A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1957, Georgi Plekhanov, die proof of 40k in black, printed on white paper, size 118x117mm, signed by artist (Dubassov) and engraver (Mikheyev) at the bottom, slight folds at left and minor marginal thin on margin, otherwise excellent quality item, no gum as produced, VF and extremely rare item, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1957, Vladimir Lenin, die proof of 40k in dark carmine, printed on white paper, size 44x55mm, excellent quality, no gum as produced, VF, V. Liapine certificate stated ''...this item is a big philatelic rarity'' (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1957, Vladimir Lenin, die proof of 40k in blue, printed on white paper, size 122x98mm, signed by artist Dubassov at the bottom, excellent quality, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, Lenin Square in Stalinabad (now Dushanbe), die proof of 40k in greenish black on white paper, size 116x67mm, three different Goznak officials signatures (two on reverse), traces of correcting paper removal on the face, no thins or hidden defects, no gum as produced, F/VF and extremely rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, Prospect Rustaveli in Tbilisi, die proof of 40k in dark carmine on white paper, size 100x60mm, no gum as produced, VF, V. Liapine certificate stated ''...extremely rare item, the only example is known to me'' (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, University Square in Frunze (now Bishkek), die proof of 40k in greenish black on white paper, size 169x104mm, signed by engraver Mokrousov and two officials, Goznak seal at the bottom right, minimal paper wrinkles at the bottom, a beautiful piece, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, View of Yerevan, die proof of central design without ''1958'' at bottom right corner in myrtle green, printed on white paper, size 80x77mm, design engraver Mayorova, mounted on Goznak presentation card, fresh, no gum as produced, VF and extremely rare item, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, Round Square in Minsk, die proof of 40k in greenish black on white paper, size 165x118mm, signed by engraver Mayorova and two officials, Goznak seal at the top left, minimal paper wrinkles at the top, nice quality otherwise, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1958, definitive issue, die proof of steel worker 60k in black, printed on white paper, size 29x55mm, no gum as produced, VF and rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1959, Novodevichy Convent, die proof of unissued design with no value indicated in black, engraved design on white paper, size 47x57mm, slight traces of correcting paper removal at corners, still nice condition, no gum as produced, VF and extremely rare, only a few such proofs are in existence. Issue of the stamp had been blocked by Khrushchev as a religious propaganda, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Abkhazian Autonomous Republic, View of Sukhumi, die proof of 4k in brownish carmine, printed on white paper, size 102x76mm, official signature at the bottom, tiny blue spot at the top margin, a beautiful item, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Republic, View of Nalchik, die proof of 4k in violet black, printed on white paper, size 105x75mm, official signature at the bottom, perfect condition, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Buriat Autonomous Republic, View of Ulan-Ude, die proof of 4k in brownish carmine, printed on white paper, size 100x78mm, official signature at the bottom, tiny natural paper inclusion at the top, fresh and nice otherwise, no gum as produced, VF, V. Liapine certificate stated ''...such proofs usually produced in solitary examples'' (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Komi Autonomous Republic, View of Syktyvkar, die proof of 4k in black violet, printed on white paper, size 110x80mm, official signature Goznak violet seal at the bottom, astonishing condition, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Bashkir Autonomous Republic, View of Ufa, die proof of 4k in brownish carmine, printed on white paper, size 84x62mm, official signature at the bottom, flawless condition, no gum as produced, VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, definitive issue, Moscow Kremlin and Earth Orbit, die proof of engraved design for 6k in black, printed on special Goznak paper, size 90x54mm, slight paper wave at right, perfect quality otherwise, VF and extremely rare, issued stamp had been produced by intaglio printing, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, definitive issue, Airplane over Power Station and Earth Orbit, sunken die proof of engraved design for 16k in olive black, printed on special Goznak paper, size 100x55mm, VF and extremely rare, issued stamp had been produced by intaglio printing, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, definitive issue, Vladimir Lenin, plate proof of 20k in brown black, perforated at three sides with L12¼, microprint of ''1961'' at right of Lenin's head, design is close to stamp of 40k issued in 1959, but in fact that is proof of 50k value issued in 1961 (artist of both issues P. Vassilyev), full OG, NH, VF, the similar proof is shown in the A. Pevzner Monograph (page 234), Raritan Stamps guarantee (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Vissarion Belinsky, die proof in black of portrait in frame and text (engraved part of the design), printed on special Goznak paper, size 61x83mm, a beautiful piece, VF and rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Vissarion Belinsky, sunken die proof in black of engraved portrait only, printed on special Goznak paper, size 92x61mm, official signature at the bottom, VF, V. Liapine certificate stated ''...(the item) is an exceptional rarity'' (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1961, Vissarion Belinsky, die proof in black of the portrait only, printed on special Goznak paper, size 73x60mm, marginal fold at right edge, still VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1963, Vladimir Mayakovsky, die proof of 4k in black, printed on white paper, size 170x101mm, design engraver Mayorova, ofiicial Goznak seal reads: ''Strogiy Uchet'' (Strict Record), archival fold at right and slight traces of correcting paper removal, still fresh, close to VF and very rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1966, Musa Djalil, Tatar Poet, sunken die proof of engraved design (portrait) in black, produced on white paper, size 87x105mm, design engraver Mokrousov, internal tear at the bottom part of proof, nice and fresh otherwise, VF and rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1966, Sergey Kirov, die proof of 4k in indigo, printed on white paper, approximate size 120x82mm, official signature at the bottom, folded in the middle, excellent condition, no gum as produced, VF and rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)

A Fragment of the Die Proofs Collection. 1966, Sergey Kirov, die proof of 4k in indigo, printed on coated light blue paper, approximate size 122x80mm, design engraver Sopronov, folded in the middle, excellent condition, no gum as produced, VF and rare, V. Liapine certificate (Image)