The Dr. Nikitin Collection of Zemstvo
November 28, 2012
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #2141 RUSSIA - ZEMSTVO SUMY 1869 (14 Aug) outer FL franked with Imperial 10k brown and blue (small faults), used from Rylsk (in the Kursk province) via the capital of the Sumy district (16 Aug) to the village of Nikolaevka-Krivomarki, endorsed "Nuzhnoye" (necessary or urgent). In Sumy, the cover was conveyed to the local Zemstvo post, confirmed by the superb strike of "Sumskaya Zemskaya Pochta 1869 Aug 17." According to the accompanying 2002 Dr.Greis certificate, the strike is "the earliest one known to me. Its quality is remarkable (great rarity). The postmark device was worn out over the many years of its use and its strikes became less readable. Finally, even the year, month and day were erased from the postmark device and the date was written manually into the free space."  | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #2142 RUSSIA - ZEMSTVO SUMY 1870 cover used locally within the district, to Novo-Sukhanovka village of Tereshkovka volost, franked with local imperf. 5k dark carmine, tied by the undated "Sumskaya Zemskaya Pochta" head post office pmk, little toning, otherwise fine, with intact wax seal on back | Price Realized $1,900.00 |
