The Arctic convoys of World War II were special formations of cargo and guard ships, which sailed from the North Atlantic ports to Soviet northern ports. According to the obligations set forth at the 1941 Moscow Conference, Lend-Lease program and other agreements, the United States and Great Britain supplied weaponry, materiel and other cargoes to the Soviet Union.
From 1941 to 1945, 41 convoys arrived at Soviet ports and 36 convoys left them altogether. The northern route played a major part in delivering strategic cargoes during the first stage of the war. The risk was justified by the swift delivery of weapons to the Eastern Front during the most difficult period of the Soviet Union history. By July 1942, the northern convoys delivered 964,000 tons of weapons, materiel and food to the Soviet Union, which accounted for 61% of all the cargoes imported into the USSR.
The postage stamp features a bas-relief depicting a group of sailors and a convoy that took part in the voyages.
Additionally, JSC “Marka” has manufactured an illustrated cover with the stamps and first day covers with cancellation (Moscow) inside.
Design: S. Ulyanovskiy.
Face value: 41 RUB.
Size of stamp: 65×32.5 mm, size of sheet: 180×180 mm.
Form of issue: sheet with illustrated margins of 7 (2×4) stamps and a coupon.
Circulation: 287,000 stamps (41,000 sheets).
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