Hetmans of Ukraine series of postage stamps

Hetmans of Ukraine complete series of 16 stamps of 1995

Hetmans and Cossacks in Ukrainian philately

The subject of the Hetmanate and the Cossacks is represented quite widely in Ukrainian philately. A large number of issues are dedicated to Ukrainian heroes of the past. Starting from the first stamp in 1992, since independence, "500 Years of the Ukrainian Cossacks," Ukrposhta has been issuing stamps and blocks with Ukrainian hetmans and Cossacks for many years.  They are a symbol of the Ukrainian people's struggle for independence and freedom for many hundreds of years. Today, stamps with the leaders of the Cossack army are in great demand among philatelists in Ukraine and around the world.

A series of postage stamps with Ukrainian Hetmans in 1995

The early 1990s were difficult for our country. Old Soviet relations were destroyed, and new Ukrainian ones had not yet been built. Philately, like other areas of culture and economy, was based on the initiative of individuals.  There were not enough postage stamps to meet the needs of the postal service, so during this period stamps of the provisorium became widespread - these were stamps issued by the regional or local postal department.

We offer you an interesting and rare selection of stamps with portraits of Ukrainian hetmans. Among old collectors, this set is called the "Kirovohrad issue".

Modern collectors know little about the stamps presented in our showcase, as their number is very small and catalog compilers no longer include them in the thematic literature. Information about the presented series can be found in older issues of catalogs of postage stamps of Ukraine by J. Mulyk and the catalog by G. Lobko. Lobko's catalog Pharmacy issues of Ukraine 1992-1999, and several other old catalogs of Ukrainian stamps.

Stamps with hetmans of the Kirovohrad issue were scheduled for printing in late 1995. The large and interesting series of sixteen stamps is dedicated to all Ukrainian hetmans. The stamps were planned to be issued in a small number of copies, some of which were to be distributed through philatelic subscriptions, and some were to be distributed outside Ukraine. The initiator of the issue was the Kirovohrad (Kropyvnytskyi) Post Office, which found interested sponsors from Europe who financed the development of sketches and printing of proofs.  Some of the stamps were printed, but due to the publicity between the post office and the foreign partners, the issue was not fully funded. The stamps that were printed were destroyed, and part of the circulation ended up in private collections. The stamps were not put into postal circulation.

a series of Hetman stamps without a denomination

What is known about the 1995 Hetman postal issue.

The series consists of 16 stamps:

• Bohdan Khmelnytsky

• Danylo Apostol

• Demian Mnohohrishny

• Ivan Brukhovetskyy

• Ivan Vyhovsky

• Ivan Mazepa

• Ivan Samoylovych

• Ivan Skoropadsky

• Kyrylo Rozumovsky

• Mykhailo Doroshenko

• Mykhailo Khanenko

• Pavlo Polubotok

• Pavlo Teteria

• Petro Doroshenko

• Petro Sahaidachny

• Yuriy Khmelnytskyi

The stamps were printed at the Kyiv printing plant "Ukraine".  The exact number of stamps that were printed or put into circulation is unknown.

part of the series of Hetman stamps with a denomination of 100,000

Some of the stamps in the series were printed with a face value of 100,000 karbovanets, while others were issued without denominations. Printing is offset multicolor. Luminescent ink was used for printing, which is visible only in ultraviolet rays.  Under the rays of an ultraviolet detector, the stamps show hidden text. The upper part of the stamp bears the inscription "1995"  In the lower part of the stamp, the number "100 0000" is visible, which corresponds to the planned denomination in karbovanets.

The Hetman stamp series was printed in sheets of 36 stamps in one sheet (6*6).

The stamps were issued in two versions: with 11 ½ comb perforations and without perforations.

 The circulation of stamps without perforations is very small. If you own a stamp without perforation, you can be considered lucky. According to unconfirmed data, only a few sheets of stamps of this series without perforations were printed.  Perforated stamps are sometimes found in the collections of Ukrainian philatelists. They can be divided into two types: with and without a face value.

The stamp issue was quite professionally prepared. In addition to the stamps, themed envelopes and special redemption stamps were prepared for philatelists.

 You can add these rare stamps to your collection by making a purchase on our website.