From the Kunstkamera to the Stars
April 29, 2026
A solemn postmark cancellation ceremony for the "Constellations" stamp series took place on April 29 in the Astronomical Hall of the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg.
The first impressions of the artistic postmark were made by Professor Andrei Golovnev, Director of the Kunstkamera; Oleg Artemyev, Cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation; and Alexander Ganikhin, Deputy Director of the Northwest and Center Regional Group of Russian Post.
The postage stamps, issued with a print run of 25,000 copies each and priced at 65 rubles, depict constellations of the Northern Hemisphere: Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Canes Venatici, and Boötes. The stamps were designed by artist Ivan Ulyanovsky.
"The Kunstkamera is a museum that begins with space, because the first major exhibit of our museum was the Gottorp Globe. In the 18th century, this globe was a marvel of science and technology, combining the celestial and terrestrial spheres. We are standing in the very place where astronomy, geography, and knowledge of space began. Every event at the Kunstkamera is unique. Today, we are canceling a stamp dedicated to the important constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. From space, by the way, it is clearly visible that Russia is the northernmost country. These two dimensions—space and the North—are vital for Russia," commented Andrei Golovnev, Director of the MAE RAS.
"We are currently in the main scientific museum of Russia, and perhaps even the entire planet. Today's ceremony is a special, historic event where two great eras meet: the Age of Discovery and the era of space exploration, which began with Russia's first observatory," said Oleg Artemyev, Cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation.
"It is symbolic that we held the special cancellation ceremony for the constellation stamps within the walls of the Kunstkamera observatory. It was here that Russian astronomy was born and celestial observations were conducted until the Pulkovo Observatory was completed in 1839. Here, one can see a variety of scientific instruments, measuring devices, complex astrolabes, elegant clockworks, and telescopes. The release of these stamps and the special postmark is a gift from Russian Post to all philately enthusiasts," said Alexander Ganikhin, Deputy Director of Russian Post.
In addition to the stamps, first-day covers have been issued, and a special cancellation postmark has been created, valid for one day only. All postal products canceled with this mark acquire additional philatelic value.
