Raritan Stamps Auction May 24th 2002. 

By Marcus Sherwood-Jenkins

Writing as I am on 9th May, Victory Day, it is probably appropriate to offer congratulations to all our Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian readers, we have not forgotten the sacrifices made by these nations during the Great Patriotic War.

Once again Raritan have produced a veritable feast for the keen Russian philatelist with over 1,500 lots of interest. The fact that the lotting is into small lots or collections means that there is really something here to fit most pockets whether you be a modern collector looking for some year sets or a pre-stamp buff looking for some elusive strikes.

For the Touva specialist there are a number of nice looking covers, one of those illustrated being part of a lot of three covers to Lucerne. Very philatelic looking but attractive and not over the odds at $250.

Lot 2014 is a real eye catcher as well, being a cover bearing a complete set of the Russian Levant Romanov tercentenary issue. The cover is very clean with a couple of filing folds away from the stamps and starts with an estimate of $400. For the less well heeled there are a number of sets and stamps starting at $30. Some of these are attractive items that are not necessarily easy to find outside of Russia and this also makes the lower priced lots worth an inspection from the veteran collector with a few holes to fill.

Other highlights and pieces that stand out are: · 

• Lot 1502 1945 liberation of Leningrad souvenir sheet used on cover to the USA. · 
• A mouth watering range of RSFSR varieties and errors . · 
• Lot 1200 - a small assembly of 13 envelopes bearing official seals - much underrated material . · 
• Lot 1174, a Telegram from The Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich senior (commander in chief) to the Tsar Alexander II, from the Balkans during the Russo-Turkish war estimate $1,000. · 
• A range of errors and varieties on the Arms and Romanov series between 1902 and 1913 - prices starting around $70 and rising to around the $500 mark for some pieces. · 
• 1858 die proof of frame of 10K perf. 14.5 $1,000 · 
• Lot 1605 1958 Voroshilov locomotive plant 40K orange - recalled stamp, listed but unpriced in Michel, $400.

Happy hunting and if you do not already subscribe to this catalogue then do so at the earliest opportunity, they build up into an impressive library of information.

Raritan Stamps Inc. PO box 1539, Highland Park, NJ 08904, USA. E mail: info@raritanstamps.com  Web site http://www.raritanstamps.com/ 
Please make sure when enquiring about catalogues that you mention that you found the information on the BSRP website.

© 2002 the BSRP