Postage stamps and postal history of Kyrgyzstan

First stamp, 1992

The postal history of Kyrgyzstan began when the nation declared independence in August, 1991. Under the Soviet Union, the Kyrgyz SSR postal service was an integral part of the Soviet system. The republic was periodically recognized in sets of stamps honoring the different parts of the USSR.

First stamps

Kyrgyzstan issued its first postage stamp on 4 February, 1992, a single design depicting the Sary-Chelek Nature Preserve in Jalal-Abad Province. The country's name was given in both Cyrillic and Latin letters; many Kyrgyz stamps have since done likewise, although the practice is not consistent, with some stamps only inscribed in Cyrillic and others only in Latin.

In April and June 1993, several types of Russian stamps were surcharged in ruble values, followed in August by the first stamps denominated in tyiyn.

Illegal stamps

Unauthorized stamps have been a problem for this country for several years, with private persons printing labels resembling legitimate Kyrgyz stamps, and selling them to unsuspecting collectors.

References

• Scott catalog

Sources

• Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
• Encyclopaedia of Postal History
• Rossiter, Stuart & John Flower. The Stamp Atlas. London: Macdonald, 1986. ISBN 0-356-10862-7

External links

• The State Enterprise "Kyrgyz Post"
• The State Enterprise "Kyrghyz stamp"
• Notices of illegal issues

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