Variety of 89th anniversary of the birth of Lenin

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This stamp was issued on April 17, 1959, under the title “89 years since the birth of V. I. Lenin”. It features a portrait of Lenin in a firm, classical style, printed on a paper of moderate quality, with linear perforation “12¼” (sometimes noted as 12½). It belongs to the series of commemorative stamps dedicated to Lenin, intended less for everyday postal use and more to reinforce his symbolic and ideological significance in Soviet society.

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Among philatelists, it is noted that examples of this stamp sometimes differ in the tone of the paper. In particular, there are specimens on whitish (paler) paper and on yellowish (slightly aged or warmer-toned) paper.

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However, it is important to emphasize that in mainstream catalogs and standard references this paper tone variation is not always registered as an official distinct variety. Most catalogues describe the “standard” issue and do not systematically treat paper-shade differences as separate catalogue entries. If you like, I can try to check specialized philatelic catalogs to see whether these paper-tone variants are catalogued with separate values.

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Postage stamp specification:
Design: N. Kruglov
Print: Metallography
Perforation: Line 12½
Circulation: 2 000 000 pcs