Postal block "Cultural epochs of Ukraine. Cimmerians"

Philately is often associated with history, the reason being the reproduction in miniature of cultural epochs, periods of life, everyday life and culture. Ukrainian postage stamps are no exception and have many issues on this subject. Postage stamps can be compared to works of art, because it is extremely difficult to put a lot of information content into a small sketch.

 Stamps of ancient times on the pages of Ukrainian philately

Over the 30 years of independent Ukrainian philately, more than one issue dedicated to ancient history has been published. The first stamps highlighting the culture of the ancient peoples living on the territory of modern Ukraine were issued in 1999. The series was called "Scythian Gold" and consisted of 4 stamps depicting nomadic household items found by archaeologists. The next series, which featured the Scythians, was called "History of the Ukrainian Army" and was issued in 2002. The Scythian culture was mentioned again on the 2013 postal block "Scythian Pectoral". In addition to the Scythians, Trypillian culture can be found on the 2013-2015 issues of "The Beauty and Greatness of Ukraine" and the 2014 issue of "Monuments of Ancient Cultures."

The main issue covering the oldest periods of human society is "Cultural Epochs of Ukraine." It includes the Paleolithic Stone Age, Trypillian culture of the Copper and Stone Age, Bronze Age Cimmerians, Scythians and Sarmatians of the Iron Age. All issues were published with a circulation of 20 to 40 thousand copies in the following years:

- 2017 - Paleolithic;

- 2018 - Trypillia;

- 2019 - Cimmerians;

- 2020 - Scythians;

- 2022 - Sarmatians.

Among the features is the release of a souvenir booklet about the Scythians. The booklet has a small print run of 3000 copies and was presented at the XVIII National Philatelic Exhibition "Ukrfilex-2020" in Kharkiv.

 Postal block "Cultural epochs of Ukraine. Cimmerians"

The entire series was created by twin graphic artists Serhii and Oleksandr Haruki. It is not the first time the authors of the sketches have collaborated with Ukrposhta and have been creating miniature masterpieces for a long time. The issue presents images of the ancient nomadic people of Cimmerians, who are considered to be the first of the oldest inhabitants of modern Ukraine.

- Date of issue - 27.02.2019

- Circulation of the block - 30 thousand copies

- Block format - 110x92 mm

- Stamp format - 49.7x42.2 mm

- Number of stamps in a sheet - 1 pc.

- Face value - 30 UAH

- Authors - Sergiy Haruk, Oleksandr Haruk

A special feature of the Cultural Epochs of Ukraine issue is the thematic design of the stamp block, which includes a stamp harmoniously integrated into the composition. All the series are decorated with archaeological valuables found. The issue dedicated to the Cimmerians features bone decorations of horse equipment from the Late Bronze Age found in a mound near Simferopol.

Description of the postal block

The color palette of the letterhead is represented by green, grey and white. Only the yellow Cimmerian decor stands out. The central lower part of the block has one stamp. On the left side of the block is the name of the issue and brief information about the period and place of distribution of the Cimmerian people. The name of the block is stylized by the decor of the time. Both the block and the stamp contain the main characters - horsemen and archers.

The right side of the block depicts a warrior with a spear holding a horse's bridle. He faces the viewer in profile on his left side with a stern look into the distance. The upper left part of the block contains the depicted riders. The lower right corner of the block contains the decor of the chambers.

As for the stamp, the design is executed in gray and white. Above the sketch is the title "Nomadic tribes of warrior horsemen". All the characters seem to be frozen in battle or hunting. In the foreground are two warriors, one of whom has drawn a bowstring and is preparing to fire. Behind them are two horsemen with spears. In the background is a cavalry army. The entire upper and left part of the stamp contains a field with information. The upper center contains the name of the series. To the right of it is the denomination and a Cimmerian decorative element. To the left of the stamp's name is the coat of arms and the name Ukraine in two languages in capital letters, as well as the year of issue.

envelope of the first day of the Cimmerian