"To the Defenders of Lviv". A Commemorative Stamp Series Marking the 40th Anniversary of the November Uprising, 1958 (5 stamps)

In 1958, a commemorative series of postage stamps was released in emigration to honor the 40th anniversary of the November Uprising — a heroic act by Ukrainian soldiers that marked the birth of the Western Ukrainian People's Republic. The uprising, carried out during the night of October 31 to November 1, 1918, involved the bloodless seizure of key administrative buildings in Lviv by Ukrainian troops. A blue-and-yellow national flag was raised over the City Hall, and political control of the city was transferred to Ukrainians. This act was a powerful expression of the national will for statehood, which had been growing within Galician society amid the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The stamp artwork, created by renowned Ukrainian artist Stepan Gorynsky, portrays the scene with profound emotional and historical depth. At the center of each stamp stands a resolute and armed soldier of the Ukrainian Galician Army — a symbol of strength, honor, and sacrifice. The foreground depicts ruins, a reminder of the dramatic events of those times, while the background features the domes of Lviv’s historic churches, reflecting the spiritual foundation of Ukrainian statehood.

The inscription "1918–1958 November UPRISING" appears prominently on each stamp, emphasizing the significance of the event and the intent of the series — to honor the fearless defenders of their homeland. Above the stamp block is another inscription: "To the Defenders of Lviv — the City of the Western Bastion", which adds a heraldic grandeur to the composition.

This stamp series, dedicated to Ukrainian heroes, is a revised edition of a previous 1951 release. The artistic design remains unchanged, but the background color was altered from white to yellow — a shade symbolizing light, hope, and rebirth.

The Underground Post of Ukraine issued this series with the following denominations: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and 125 shahs.
Print run:

• 10–50 shahs: perforated — 3,600 copies, imperforate — 360 copies

• 100 & 125 shahs: perforated — 1,800 copies, imperforate — 180 copies

Dedicated to a grand historical event, this stamp series is not only a philatelic rarity, but also a silent witness to Ukrainian valor. These miniature monuments on paper preserve the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom. The November Uprising remains one of the brightest chapters in the history of the Ukrainian national liberation movement — and this series is its artistic echo, a tribute to the enduring struggle for independence