Nowadays each country needs it's 'special one' in order to be up-to-date, or at least not to do less then other countries.
This 'odd stamp' thing is becoming expensive, as special cuts often means 'special price' as well.
However, seeing the beauty of the sheets, it's worth buying them over and over again.
Today, a Russian 'odd shaped sheet' ...
On 1 July, 2011 Russia issued a Souvenir Sheet which depicts the badge of the Order of St. Andrew on the Order's chain, star and ribbon of the Order.
It is the highest state awards of the
Russian Federation. The
decoration is conferred outstanding statesmen and public figures, as
well as other citizens of the Russian Federation for the exceptional
services, promoting prosperity, grandeur and glory of Russia.
The shape of the sheetlet is like the necklace
The Order was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, in honour of Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and patron saint of Russia. It was bestowed in a single class and was only awarded for the most outstanding civilian or military merit.
Count Fyodor Golovin was the first recipient of the order. Until its abolition following the Russian Revolution of 1917, just over one thousand awards had been made. During the monarchy, recipients of the Order of St. Andrew also automatically received the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the White Eagle, the Order of St. Anne first class, and the Order St. Stanislaus first class. Moreover, recipients of lower ranks were automatically promoted to the rank of lieutenant general or vice admiral.
The order was officially re-instated as the highest Russian civilian and military award by Presidential Decree 757 on June 1, 1998
Mikhail Gorbachev received the award as he was the last general secratary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
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| Mikhail Gorbachev |
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| the Order's chain - early design |
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| the Order's chain - new design |
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| Saint Andrew's cross and double eagle |
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