Description of the Stamp Collection "Monument to the Great October Socialist Revolution"

This collection of two stamps issued by the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (UTOPIK) serves as an important historical testimony to an era when Soviet-era monuments held symbolic significance. Released in 1978 and 1979, these stamps were intended to support the restoration of the monument dedicated to the Great October Socialist Revolution, which stood in the center of Kyiv from 1977 to 1991.

Stamp of the Fourth Issue (1978)

The stamp is designed in a classic rectangular format measuring 38 mm x 53 mm with perforation 12 x 12½. It features two-color printing on white paper, lending it a restrained yet expressive aesthetic. The composition is framed by a rectangular border, within which historical and cultural monuments are harmoniously presented.

The text in Ukrainian highlights the stamp's purpose: “Membership fee” and “Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments”, along with the nominal value. The placement of inscriptions and the harmonious color scheme emphasize the importance of preserving historical landmarks.

The central focus of the stamp is an illustration of the Monument to the Great October Socialist Revolution—a monumental composition symbolizing the Soviet era. The granite pylon, 18.4 meters high and topped with a sculpture of Vladimir Lenin, stands on a stylobate. In front are four bronze figures: a worker, a peasant woman, a female worker, and a sailor, each 5.25 meters tall. Their grandeur and monumentality are striking, even in miniature form on the stamp.

Stamp of the Fifth Issue (1979)

The second stamp in this collection represents the fifth UTOPIK issue. It features a reduced format—26 mm x 39 mm or 39 mm x 26 mm—allowing for a compact yet detailed representation. The perforation is 12½ x 12 or 12 x 12½, and the printing uses two or three colors, adding richness and dynamism to the design.

This stamp reproduces the sketches of the third and fourth issues in a more concise execution. The smaller format does not detract from the monument's grandeur. Like its predecessor, it emphasizes the central composition: the pylon, Lenin's figure, and the group of bronze figures. The color palette conveys a striking contrast between the red granite and the bronze shades of the statues, giving the image depth.

The inscriptions on the stamp remain consistent with the previous issue: an explanatory note “Membership fee” and a border with the text “Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments” underline the monument’s cultural and historical significance.

Historical Context

The Monument to the Great October Socialist Revolution, located in the former October Revolution Square (now Independence Square), symbolized Soviet ideology. Its central element—a pylon made of red granite, 18.4 meters high—was crowned with an 8.9-meter-tall figure of Vladimir Lenin. Bronze sculptures of a worker, a peasant woman, a female worker, and a sailor complemented the composition, representing the key social classes that supported the revolution.

After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, the monument was dismantled by decision of the Kyiv City Council. A shopping center was later built on its site.

Collectible Value

Both stamps in this series are not only philatelic rarities but also historical artifacts. Their design reflects the ideals of the time when they were created, and today they gain particular importance as witnesses to Ukraine's complex historical past. For collectors, they are a valuable addition that preserves the memory of former ideals, art, and events.