The size is 6 ¼" x 4 ½", postally unused, with pre-printed special-issue postal stamp, published by the Ministry of Communications of the USSR, circulation unknown. The postal stamp features profiles of the three members of the crew: Pavel Fedoseenko, Andrey Vasenko and Ilya Usyskin.

In excellent condition, showing just minuscule corner bumps.

Initially slotted to launch on 30 September 1933, the OSOAVIAKhIM-1 was delayed. On 11 January, Stalin approved, and the Politburo authorized winter launch, anxious to tie yet another record with the upcoming XVII Congress of the CPSU

The size is 6 ¼" x 4 ½", postally unused, with pre-printed special-issue postal stamp, published by the Ministry of Communications of the USSR, circulation unknown. The postal stamp features profiles of the three members of the crew: Pavel Fedoseenko, Andrey Vasenko and Ilya Usyskin.

In excellent condition, showing just minuscule corner bumps.

Initially slotted to launch on 30 September 1933, the OSOAVIAKhIM-1 was delayed. On 11 January, Stalin approved, and the Politburo authorized winter launch, anxious to tie yet another record with the upcoming XVII Congress of the CPSU. The stratostat lifted off on 30 January and, with some difficulties, reached the record altitude of 22,000 meters (65,617 feet) and held there for 12 minutes. Problems with descent started with hardly any loss of altitude, gradually progressing to free fall. At 12,000 meters vertical acceleration went out of control; the balloon began disintegrating before it reached 8,000 meters. At about 2,000 meters, the gondola separated from the balloon and crashed. The bodies of the crew were badly maimed, The balloon envelope fell about 4 kilometers from the gondola and its fabric was quickly looted by local villagers.
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