AUDRIUS BRAZDEIKIS

The First Bi-color Stamp of Lithuania–1919 Raseiniai District Local Issue

Single Frame Exhibit

Description:  After the German withdrawal from the area at the end of 1918, the local self-administration, Raseiniai District Committee, began setting up a local Lithuanian postal circuit. In December of 1918, the Kadushin Printing Establishment was commissioned to produce a temporary supply of stamps. With a black frame and green center, the 15-kopeks Raseiniai district local issue was the first bi-color stamp issued in Lithuania, which eventually underwent two printings, consisting of 14,400 and 22,224 stamps.

This is a new single-frame traditional exhibit that tells the story of the Raseiniai district local issue stamps from their production to their use in early 1919. Shown are both printings, stamp production details, center color variations, updated vertical and horizontal gutter margin values, plating guides, typeset and frame varieties, misperforations and perforation errors, and later forgeries. Also shown are various cancellations found on these stamps. Finally, shown are the largest known multiples and full sheets (panes), and various covers from this early period of the Lithuanian philately which are terribly elusive.