Non-postal stamps UTOPIK of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments

"Non-postage stamps UTOPIK of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture."

The territory of Ukrainian lands after the war suffered significant destruction. This included both ordinary buildings, architectural masterpieces from previous years, and cultural heritage sites of the Ukrainian people. Within the framework of the new atheistic Soviet system, attention to such objects was insufficient. Publicly raised issues regarding the necessity of attention to restoration and restoration work were unsuccessful in the higher circles of the leadership of the Ukrainian SSR.

The first impetus for change came from the Republican Conference on the Conservation and Restoration of Architectural Monuments held on April 23, 1957. As a result of the conference, there was an expression of the need to create a single voluntary society for the protection of historical and cultural monuments. Specialists from 80 countries participated, and as such, it could not go unnoticed by the new government.

 Preconditions for the creation of a civic organization

The issue of the need to protect cultural monuments was first raised by figures in the fields of culture and education immediately after the end of the war in 1946. The main proposal to solve this issue was the need to involve a broad cross-section of society, and to do this through the creation of a corresponding organization. However, the main obstacle was the absence of similar structures at the all-Union level, so the issue remained unresolved for another 10 years.

The basis for the development of the government resolution "On improving the preservation of cultural monuments in the territory of the Ukrainian SSR" was the conference with international cultural experts held in Kyiv in 1957. The document, approved by the government in 1958, provided for a number of corresponding measures and organizational works. It is difficult to call them effective, as the main instrument of implementation was the empowerment of associations of architects and artists at the local level for independent maintenance of cultural monuments.

In 1961, a request for the formation of an all-Ukrainian society for the preservation of monuments was submitted to the government again, but as before, it was not considered by the higher authorities. It was only after the participation of the USSR in the international campaign for the preservation of heritage in 1964 that conditions were created for the establishment of voluntary societies for the preservation of historical and cultural monuments.

 The foundation of UTOPIC

In the spring of 1965, art historian and architect H. Logvin published an announcement in the newspaper Literary Ukraine about the creation of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. Already on August 28, 1965, a resolution was passed on the establishment of the Voluntary Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. The organizing committee, chaired by the director of the Institute of History of the Ukrainian SSR K. Dubyna, included well-known Ukrainian scholars, writers, and artists.

 The establishment of UTOPIC is considered to be December 21, 1966, after the founding congress of its participants. P. Tronko was elected as the head of the board at the beginning of 1967, who led the society for 23 years. In independent Ukraine, the activities of the organization continued under the chairmanship of the academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine P. Tolochko, who was replaced by Ph.D. in History M. Buryanova in 2015.

 Activity of the Society for the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture

Over 60 years, the Society has made a significant contribution to the preservation of Ukraine's cultural heritage. It has participated in the identification, protection, and preservation of many cultural monuments, and has facilitated the repair, restoration, and renovation of well-known national objects as well as regional landmarks. With the support of the organization, castles and fortresses, architectural ensembles, and new monuments have been properly maintained.

During the Soviet period, the Society helped save hundreds of churches and monastic complexes. In 1969, the Society created the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, which today holds national status. To create it, the organization invested 50 million karbovantsi and maintained it until 1993.

Each year, the Society allocated over 10 million karbovantsi for repair and restoration work. For comparison, the state budget provided only 5-6 million karbovantsi for these purposes. The main sources of these funds were membership fees from Society participants and collective contributions from enterprises, collective farms, institutes, and others.

In the first year of its existence, the society recruited 2 million people who expressed a desire to become members. The society's popularity grew, especially against the backdrop of Soviet totalitarianism and the persecution of everything nationally. As of 1969, the number of members was 9 million, and 20 years later it was almost 20 million.

 Issues of non-postage stamps of the UTOPIC series

In the days of the Ukrainian SSR, the post office played an important role, as it was the main communication and link not only between government agencies but also among ordinary people. At that time, the collecting hobby was actively spreading among the Soviet population. The main topics were numismatics, philately, and faleristics. However, people also collected all sorts of stickers, matchboxes, postcards, calendars, or specific netsuke in general.

 These conditions created an effective tool for receiving voluntary contributions and donations. Everyone who invested in a good cause received an incentive compliment in the form of a stamp, sticker, postcard, or ticket. Thus, the company came up with the idea of issuing a series of non-postage stamps, which helped to fill the budget of UTOPIC.

 First issues of non-postage stamps in 1964 and 1971.

The idea of creating non-postal stamps was first implemented in 1964 with the release of stamps with denominations of 10, 15, and 30 kopecks. The single-color (depending on the denomination) stamp had a sticky side and perforations along the edges. It featured a portico and an obelisk, with the denomination indicated at the bottom and the affiliation to the Ukrainian SSR at the top.

 Recognizing the merit of the idea, the society decided to continue issuing stamps, which was realized in 1971 with a more detailed development of a series of non-postal stamps. Various monuments of history and culture served as the sketches for the second series of stamps. In addition to their image on the stamp, information was included about their name, location, and the purpose of the payment – entrance fee, membership fee, and the fund for the protection of monuments. The stamp was named after its affiliation to the "Ukrainian Society for the Preservation of Monuments of History and Culture." The stamps were printed in two or three colors on white paper with a sticky side.

 Currently, there is information about the release of five stamps in the second series, which included:

 • Ostrich Castle, with a denomination of 15 kopecks;

• Monument "Legendary Tachanka," with a denomination of 10 kopecks;

• Monument on the grave of T.H. Shevchenko, with a denomination of 30 kopecks;

• Monument to V.I. Lenin, with a denomination of 50 kopecks;

• Sofia Cathedral, with a denomination of 1 karbovanets.

There may have been other stamps and denominations, but it is difficult to evaluate the entire series and the print run due to the lack of official information from UTOPIC.

 Regular stamp issues after 1974

 The previous release was considered successful, and the society decided to continue printing non-postal stamps to collect contributions and encourage people to join. Three years later, in 1974, a new third series of non-postal stamps was released, consisting of over 45 stamps with denominations ranging from 15 kopecks to 1 karbovanets. This time, paper without a sticky side was used, and the denomination and the name of the purpose of the payment were printed on the back. The stamps were issued in several print runs and differed in the paper used and the shades of ink.

Further releases were expected to feature the denomination on the front side of the stamp. The following series were released:

·         Fourth release in 1978 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 4 stamps.

·         Fifth release in 1979 with denominations of 10, 15, and 30 kopeks, known for 9 stamps.

·         Sixth release in 1985 with denominations of 50 kopeks and 1 ruble, known for 3 stamps.

·         Seventh release in 1985 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Eighth release in 1986 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Ninth release in 1987 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Tenth release in 1988 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Eleventh release in 1989 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Twelfth release in 1990 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks, known for 2 stamps.

·         Thirteenth release in 1991 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks and 1 ruble, known for 3 stamps.

·         Fourteenth release in 1992 with denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks and 1 ruble, known for 4 stamps.

Analyzing all the releases allows us to draw conclusions about the work of several artists on the designs of the stamps. Certain releases have differences in the stylistic approach of the artwork. All the images depicted on the stamps can be divided into monuments and memorials, religious buildings and icons, castles and fortresses. Some monuments are repeated on stamps from different releases.

Additional releases in the form of control stamps:

In the period from 1985 to 1989, stamps were also released as control stamps that certified the payment of membership fees. They were affixed to the member's card and came in denominations of 10 and 30 kopeks. They were horizontal stamps measuring 14.5x8.5 mm, featuring the name of the UTOPIC society, the denomination and year of release, as well as a visible membership fee. The word "korinets" was printed diagonally across the stamp, and the stamp was decorated with a small floral ornament. Red and blue inks of different shades were used for printing.