Government Postal Cover, One of the Last Soviet-Made, dated 13 February 1991.
This is the most commonly used standard format of Soviet-manufactured postal envelopes. Measures 6.5 x 4.5", baronial / announcement type with a V-shaped flap and deep throat on the envelope. Issued by the USSR Ministry of Communications, printed by the Perm Mint printing factory. Government marked, postally unused. The obverse features the standard design with the address part on the right and the decorative part on the left, typically a picture and a few words familiarizing the Soviet citizenry with an artist, poet, writer, museum, event, etc., etc. The graphic on this envelope celebrates the international exhibition "To the Stars - 91", dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the first manned space flight. The artist's name, B. Ilyukhin, is printed on the bottom flap on the verso.
The bottom part of the left side is designed for entering the addressee's postal code. In the Soviet Union it consisted of 6 digits. The Soviet-era postal code scanners were not sophisticated enough to read handwriting. That is why the flap on the back always carried the samples of how to properly write the digits of the code.
The format of the address side reflects socialist ideology of putting the state before the individual, exiling the name of the addressee to the very end of the address space.
The envelope is in excellent condition. Printed on typically thin mid-grade-quality paper, it has acquired minimal fraying along the edges, and negligibly small corner bumps. The wear is not very noticeable and not detractive.
Item# 43127
$35.00 Add to cart
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