Russia USSR postage stamps year 1991 Insects -Butterflies set MNH**
In 1991, the USSR issued its final commemorative postage stamps featuring butterflies, part of the “Red Book” series highlighting endangered species of the Soviet Union.
🦋 1991 USSR Butterfly Souvenir Sheet (Block 217)
- Issued as a souvenir block (Block No. 217), this sheet showcased one or more species of butterflies against floral backgrounds—beautifully illustrated and mint never hinged (MNH) on many collectors’ lists.
- These were special editions, often sought after by topical collectors focusing on nature, entomology, or Red Book conservation themes.
Background: USSR “Red Book” Butterfly Stamps
- Starting in 1986 and continuing through 1991, the USSR released a series of stamps under the conservation theme “Red Book of the USSR,” dedicated to endangered butterflies like Arctia festiva and Zephyrina caucasica .
- The block issues in 1991 marked the culmination of this popular and ecologically minded philatelic series.
Collectible Aspects
- The Block 217 souvenir sheet is identified in various catalogues (e.g., Michel SS #217, Scott B180) and typically includes five denominations of 4k, 5k, 10k, 15k, and 30k—though variants exist
