Gombojab Tsybikov (1873–1930) was a Russian traveler, ethnographer, orientalist specialized in Buddhist studies, a statesman, translator, and a professor. He became famous as the first known photographer of Lhasa and Central Tibet and the author of the travelogue to Tibet (1899-1902).
In 1899-1902, Tsybikov traveled to Tibet with a group of pilgrims, with carefully hidden research equipment. He spent most of his time in Lhasa, the capital of the country, and the surrounding monasteries, where he took a number of unique photographs (about 200 in total) and was granted an audience with the 13th Dalai Lama. Tsybikov was making his photographic work and diary keeping in secret, under the threat of being disclosed. After his journey was over, he devoted himself to teaching and to the project of translating the Lamrim fundamental work by Tibetan scholar Je Tsongkhapa. In 1906-1917, he headed the Mongolian literature department at the St. Petersburg University.
The commemorative stamp provides symbolic images of geographical projects; the main illustration features a portrait of Gombojab Tsybikov with his photograph of the Potala Palace in Lhasa in the background, as well as the RGS logo.
| Denomination |
Paper |
Printing method |
Format of the postal card |
Edition |
| Letter “B” |
Chalk surfaced |
Offset |
105 × 148 mm |
6,5 thousand postcards |