Confirmed varieties of stamps of 2nd National Spartacist Game

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In 1959, the USSR issued a commemorative set of postage stamps dedicated to the Second Summer Spartakiad of the Peoples of the Soviet Union. This major sporting event served as a national celebration of physical culture, bringing together teams from all across the country, including industrial enterprises, factories, educational institutions, and the republics of the Soviet Union.

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The series includes four stamps, each illustrating a different sport:

• Water polo players in dynamic motion, reflecting the intensity and competitive spirit of aquatic disciplines.

• A gymnast captured in mid-air, symbolizing grace, strength, and technical mastery.

• A track-and-field runner on a vibrant green background, representing speed, endurance, and the forward-looking energy of Soviet sports.

• A ceremonial composition with two athletes holding an emblem of the Spartakiad against a vivid red background, emphasizing the festive and unifying nature of the event.

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The stamps are characterized by a bright, contrasting color palette featuring deep reds, greens, purples, and blues, which enhances their dynamic visual style and underscores the celebratory atmosphere of the Spartakiad.

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The Spartakiad itself was held in Moscow in August 1959, featuring a wide range of sports such as athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting, and many others. Beyond their postal function, these stamps played an important ideological role, highlighting the unity of the Soviet peoples, the strength of collective effort, and the importance of mass sport within the socialist way of life.

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​Confirmed varieties of stamps of 2nd National Spartacist Games, Gymnast

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1. broken 2nd "О" in "НАРОДОВ"

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​Confirmed varieties of stamps of 2nd National Spartacist Games, Runner

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1. without streak on the breast - minor variety

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Confirmed varieties of stamps of 2nd National Spartacist Games, Athletes

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1. red spot on the T-shirt - minor variety

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Confirmed varieties of stamps of 2nd National Spartacist Games, Water polo

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1. dots after "Р" in "СПАРТАКИАДА"