1920 5r-40r RSFSR, Russia, ‘New World’ Unapproved Indigo Essays by E. Lanceray, Marx & Lenin, Se-tenant Sheet of 6 (120x78mm), Certificate, Extremely Rare

1920 "New World" – Unapproved Essays by Eugene Lanceray

One of the very first attempts to create postage stamps for Soviet Russia. In 1920 the artist Eugene Lanceray (E. Lancere) prepared designs for the first definitive issue of the RSFSR. The project was never approved, and these designs exist only as essays.

Six designs printed together in indigo, intaglio (square raster), on a piece of thick white paper, 120 x 78 mm:

- 5r Karl Marx – two versions with light and dark frame

- 5r Vladimir Lenin

- 5r Hammer and Anvil with the RSFSR monogram and rising sun – symbol of "liberated labour"

- 20r "A Hand Holding a Hammer" – the slogan "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" over a crumbling Stock Exchange

- 40r "The Birth of a New World" – a child with a palm branch rising above the ruins of the old world.

Fresh colour, clear impression, wide margins all around. Originally produced without gum; the gum was added later by the Soviet foreign trade organisation to make such items look like issued postage stamps. Yellowed, striped gum on the back, Very Fine. Certificate.

Extremely rare, especially as a se-tenant sheet of six.

Standard Catalogue #UD17-18, UD23, UD25.

An important item for collectors of early Soviet stamp design, RSFSR essays and proofs, and Lenin & Marx topicals.