1776-59, 14 pre-philatelic items, including Catherine the Great, envelope for Royal mailings on laid paper with watermark "Crown "M" 1778" (tear at top), entire letter from Tambov to Borisoglebsk (1799), Moscow Pochtamt receipt on "Double Headed Eagle" watermarked paper (1843), mailings bearing pre-adhesive period markings of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kozlov, Spassk, Tula, Tver and etc., money letter from Lipetsk to Tambov (1855), all mounted on original pages from the Collection and meticulously described, mostly VF condition
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

500.00

1883, stationery envelope 5k lilac with inverted indicia at the bottom left, size 114x83mm, sent from Libava to St. Petersburg, uprated by pair of 1k stamps on reverse, appropriate markings and arrival ds, mostly VF

100.00

1875- 1913, 24 items, including red surcharge 7k on 8k gray, size 140x60mm, 14k blue without overprint "China" issued in 1907, two envelopes of 3k (different sizes) issued in1909, complete set of 10 Romanov Dynasty envelopes and many more, fresh condition overall, F/VF or better, Specialized C.v. $1,700
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6

400.00

1857, 10k brown and blue, balanced margins imperforated single, numeral "1" watermark, pen-cross and pre- philatelic cancellations, bold colors, fresh and VF

150.00

1857, 10k brown and blue, imperforated single with four- side margin and bold colors used in 1858 on cover from Chuguyev (Kharkov Gub) to Derpt (now Tartu), tied by "546" inside dotted rectangular cancel, boxed Derpt arrival is on reverse, wax seal, minimal conveyance flaws, F/VF and very scarce, Dr. W. Leupold certificate
View enlarged fragment.

1857, 10k brown and blue, imperforated single with exceptional margins, used on large part of entire letter from St. Petersburg to Riga, tied by complete St. Petersburg boxed pre-philatelic "1.AUG.1858" ds, mostly VF and scarce item, expertized by L. Eisold, Raritan Stamps guarantee
View enlarged fragment.

600.00

1858, 10k brown and blue, perforation 14 1/2x15, printed on thin paper with numeral "1" watermark, tiny soiling spots at the top corners as hinge traces, intense colors and intact perforation, unused, no gum, VF, N. Mandrovski certificate

1858, 10k brown and blue, perforation 14 1/2x15, printed on paper with watermark "1", a white spot close to right leg of Eagle variety, used on entire letter from Mitava to St. Petersburg, tied by Mitava dotted cancellation, another marking on reverse along with St. Petersburg "Received 3. Dec. 1858. Evening", usual folds, F/VF, N. Mandrovski certificate
View enlarged fragment.

200.00

1857, a piece of paper with watermark numeral "1", which had been used for printing of actual postage stamps of No.1 and No.2, contains vertical pair of watermarks with left margin showing part of watermark "Pochotovye Marki" (Postage Stamps), perfect quality, no gum as produced, VF and very scarce, ex-V. Ustinovsky

750.00

1858, 20k blue and orange, perforation 14 1/2x15, printed on thick paper with numeral "2" watermark, intense colors, bright and fresh single, full OG, previously hinged, VF and rare in such condition, C.v. $13,000

1858, 20k blue and orange, perforation 14 1/2x15, printed on thick paper with watermark "2" (shifted to the right), tied by "38" inside circular dotted cancellation (Riga), a few slightly irregular perfs at right, still nicely centered, VF
View the certificate.

400.00

1858, 20k blue and orange, perforation 14 1/2x15, cancelled on a piece with two-line boxed Zhytomyr "21. JUNE.1858" marking, stamp with bold colors and intact perforation absolutely beautiful collectible object, VF and rare so nice, L. Eisold certificate

750.00

1858, 30k carmine and green, perforation 14 1/2x15, printed on very thick (0.13mm) paper with numeral watermark "3", excellent centering and perforation, unblemished colors, full OG, previously hinged, VF and very rare in such premium quality, C.v. $18,500

1861, cover from the House of Merchant Kokorev at Pushkin (Moscow Gub.), sent without paying postage to editorial board of "Russki Vestnik", text on reverse reads: "removed from a box of the Kokorev's House without postage stamp on September 7, 1861...", black double-circle marking "Due "10", mostly VF and scarce

150.00

1864, 1k, 3k and 5k, complete set of three with perforation 12 1/2, bold colors and intact perforation, all with full/large part of OG, stamp of 5k has tiny translucent spot at top left, LH or previously hinged, VF, and difficult set in nice condition, C.v. $2,270

600.00

1858, 10k brown and blue, perforation 12 1/2, nice center offset on reverse, absolutely perfect condition, full OG, VLH, VF and scarce so nice

150.00

1858, 10k-30k, perforation 12 1/2, complete set of three, each one tied by "49" inside circular dotted cancellation (Tiflis), minor perforation flaws, F/VF and extremely difficult set to obtain

100.00

1863, City Post, 5k black and blue, pane of 25 from the upper right part of a sheet, stamp on position 21 (position 46 in a sheet) with retouch over Arms at left, no folds or separations, full OG, NH, VF
View enlarged fragment.

750.00

1863, City Post, 5k black and blue, pane of 25 with margins at four sides (lower left part of a sheet), perfect flawless quality item, full OG, NH, VF

600.00

1866, 1k-30k, complete set of six in sheet margin blocks of four, printed on horizontally laid paper, post office fresh condition, full OG, NH, VF

750.00

1870, 3k black and green, printed on horizontally laid paper, "V" error of background, nicely centered and very fresh, full OG, LH, VF and scarce in premium quality, C.v. $1,000

400.00

1866, trial color perforated proofs of 5k in carmine, lilac, green, orange and blue, complete set of five, printed on horizontally laid paper, full OG, mainly LH, VF, three with Romeko or Mavrogordato expert's markings

1866, 10k brown and blue, printed on horizontally laid paper, "kalach" instead of "10" at the top left value tablet, neatly cancelled, fresh and VF

200.00

1870, 20k blue and orange, printed on vertically laid paper, nicely centered with intact perforation, full OG, previously hinged, VF and rare in premium condition, small owner's hs on reverse, C.v. $5,250

1873, 5k black and violet, 20k blue and orange in horizontal pair, three stamps printed on vertically laid paper (!), used on registered cover from Vasilievskaya volost via Nolinsk to Vyatka, all appropriate markings and arrival ds, slight filing fold, still VF and rare franking

300.00

1875-79, 2k-30k, complete set of five printed on horizontally laid paper, all with sheet or corner margins, 20k with "t" variety, full OG, NH, VF and scarce in such condition

200.00

1879, 7k gray and rose, printed on vertically laid paper, bright colors and intact perforation, full OG, previously hinged, VF and scarce, especially in premium condition, P. Buchsbayew certificate, C.v. $2,000
View the certificate.

750.00

1883-88, 1k-70k, complete set of eight and additional 2k in yellow green, all are in top sheet margin blocks of four, perfect quality in every respect, full OG, NH, VF

600.00

1883-88, perforated plate proof of 2k in green (close to issued color), changed numerals, background and Crown, printed on vertically laid paper, full OG, very light trace of hinge, VF and very rare, a common stamp on horizontally laid paper is included for comparison, N. Mandrovski certificate

1884, 3.50r black and gray, 7r black and yellow, complete set of two printed on vertically laid paper, each stamp with sheet margin, absolutely perfect quality in every respect, full OG, NH, VF, 7r with tiny expert's hs on reverse

1884, 3.50r black and gray, 7r black and yellow, complete set of two in three side margin horizontal strips of five (from top part of sheets), printed on vertically laid paper, completely flawless and post office fresh, no folds or separations, full OG, NH, VF and extremely rare multiples, Raritan Stamps guarantee, this lot had been sold in our Auction #63 (lot #619) for $23,000 including buyer's premium

1884, 3.50r black and gray, printed on horizontally laid paper, blurry "St. Petersburg. Expedition 1" ds marking on a piece. We removed the stamp from a piece, and found a pinhole at bottom left and minor that corner imperfection, nevertheless VF appearance of this very rare stamp, ex-V. Ustinovsky, C.v. $15,000

1889, 1r brown, pale brown and orange, printed on horizontally laid paper, side margin imperforated block of ten (5x2), red horizontal overprint "Obrazets", folds between stamps and on right margin, very fresh quality otherwise, full OG, NH, VF and rare item from the Postal Archives

1892-1902, 2k green on horizontally laid paper, background is strongly shifted to the bottom left (LH),and 10k dark blue on vertically laid paper, block of six with inverted background (NH, but with a little toning mostly on perforation), both with full OG, mainly VF
View enlarged fragment.

100.00

1889, die proof of 14k in blue and rose, printed on thick chalk-surfaced paper, left sheet margin single with touched frame at the top, fresh and nice item, no gum as produced, NH, F/VF and scarce

400.00

1889, die proof of 14k in blue and rose, printed on thick chalk-surfaced paper, fitted for actual stamp size with short margin at the top, creased at the upper part of stamp, still rare item in collectible quality, no gum as produced, F/VF appearance, expertized by Z. Mikulski

150.00

1907, 3k rose red, printed on vertically laid paper, omitted background variety, used on picture postcard (view of Crimea) from Yalta to Pavlovsk (St. Petersburg Gub.), arrival ds is alongside, mostly VF and rare franking, N. Mandrovski certificate
View enlarged fragment.
View the certificate.

350.00

1902, 3k carmine, printed on vertically laid paper, light impression of the background, top right corner sheet margin horizontal strip of five, partial offset on reverse, marginal bend, full OG, NH, VF

100.00

1904, 4k rose red, printed on vertically laid paper, inverted groundwork variety, neatly cancelled "7.12.07", nice and fresh single, VF and extremely rare, only a few these errors are recorded, a common stamp is enclosed, Raritan Stamps guarantee, C.v. $16,500

1902, 7k blue, printed on vertically laid paper, complete pane of 25 (bottom left part of a sheet), open pre-printing paper fold is affecting fourth horizontal row, full OG, NH or LH (two top stamps), VF and a spectacular piece

400.00

1902, rectangular imperforated essay of 7k in dark rose, unissued design with Coat of Arms in the middle, printed on thin card, perfect quality, no gum as issued, VF and scarce

1904, 1r dark brown, pale brown and orange, printed on vertically laid paper, a single with orange "X" on margin at left (St. Andrew's Cross), full OG, two tiny adhesion spots on margin only, stamp is NH, VF, these stamps expected to be surcharged for usage in Russian PO in Levant, a stamp without such surcharge is very scarce

500.00

1909, postal forgery of 7k blue, printed on thin translucent paper with vertical varnish lines, perforation L14 3/4, NH, VF and rare, issued to defraud Postal Authorities, according to Lobachevsky Cat. this forgery has type IV, Raritan Stamps guarantee

300.00

1911, 10k pale blue, bottom right corner sheet margin block of four with control inscription "Cred. Tip. 1911", fold between lower stamps and margin reinforced by hinges, fresh condition otherwise, full OG, NH (1) or VLH, VF and scarce

100.00

1912-17, 15k brown lilac and (blue), printed on paper with vertical varnish lines, albino embossing of the center, blue color is omitted, full OG, NH, VF, ex-V. Ustinovsky

100.00

1912-17, 15k red brown and blue, printed on paper with vertical varnish lines, inverted offset of the design on the face, appearing as double impression, full OG, very light trace of hinge, VF, P. Buchsbayew certificate

100.00

1912-17, (20k) blue and (carmine), printed on paper with vertical varnish lines, center and value omitted, tiny traces of carmine color on the face, full OG, light trace of hinge, VF and scarce, expert's hs on reverse

200.00

1915, Romanov Dynasty, money stamp of 15k brown, bottom right corner sheet margin block of four with breakage perforation, resulting in imperforated at the bottom, no gum as produced, NH, VF and very spectacular item

300.00

1915, Romanov Dynasty, money stamp of 15k brown, horizontal imperforated pair, nice margins, no gum as issued, NH, VF, C.v. $400++

200.00

1915, Romanov Dynasty money stamp, 15k brown, used on registered cover from Petrograd to London together with 5k claret, Russian censorship tape and markings, arrival ds, wax seal removed, minor wear, F/VF, real postal usage of money-stamps was illegal and therefore quite rare

200.00

1915, Romanov Dynasty, money stamp of 20k olive green, imperforated single with additional inverted offset on the face, appearing as double impression, no gum as produced, VLH, VF

100.00

1915, 10r carmine, yellow and gray, complete sheet of 25 with yellow "V" control mark on margins, somewhat reduced margins, still full OG, NH, VF

250.00

1915, 10r carmine, yellow and gray, carmine frame is inverted, shifted and printed on gum side, full OG, NH, VF

150.00

1915, 10r carmine, yellow and gray, yellow background is inverted and shifted, block of four, full OG, NH, VF, Raritan Stamps guarantee, C.v. $2,000 as singles

600.00

1916, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 1k-3k, complete set in sheet margin unfolded blocks of four, no gum as issued, NH, VF

200.00

1917, black surcharge 10k on 7k light blue, vertical pair, top stamp without the surcharge, full OG, LH (top stamp) or NH, VF, expertized by Romeko

200.00

1917, 2k-10r, imperforated set of 16 (less 1k and 20k, with additional 14k unissued in this set), each one with partial perfin "Obrazets", even to large margins, full OG, apparently all are NH, F/VF and rare group, ex-V. Ustinovsky

750.00

1917, 10r carmine, yellow and gray, horizontal imperforated pair with "V" labels in carmine and yellow at sides, full OG, NH, VF, expertized by L. Hovest

100.00

1917, 10r carmine, yellow and gray, left sheet margin imperforated block of four, full OG, NH, VF

200.00

1919, 1r brown, light brown and orange, horizontal varnish lines on the face, group of 43 imperforated stamps, including block of 35, representing various printing errors, plus three imperforated proofs, full OG, NH or LH/hinged, mostly VF
View Part 2.

150.00

1919, 3.50r maroon and green, 7r green and pink, printed on paper with horizontal varnish lines, imperforated horizontal pairs, first one has bottom right corner sheet margin (corner bend far away from the stamps), beautiful quality unit, full OG, NH, VF and very rare, especially in pairs

1919, 7k green and pink, bottom sheet margin single printed on paper with horizontal varnish lines, perfect condition, full OG, NH, VF, expertized by Z. Mikulski, Raritan Stamps guarantee, C.v. $1,550 as hinged

750.00

1917, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 4th issue, shifted to the sides black surcharge 1(k) on 1k orange, horizontal imperforated pair with nice margins all around, no gum as issued, NH, VF

400.00

1917, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 4th issue, black surcharge 2(k) on 2k green, two imperforated singles, one without the surcharge and misplaced text on reverse, surcharged stamp with some paper soiling, wide or sheet margins on both examples, no gum as produced, NH, F/VF

250.00

1917, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 4th issue, shifted to the top right black surcharge 2(k) on 2k green, right sheet margin horizontal imperforated pair, right stamp has no surcharge, no gum as issued, NH, VF

400.00

1917, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 4th issue, shifted to the top and sides black surcharge 2(k) on 2k green, left sheet margin imperforated single with broken design due to pre-printing paper folds, in addition misplaced text on reverse, no gum as issued, NH, VF and an attractive item

150.00

1917, Romanov Dynasty money stamps, 4th issue, 3k red, top sheet margin single imperforated at the top, usual centering, no gum as issued, NH, VF

200.00

1903, incoming entire wrapper from Japan to Vladivostok, franked by 4s rose, posted into a steamboat at Nagasaki on October 18, black Russian censorship and violet "Decontaminated"markings, no arrival hs, minor soiling and repaired tear at top left, still F/VF and very rare mailing from Japan with disinfection marking

500.00

1910, official request from Rakitskaya volost (Kursk Gub.) about time difference and coordinates, sent on December 7, official Observatory respond sent on 11.12.10 and received on December 13, archival fold, still F/VF

100.00

1916, V. V. Matorin "Warehouse of Machines and Technical Accessories" at Livny (Oryol Gub.), pre-printed with bicycles, sewing and milling machines, marked "Printed Matters", franked by vertical pair of 2k green and sent to USA, censored at Petrograd, no arrival marking as often, F/VF

100.00

1896-97, four free-frank covers, addressed to commander of 103th Petrozavodsk Infantry Regiment, one sent from Grodno, one - from Griazovets(Vologda Gub.), two - from Novogrudok (Grodno Gub.), all appropriate markings, some conveyance defects, still fine and apparently rare
View enlarged fragment.
View Part 2.

250.00

1904, picture postcard (view of Harbin), franked by 3k rose carmine, posted into the mail at Main Field PO on 3.12.04, addressed to Riga with arrival hs of "24.12.04", mostly VF and scarce civilian mailing went through the military PO

100.00

1916, illustrated free-frank envelope from Military Road Commandant's Office, addressed to Nizhyn (Chernihiv Gub.), violet military marking and arrival ds on reverse, vertical fold and small tear at the top, still fine and scarce

100.00

1867, red surcharge 10k on 20k black and brown, nicely centered, bold strong colors, large part of OG, VF and scarce in nice condition

750.00

1881, 20k black and brown, official reprint, right sheet margin imperforated single, full OG, NH, in addition the same stamp, but with no gum, both are fresh and VF

200.00

1881, 20k black and brown, official reprint in complete sheet of 35 (7x5), vertical and horizontal folds between stamps, full OG, NH, VF and extremely rare multiple, Raybaudi certificate

1909, stamp for delivery of judicial correspondence, red overprint on revenue stamp of 15k blue and rose, full OG, NH, VF

150.00

1909, red overprint on revenue stamp of 15k blue and rose, block of four, top stamps without overprint, while bottom ones bearing double overprint (one inverted) due to amazing overprint shift, full OG, NH (bottom stamps)or LH, VF and extremely rare, according to our records the only block of four and the vertical pair with this error are known, last time it was sold in Auction #73

Imperial Russia Collections
Collection of Multiples and Positional Pieces

1908-19, 450 mint stamps generally in side or corner margin, gutter/cross-gutter blocks of four, the total is 105 multiples, identified by year of issue, representing marginal control lines and plate No., fabulous unit neatly arranged in a stockbook, full OG, generally NH, mainly VF, SC. v. is over 275,000P (website photo)
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

1915-17, 56 unused values, representing all four issues of money stamps, including three imperforated values, one reversal text shift, one without the text and one with perforation error, nice quality overall, no gum as issued, NH or LH/hinged, F/VF (website photo)
View Part 2.

500.00

1860-1900's, 40 labels and 12 covers, representing various local administrations, military, religious and judicial institutions, police, public schools, forestry, prisons, treasury and etc. issues, condition is a little mixed as always on that material, still F/VF (website photo)
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

400.00

Local Treasury Offices and Tax Inspectors

1860-1900's, 173 labels or seals and 21 covers, representing issues of 176 different districts, mainly small town items, some flaws should be expected, generally nice and neat holding, F/VF and rare assemblage
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

Judicial Correspondences

1860-1900's, 155 labels and 62 free-frank folded letters or entire wrappers from police stations or district courts, representing 132 different cities or towns from "A" to "Z", starting with Akhtyrka to Zolotonosha, some conveyance flaws possible, generally powerful and interesting unit, F/VF
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55

1860-1900's, 73 labels or seals and 19 free-frank covers, representing 85 different cities or towns, many highly desirable items throughout, minor flaws mentioned, still beautiful quality holding, F/VF (website photo)
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

750.00

1917, 41 mainly mint blocks, including 19 blocks of four (four with inverted overprint), 14 blocks of eight (five with inverted and one with double overprints), 8 blacks of twelve (thee inverted overprints), a few 4-blocks are questionable, two 8-blocks with some separation, nevertheless nice condition, full OG or no gum as produced, F/VF (website photo)
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

750.00

Imperial Censorship in a Peacetime 1891-1914, six entire wrappers which were used for sending periodicals (only printed matters coming from abroad were censored at that time), sent from France (2), Great Britain, Switzerland(3),addressed to St. Petersburg and Gubernia, Pernau (2 - censored in Riga), Podolia Gub. (censored in Odessa), Vladivostok, minor conveyance flaws mentioned, still F/VF

200.00

Collection of Esperanto Mailings 1908-14, ten postcards or covers, arranged on well-described pages, apparently a half of foreign destinations, including USA (2), Uruguay, Switzerland and Turkey, all bearing labels or Esperanto cancellations, nice and fresh condition, all appropriate markings, mostly VF
Click the numbers below to see additional images:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

400.00