Ukrainian Trident Overprint on Russian Imperial Arms Stamp

Ukraine · 1918 · 35 kopecks

This stamp is a Russian Imperial Arms definitive stamp overprinted with a stylized trident (tryzub), the national symbol of Ukraine. The overprint was applied in Kyiv to signify the establishment of the Ukrainian People's Republic and its postal authority. The underlying stamp features the double-headed eagle of Imperial Russia.

Issued in 1918, this stamp represents the first postal issue of the newly independent Ukrainian People's Republic following the collapse of the Russian Empire. The overprinting of existing Russian stamps was a practical measure to quickly establish a national postal system.