White Russian Stamps, Grey Areas

A stamp has one obvious job. These five leave collectors wondering whether they ever got the chance to do it.

This set comes from the turbulent years following the Russian Revolution. Often described as ‘White Russian’ stamps, they are associated with General Bułak-Bałachowicz’s forces and were produced in Latvia in 1920. Their inscription reads ‘Asobny Atrad’, or ‘Special Detachment’, with the initials of the Belarusian People’s Republic beneath the illustration. Each stamp carries the same scene, printed in a different colour and value: 5, 10, 15 and 50 kopecks, and one rouble. The set pictured here has straight, hand-cut edges rather than perforations.

The stamps have appeared in books and catalogues for years, but their precise status remains a subject of debate. Were they made for limited use by the detachment, or were they principally labels intended to raise support and spread its message? That uncertainty is what makes them interesting. This unused set is valued at around £15. A convincing example used on an original envelope would be a very different find. It could offer evidence that the stamps actually travelled through the post, as well as a glimpse of where the letter went and who handled it.

For now, these five little pieces of paper carry a story rather than a letter: one of conflict, competing claims and a postal question collectors would love to answer. Come and see what stories are waiting to be found at Charing Cross Collectors Market this Saturday.