainian Philatelic Resources, P.O. Box 3, Springfield VA 22150. The cost is $25, plus $3 postage to U.S. destinations, $6 postage to Canada, $7 for mail to the rest of the world by surface, or $14 to the rest of the world by air. (All funds in U.S. dollars).

Quantity discounts of 40 percent are offered on purchases of 10 or more books. Include 15 percent of discounted price for surface postage or 25 percent of discounted price for air mail postage.

* * *

Two years ago, Ukrainian Philatelic Resources released "The Provisional Postage Stamps of Ukraine, 1992-1995" by Heorhiy Lobko (translated by Andrew O. Martyniuk), the most comprehensive volume ever on the temporary and local stamps produced in Ukraine during its first years of independence. This multi-award-winning publication of 278 pages and over 900 illustrations is now being offered at a substantial discount off its $32 price if ordered in conjunction with the "Handbook of Modern Ukrainian Philately." The combined price for both volumes is $50. Together the two books present a complete record of Ukraine's philatelic output through its first decade of independence.

Both books may be obtained from: Ukrainian Philatelic Resources for $50 plus $4 postage to U.S. destinations, $9 postage to Canada, $11 for mail to the rest of the world by surface mail, or $22 to the rest of the world by air.

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