In a significant moment for Cinderella stamp collectors, an impressive stamp recently sold for $4,600 (including Buyer's Premium) at Oldlouis Auctions on May 27, 2025. A fascinating relic from the twilight of the Russian Empire, the 1915 1 kopeck issue from the Iron Brigade Communications Committee in Odessa.
1 kopeck issue from the Iron Brigade Communications
Committee in Odessa
A Cinderella With a Military Backbone
Unlike official government-issued postage, Cinderella stamps are labels that resemble postage stamps but were never intended for postal use. They often served charitable, political, or propaganda purposes, and this particular example is a testament to wartime improvisation and community efforts during World War I.
The Iron Brigade Communications Committee stamp was issued in Odessa — a strategic port on the Black Sea — during a time of enormous military and social upheaval. It was produced by a local committee to raise funds for support war veterans and their families.
The 4th Rifle Brigade is a rifle formation of the army infantry of the Russian Imperial Army. The brigade received the unofficial name "Iron Brigade" after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, during which it took part in the most difficult military operations (the crossing of the Danube at Zimnitsa, the Trans-Balkan campaign of the Advance Detachment of General Gurko, the rescue of Shipka, etc.), demonstrating valor in the fight against superior Turkish forces and nature. The brigade received the second name "Iron" during the First World War for its steadfastness and impeccable performance of command tasks.
Exceptional Rarity
What makes this cinderella stamp particularly desirable to advanced collectors is its extreme rarity because of its colors - it was printed in unusual for this issue yellow and pale green colors. Not much examples of this issue have survived.
Setting a New Record
Selling for $4,600, this 1 kopek Odessa Cinderella now holds the record for the most expensive non-postal Russian charity stamp ever sold. It highlights the growing interest in non-traditional areas of philately, particularly among collectors seeking historically significant material.
The Rise of Non-Postal Collectibles
While traditional imperial and Soviet-era postage remains a cornerstone of Russian philately, the market for Cinderella material has gained remarkable traction, especially in recent years. These stamps tell deeper, more localized stories — often tied to war relief efforts, charitable organizations, or revolutionary propaganda — and offer collectors unique insights into the social and political landscapes of the time.
Oldlouis Auctions, known for its extensive offerings and $1 start prices on rare philatelic items, continues to lead the way in surfacing rare and unusual material like this. The sale of the Iron Brigade Communications Committee stamp stands as a milestone in both the auction house’s history and the broader world of Russian philately.
