We continue to introduce the most fascinating parts of postal history with a few words on the Eesti Post overprint of a Tsarist Russian stamp and 5-pence stamp Kajakas (Seagull).
Both stamps have been discussed in detail in an article by Vambola Hurt and Elmar Ojaste in Eesti. Estonia. Philately & Postal History Handbook. Catalogue, which was published in Eesti filatelist no. 11 (1970) no. 14 (1973). A brief summary of this is given below.
Eesti Post overprint of Tsarist Russian perforated 1-kopek stamp
The stamps were overprinted on the order of the Estonian Postal Administration on 5 May 1919 in Tallinn and went on sale on 7 May.
A small part of the issue was sold at the stamp desk of Tallinn Post Office. Chaos ensued: philatelists bought all of the stamps in a few hours, which triggered a strongly-worded response from newspapers. On top of it all, the Estonian Postal Administration abandoned its initial idea of issuing extra overprinted issues.
The stamps became invalid in just five months, on 2 October 1919.
5-pence stamp Kajakas (Seagull)
On 1 May 1919, the printing workers of Tallinn went on strike. The 5-kopek stamps featuring a flower design were sold out. At the same time, the publishing of the 5-pence stamp Number (Number) was delayed. The stereotype of the stamp Kajakas (Seagull) by Eduard Poland, which was selected from among designs submitted to the competition announced in December 1918 (Riigi Teataja no. 7), was ready. This was the first stamp designed by an artist that featured the text ‘Eesti Vabariik’ (the Republic of Estonia). As a last resort, the Estonian Postal Administration decided to print the 5-pence seagull stamps at E. Bergmann’s printing house in Tartu. As it was out of suitable book printing ink, the stamps were printed using lithography ink. As a result, the stamps came in four colours: orange, pale pink/orange, pinkish-orange and pale orange.
The stamps went on sale in Tallinn and Tartu Post Offices on 13 May 1919 and were sold out in a few days – stamp vendors were so interested in this rare issue that they bought them in bulk. Letters bearing the stamp of 13 and 14 May are valued among philatelists.
* * * * * The exhibition draws upon materials from the Estonian National Museum’s postal history collection and private collections.
Click on the information button on the toolbar to access background information on postal history.
Happy exploring!
* * * * * Exhibition team: Eve Aab, Ants Linnard and Reigo Lokk Photography: Arp Karm Editor: Karin Kastehein
* * * * * Literature:
Vambola Hurt and Elmar Ojaste Eesti. Estonia. Philately & Postal History Handbook. Catalogue. Stockholm, New York: Estonian Philatelic Society, 1986.
Eesti Filatelist no. 11, 1970. Estonian Philatelic Society in New York and Estonian Philatelic Society in Sweden, pp 14-18.
Eesti Filatelist no. 14, 1973. Estonian Philatelic Society in New York and Estonian Philatelic Society in Sweden, p 39.
Eesti Filatelist no. 22/23, 1978. Estonian Philatelic Society in New York and Estonian Philatelic Society in Sweden, pp 3-30.
Aru, Mart. Eesti postmargid ja tervikasjad. Kataloog 2015. Philately Department of the Estonian Heritage Society
Tsarist Russian perforated and imperforate 1-kopek stamp with Eesti Post overprint. Most of the stamps were overprinted on 5 May 1919. The stamps went on sale on 7 May 1919 in the Tallinn Post Office. As of 1 January 1919, stamps were sold with the following denomination: 1 kopek= 1 penny; 1 rouble = 1 mark.
Estonian National Museum, private collectionTsarist Russian perforated 50-kopek stamp with Eesti Post overprint.
Estonian National MuseumTsarist Russian perforated and imperforate 1-rouble stamp with Eesti Post overprint.
Private collectionEesti Post overprint of Tsarist Russian imperforate 3.50-rouble stamp.
Private collectionEesti Post overprint of Tsarist Russian imperforate 5-rouble stamp. The stamps with Eesti Post overprint could be used to send domestic and international letters until 1 October 1919.
Private collectionLocal letter from Tartu and receipt dated 9 January 1919. Tsarist Russian postage stamps and R-marking. The Commune of the Estonian Working People was valid for 24 days in Tartu from 21 December 1918 to 14 January 1919.
Estonian National MuseumLocal registered letter (the red R stamp, Tallinn-sadam/Reval) sent on the stamp’s date of issue on 7 May 1919. Tsarist Russian stamps with Eesti Post overprint.
Private collection5-pence stamps Kajakas (Seagull) in different colours. The stamps went on sale in Tallinn and Tartu Post Offices on 13 May 1919.
Estonian National Museum5-pence stamps Kajakas (Seagull) (orange and pink).
Estonian National Museum5-pence stamps Kajakas (Seagull) in different colours.
Estonian National MuseumRegistered letter (R-stamp) sent on the date of issue of the stamp on 13 May 1919 from Tallinn (Reval) to Finland. 5-pence stamps Kajakas (Seagull).
Private collectionLocal letter sent to Tallinn on 17 May 1919. Tsarist Russian 5-pence stamps with Eesti Post overprint Kajakas (Seagull); 5-pence stamps Number (Number).
Private collectionPostcard sent from Tallinn to Tartu on 21 May 1919. Military control stamp S.K.Kajakas (Seagull). Domestic postage of 15 pence.
Private collectionPrivate collectionLocal printing work letter sent on 24 September 1919. 5-pence stamp Kajakas (Seagull)
Private collectionRegistered letter sent from Tartu to Tallinn to the Management Board of Baltic Mutual Life Insurance Association on 23 July 1919 that arrived on 25 July 1919. Manually overwritten registered postal stamp (R Tartu). 35-pence stamps Kajakas (Seagull).
Estonian National MuseumPostcard with a response from Russian Provisional Government with a 5-kopek stamp. Local registered postcard (R Tallinn) dated 7 July 1919. Tsarist Russian stamps with Eesti Post overprint and 35-pence stamp Kajakas (Seagull).
Private collectionPostcard with a response from Russian Provisional Government dated 7 July 1919.
Private collectionPostcard sent to Suure-Jaani on 1 December 1920. 5-pence stamp Number. The postage changed on 1 January 1920. Local T stamp (fine stamp). The recipient of the postcard had to pay a 20-pence fine.
Private collectionPostcard sent from Tartu to Kavastu on 8 January 1920. Perforated 10-pence stamp Number (Number). Local T stamp (fine stamp). The recipient paid a 20-pence fine.
Private collectionThe international printing work letter was sent on 10 December 1919 from Tallinn to London. Imperforate 10-pence stamp Number (Number).
Private collectionLetter sent from Hamburg to Tartu via Finland on 11 June 1919. Tartu military control stamp S.K.
Estonian National MuseumPostcard sent from Valga to Tartu on 6 October 1919. Railway postal service’s temporary linear stamp Walk-Tallinn.
Postal carriages were preceded by single postal officers/couriers at the beginning of 1919. In the tradition of Tsarist Russia, it was considered inappropriate to entrust the position to another institution, railway workers. The postal officer/courier travelled along with irregular passenger and freight trains and handed over and accepted post bags/stacks at stations.
Private collectionThe postcard was sent from Tallinn to Tartu on 6 November 1919. Railway postal service’s temporary linear stamp P.w.Tallinn Walk. 15-pence stamp Päike (Sun).
Private collectionMonument of Peter the Great on Peter’s Square (current Freedom Square) in Tallinn. The opening ceremony took place on 12 October 1910 (29 September O.S.).
Private collectionThe postcard was sent from Valga to Suure-Jaani on 11 November 1919. Brownish-pink 15-pence stamp Päike (Sun).
