Russia stamps year 1919 Civil War West Army

The West Army (or Western Army) during the Russian Civil War in 1919 issued its own postage stamps. These stamps are notable for bearing overprints such as the Russian Orthodox cross and the Cyrillic abbreviation “З.А.” standing for West Army in Russian. The West Army was associated with general Pavel Rafalovich Bermondt-Avalov. Some issues included overprints on Russian stamps from 1917, and there are different printings, some with uncertain authenticity and debated among specialists. The West Army operated mainly in the areas of Latvia and Lithuania during the 1919 conflict and issued these stamps as part of their postal system. There were also some private or speculative issues and Cinderella stamps related to this period.

In summary, the West Army stamp issues of 1919 are overprinted Russian stamps linked to the White Army forces opposing the Bolsheviks, with notable overprints including a Russian Orthodox cross and the letters 3.A. (Western Army) in Cyrillic. These stamps are collectible and historically connected to the tumultuous events of the Russian Civil War in the western frontiers of Russia.