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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 19:45
Stamps of the Russian Empire Used Abroad by S. D. Tchilinghirian and W. S. E. Stephen. Rossica is pleased to offer the digital reproduction of this publication in PDF format. Where possible, we are including amplifying information contained in the journal of the BSRP, the Rossica Journal, and the journal of the Canadian Society of Russian philately. There is more information available in various places, but will not be included in this effort.
We are putting information, albeit it out-of-date in many areas, into the hands of collectors. They must realize that this publication is simply a "seed" from which we hope the effort can grow and not an all-inclusive, up-to-date study of the subject. At some point in the future, a second edition of this work should be doable. Hopefully, by then collectors have become familiar with what is available and more importantly what needs to be added or changed. That is a task for a future. We are trying to be pro-active and offer a little vision and foresight into an area in dire need of revisit by the philatelic community.
More than 50 years ago, a couple of the world’s greatest philatelists published this epic work. If there were such a thing as a Philatelic Hall of Fame for collectors of Russian material, the people credited as being involved in the original effort would surely all be found there.
Considering this enormous task was accomplished prior to people outside the Soviet Union proper having access to archives and had to rely on what they literally had “in their hands,” they did a very impressive job of consolidating known information. There are, of course, errors that made their way into the work as well as missing information. After 50 or so years, some of the information is out-of-date. However, it remains the base document on the subject. A major rewrite is in order, but not on the immediate horizon.
Between 1960-1968, every BSRP journal contained new information on the subject in their Chronicles, which are provided in this effort. After Tchilinghirian passed away in 1967 and Stephen in 1975, the subject becomes silent for almost a decade.
Over the years, additional information has been published. However, like the original work, some of it is already out of date as well. We will include articles authored by Alexander Epstein and Dr. Raymond Casey among others.
Beyond the effort in the early years after publication and the later efforts included here, not a lot has been published. We believe there remains significant information to be updated or discovered. Placing this information into the hands of collectors allows them to see what they have that can accomplish these goals.
We are in the final stages of packaging this work for ease of use. Our plan is to start shipment to people who have purchased this work no later than the end of October or early November 2009.
What we are offering is all six books PLUS the amplifying data in PDF format on a CD ROM. At this time, we are taking orders. We are asking members of both the BSRP and Rossica to pay $45 for this effort and non-members to pay $65. This will get you the CD ROM sent First Class worldwide. What a great deal to have so much information at your fingertips!
If you are interested, please send payment now. Cash, check, money order, etc. to the Society's Treasurer. If you are paying using PayPal, the address for payments is sales@rossica.org - remember to include $1.50 for members and $5 for non-members.
Initially, we are limiting the members to a single copy. How many can you have open at one time he asks?
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