US anniversary stamp

Both the former Soviet Union and the United States have issued numerous postage stamps to commemorate their achievements in space. The Soviet stamps, listed in the Stanley Gibbons catalogues under Russia, were produced in vast quantities and most of them can still be obtained cheaply, particularly if they are used (postmarked).

Collecting these stamps is an interesting way of charting the progress of lunar exploration over the past half century. Many other countries have also produced stamps depicting lunar exploration, although most of these countries had no involvement in the missions at all.

I have chosen a selection of interesting stamps from other countries, mostly from the Communist (or formerly Communist) bloc. I have added descriptions of each item. The reference numbers come from the Stanley Gibbons catalogue and are included to help you identify the stamps; other catalogues give different identifying numbers. For more about astronomy and space on stamps, see my astro-stamp pages.

Ian Ridpath