This is the Registered letter I received 20 years ago from Soviet Union (USSR - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or abbreviated as CCCP). Date received 9 Feb 1990, with Kuala Lumpur circular date postmark. Date sent from Moscow was 28 Jan 1990. It took approximately 2 weeks via registered airmail. The postage rate was 1.5 Ruble (or 150 kopeks, 3 stamps with 50k each). For standard weight letter, only cost 50k during that time.
Then why it was 3 times higher than the standard weight rate? It is because it contained a lot of stamps inside this cover :-) 20 years ago, when I am still a student, I actively into pen pal for exchanging stamps and postcards. There is no Postcrossing that time, no Internet, one common way of acquiring postally used cover is through pen pal.
I also wrote to almost all the philatelic bureau around the world to get new issues information, bulletins and in the later stage, with many years of efforts, I compiled a valuable list of Philatelic Bureau addresses worldwide. I learned the world map through these interesting and fun process. After 2 decades, when I looked back the list, there are many changes in the world map, Soviet Union is no longer appear and separated into many countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. New country independence such as East Timor. Hong Kong and Macau returned to Mainland China, Yugoslavia dissolved and many more.
Today, with a simple Google search, you can download these address list effortlessly. You can even go to respective philatelic bureau website to check for new issue information and place order online. This is the power of today technology. Collectors today can leverage FaceBook, Blog, online Forum, Postcrossing to make new friends, exchanging covers, postcards and stamps.
The above cover shown is the pre-stamped enveloped, with a printed 50k stamp and airmail label. The registration label is indicated by the hand stamped rectangular postmark. These simple cover bring back lot of my youth day memories.
I will post few more similar covers in my later posting.
To view details, click the cover for enlarge viewing.
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