St.Petersburg: The Imperial Post - its postmarks and other postal markings 1765 -1914

Ian L.G.Baillie & Eric G.Peel
for Publication in February 2001
Published for The British Society of Russian Philately
by Chancery House Press

The purpose of this book is to list, describe and explain the postal markings of St.Petersburg,  starting with the "straight line" marks, introduced during the reign of Catherine the Great, and ending when the city changed its name to Petrograd in 1914. The authors explain the many intricacies of the numerous handstamps which originated when branch offices opened in various parts of the city and continued in profusion when telegraph offices began to handle mail. The book deals with more than the handstamps; the authors describe the labels used on registered mail and money letters; the special "spravki" attached to undeliverable letters and the functions of the address bureau.

St.Petersburg's postal system had some features unique in Russia; the "red triangle" labels, indicating delays through mis-routing within the city and the various marks applied to mail carried on the suburban railways. These peculiarities are carefully explained. In short, every type of mark or label which was applied to mail in St.Petersburg is described and shown in 1,325 illustrations within the 400 pages of this work. The book is going to be 
indispensable for the collector of St.Petersburgs's postal history; but it will also be of immense value to the student of the posts of other Russian cities - for St.Petersburg was the capital, and its practices were adopted by some other large postal administrations.

The authors, both of whom are Past-Presidents and Honorary Life-Members of The British Society of Russian Philately, have brought to this work their long experience of collecting Russian postal markings; they have solved, through consultation with many other collectors, most of the problems encountered within the St.Petersburg postal system. all collectors of Russian stamps and postal history will benefit by acquiring a copy of this book.

How to Order:

Send your order and payment (as indicated below) to: Mr T.Page 30 Furze Lane Purley Surrey CR8 3EG UK
Prices: Members of BSRP, UK and Europe £28 (plus p&p = £34)
Members outside Europe US$65.00 (post free)
Non-Members, worldwide £34 (postage extra)

Payment:
By cheque drawn on a British bank.
By bankers draft in sterling.
In cash (sterling, US dollar bills or French Francs only).
As the UK has now withdrawn from the Eurocheque system, those wishing to pay by this method must add on £6.00 bank charges.

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