Post by I.M. DeBear on Mar 19, 2023 19:15:59 GMT -5
Kazakhstan is home to Baikonur Cosmodrome, by far Earth's largest spaceport at 4173.75 sq.mi. (6717 sq.km.). In comparison, Kennedy Space Center is a mere 220 sq.mi. (570 sq.km.). Kazakhstan has granted Russia a lease on Baikonur that's good until 2050.
This set of four 1992 overprints from Kazakhstan feature a Buran-class orbiter, which was a Soviet copy of the American Space Shuttle orbiter. The only Buran ever completely built to flightworthiness accomplished an unmanned orbital flight from Baikonur on 15NOV1988, completing two orbits and acing the mission by self-landing back at Baikonur in heavy crosswinds, and within 10 feet of its target. These Buran overprints display Kazakhstan's justifiable pride in such a history.
Michel lists a set of four as #s 8A, 8B, 9, and 10. These are not listed in the current 2022 Scott's, although it seems to me that Scott did list them when they first came out. There are many numbers missing from the Kazakhstan listings in the current Scott's, where previously listed items were removed due to various opinions as to the legitimacy of their issuance. Scott has treated similar stamps of other post-Soviet countries in the same manner, notably the (Trident-overprinted) first twelve issues of the modern Ukrainian Republic, which are thoroughly documented items listed by many Ukrainian and other catalogues.
Complicating all that, and possibly because of it, Buran forgeries and frauds abound. I don't recall Scott ever listing any Buran overprints on the red stamps. In the pictures below, keep an eye on the Buran's left wing and note how the size varies wildly. For comparison, the only ones I'm sure are genuine are the three left-margin pairs (with and without overprint). These came to me in 1993 from Jim Czyl, acknowledged expert in this area. I think the imperforate #8B was probably issued a bit later than the three perforated stamps, as Jim would not have failed to include it in the set if it came out with the other three.
Kazakhstan Mi. #8A, 8B, 9, 10, complete set/4 Buran overprints.
I acquired these in 1994.
This set of four 1992 overprints from Kazakhstan feature a Buran-class orbiter, which was a Soviet copy of the American Space Shuttle orbiter. The only Buran ever completely built to flightworthiness accomplished an unmanned orbital flight from Baikonur on 15NOV1988, completing two orbits and acing the mission by self-landing back at Baikonur in heavy crosswinds, and within 10 feet of its target. These Buran overprints display Kazakhstan's justifiable pride in such a history.
Michel lists a set of four as #s 8A, 8B, 9, and 10. These are not listed in the current 2022 Scott's, although it seems to me that Scott did list them when they first came out. There are many numbers missing from the Kazakhstan listings in the current Scott's, where previously listed items were removed due to various opinions as to the legitimacy of their issuance. Scott has treated similar stamps of other post-Soviet countries in the same manner, notably the (Trident-overprinted) first twelve issues of the modern Ukrainian Republic, which are thoroughly documented items listed by many Ukrainian and other catalogues.
Complicating all that, and possibly because of it, Buran forgeries and frauds abound. I don't recall Scott ever listing any Buran overprints on the red stamps. In the pictures below, keep an eye on the Buran's left wing and note how the size varies wildly. For comparison, the only ones I'm sure are genuine are the three left-margin pairs (with and without overprint). These came to me in 1993 from Jim Czyl, acknowledged expert in this area. I think the imperforate #8B was probably issued a bit later than the three perforated stamps, as Jim would not have failed to include it in the set if it came out with the other three.
Kazakhstan Mi. #8A, 8B, 9, 10, complete set/4 Buran overprints.
I acquired these in 1994.
