Scouting in the Baltic Countries. A History in Philately

Darius Liutikas

Scouting in the Baltic Countries A History in Philately

Darius Liutikas

Scouting in the Baltic Countries A History in Philately

VILNIUS 2018

Content Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

I. History of World Scouting

9

Founder of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Development of World Scouting and Guiding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Scout Movement in Philately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

II. Scouting in Estonia

41

Estonian Scout Movement 1912-1940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 The 3rd National Scouts Jamboree, 1936 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Estonian Scouts in Exile. Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Estonian Scouts in Exile. USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Estonian Scouts in Exile. Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Estonian Scouts in Exile. Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Estonian Scouts in Exile. Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Estonian Scouts after the Restoration of Independence in 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 The Centenary of Estonian Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

III. Scouting in Latvia

197

Latvian Scout Movement 1917-1940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The 3rd and 4th National Scouts Jamborees in 1934 and 1938 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Latvian Scouts in Exile from the End of World War II to 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Latvian Scouts after the Restoration of Independence in 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Centenary of Latvian Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IV. Scouting in Lithuania

269

Lithuanian Scout Movement 1918-1940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Visit of Baden-Powell to the Baltic Countries, 1933 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The 2nd National Scouts Jamboree, 1938 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lithuanian Scouts at Displaced Persons Camps in Germany, 1945-1949 . . . . . . . . . . .

Lithuanian Scouts in Exile, 1950-1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lithuanian Scouts after the Restoration of Independence in 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Centenary of Lithuanian Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

V. Illustrated Glossary of Philatelic Terms

198 208 218 234 262

270 282 292 304 318 350 378

388

World Scout Jamborees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408 Estonian Scouts and Guides Main Jamborees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 Latvian Scouts and Guides Main Jamborees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410 Lithuanian Scouts and Guides Main Jamborees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414

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Foreword The beginning of the history of the Scout Movement in the Baltic countries is in 1912, when the first Scout troops were formed in Estonia. The first Scout troops were formed in Latvia in 1917, and in Lithuania in 1918. The history of Scouting of the Baltic countries has very similar details and intertwines with the overall history of the Baltic States. The founder of world Scouting, Robert Baden Powell, visited the Baltic countries during his trip on the ship Calgaric in 1933. Organizations of the Scout Movement were particularly active before World War II in their respective countries, followed by activities in refugee camps during and after World War II. Scouting was forbidden in the Baltic countries during the fifty years of the Soviet Occupation. Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Scouts developed their activities in exile. The Scout Movement in the Baltic countries was re-established after the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of 1980s.

Many Scouts and collectors collect post stamps on the Scouting theme. Usually, these stamps are well designed and could be recognized by the Scout symbol – a stylised lily or fleur-de-lis.

The main events of the history of Scouting in the Baltic countries are depicted in philatelic items.

The history of Scouting in the Baltic countries is illustrated not only by official post stamps, covers or postcards. A lot of revenue stamps and souvenir covers have been made to commemorate various Scouting events.

Philately has a rich history; it involves not only collecting but also the study of postage stamps and other related items. In the past, messengers and couriers handed various news, letters and parcels. Rowland Hill actively participated in English postal reform, which began in 1835. On 1 May 1840, the first postal stamp “Penny Black” became available for distribution. The stamp value was one penny, and it had a profile engraving of the English Queen Victoria. A few days later, the blue two pence stamp was introduced. The idea of issuing postage stamps spread quickly. In 1843, post stamps were published in the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland and in Brazil. In 1847, the first stamps were issued in the United States, and in 1849, in

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France and Bavaria. In Tsarist Russia, which ruled the Baltic countries, the first post stamps were issued in 1857. They started to circulate in 1858. The first post stamps in independent Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were published in 1918.

Soon after 1840, when Rowland Hill created the first post stamps, philately was born. The first known post stamp collector was Dr. J. E. Gray, a representative of the British Museum. In 1841, he issued a notice in the daily newspaper The Times that he was looking for post stamps. Interest in collecting increased when the number of post stamps multiplied and it became difficult to obtain the first postage stamps of different countries. The first international philatelic exhibition was held in Vienna in 1890.

This book presents a thematic collection. The thematic collection is compiled to reflect a specific topic or events (e. g. history of the Scout Movement). The authors chose the collections plan. The collection includes the necessary items to reflect the topic – post stamps, postmarks, cachets, postcards, covers, commemorative cards and labels.

The study and collection of postcards is called deltiology or philocarty. Many postcards were sent through the post, but others were obtained as souvenirs, items that you can save, trade or share with your friends and relatives. Various classifications could be applied for Scout themed postcards and postal stationery. Postcards could be sorted into printed (using printing presses or other printing techniques) and real photo postcards (produced on photographic paper). Printed postcards could be classified as animated or based on photos.

Other classifications could be related to the publisher of the postcards. The production of postcards is a non-regulated activity. The publisher could be Scout organizations, other local, regional or national organizations, and private persons. In general Scouting topical postcards have historic, aesthetic and overall content significance. The collection presented in this book includes only printed animated or photo based postcards. It doesn’t include photographs or unitary real photo postcards. Too many photos on this topic exist, so it could be the object of another project.

Foreword

More than 1,000 philatelic items from the Baltic countries are presented in this book. The book is divided into five main parts. The history of World Scouting is presented in Part I. In Parts II, III and IV the history of Scouting in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is presented. In Part V we can find the Illustrated Glossary of Philatelic Terms. At the end of the book the World and National Scout Jamborees are presented in the information tables.

This book is intended for readers of all ages, current Scouts and those who are interested in Scouting and youth organizations. This book should be interesting to former Scouts and their family members. They will be reminded of a time when they had youthful smiles and open hearts to the world. This book should also be interesting for philatelists and collectors of Scout memorabilia and employees of postal systems. Collectors also can use this book as a catalogue. A number of illustrations identify different stamps, covers and postcards.

All the illustrations in the book are from the author’s personal collection. The collection was

started in preparation for the book Skautai. Dievui, Tėvynei, Artimui! Skautybė pašto ženkluose (Scouts. For God, For Homeland, For Neighbour!

Scouting on Post Stamps), which was published at the beginning of 2012. A more active period of the collection of Scouting items of the Baltic countries started from 1 May 2013, when the part of Latvian and Estonian philatelic items were obtained. The main sources of the collection were online auctions and shopping websites (Ebay, Delcampe, Aagallery, etc.) and private collectors met at the collectors’ meetings in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and EuroScout exhibitions. The author especially thanks Pauli Ihamaki (Finland), Nikolaj Aleinikov (Latvia), Vaido Lillemaa (Estonia) and Nomeda Bepirštytė (Lithuania) for their cooperation, exchanged knowledge and philatelic items. The size of post stamps, postcards and other philatelic items presented in this book are close to the original size.

This book is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scout Movement (1918-2018).

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WORLD SCOUTING

The Scout Movement in Philately

ESTONIA

[1.27.] The first post stamps of Scouting topic. Cape of Good Hope. Mafeking. 1900.

Ghana, 1991

St. Vincent, 1991

Bophuthatswana, 1982

Tonga, 1982

[1.28.] Mafeking stamps on the stamps of other countries.

33

WORLD SCOUTING

The Scout Movement in Philately

ESTONIA

[1.30.] The first Scout topic post stamps after the foundation of the Scout Movement.

Czechoslovakia. 1918.

[1.31.] Color variations of the first Scout topic post stamps after the foundation of the Scout Movement. Czechoslovakia. 1918.

[1.32.] Circular postmarks of Scout post. Czechoslovakia. 1918.

Maldives, 1992

Grenadines of St. Vincent, 1991

[1.33.] Czechoslovakia Scout topic stamps on the stamps of other countries.

35

[2.59.] Photo sent from the 3rd National Estonian Scout Jamboree to Tallinn.

Special Jamboree postmark was used (1936-07-17).

ESTONIA

The 3rd National Scouts Jamboree, 1936

[2.60.] Postcard sent from 3rd National Estonian Scout Jamboree to Nõmme (1936-07-17).

[2.61.] Letter written on birch bark roll.

Jamboree postmark was used (1936-07-19).

67

ESTONIA

Estonian Scouts in Exile. Germany

[2.75.] Sheet of eight Estonian D. P. Scout stamps. 1948.

[2.76.] Cover sent to Canada from the U. S. zone in Germany. Estonian D. P. Scout stamps used on the cover (1948-12-19).

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[3.28.] Photo sent from the 3rd Latvian Scouts Jamboree in Asari II to Lvov (Lviv) (1934-07-29).

LATVIA

The 3rd and 4th National Scouts Jamborees in 1934 and 1938

[3.29.] Machine postmark used to advertise the 3rd Latvian Scouts Jamboree in Asari II (1934-06-27).

211

[3.36.] Special postmark with a changeable date used at the 4th National Jamboree of Latvian Scouts in Lielupe. 1938.

LATVIA

The 3rd and 4th National Scouts Jamborees in 1934 and 1938

[3.37.] Postcard sent to Finland. Special postmark of the 4th National Jamboree was used (1938-07-30).

215

Latvian Scouts in Exile from the End of World War II to 1989

LATVIA

[3.68.] Souvenir cover with special postmark and cachets of the 4th Latvian Scouts and Guides Jamboree which was held at Rose City, Michigan, USA. 1982.

[3.69.] Souvenir cover with special postmark and cachet of the 4th Latvian Scouts and Guides Jamboree.

Postmarked on 26 August, 1982.

[3.70.] Cover with special postmark of the 4th Latvian Scouts and Guides Jamboree. 1982.

229

The 2nd National Scouts Jamboree, 1938

[4.49.] Used stamps of the 2nd National Boy and Girl Scouts Jamboree set. Lithuanian Post, 1938.

[4.51.] Plate error of the brown 60+15 value stamp. White hook after number “1” of “1938.” Lithuanian Post, 1938.

[4.52.] Plate error of the brown 60+15 value stamp.

Brown spot on the letter “A.” Lithuanian Post, 1938.

[4.53.] Plate error of the brown 60+15 value stamp. Break of the Olympic Circle (possibility 500 times). Lithuanian Post, 1938.

LITHUANIA

[4.50.] Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Overprints used on semi postal stamps. 1938.

[4.54.] Size variations of the red 15+5 value stamp. Lithuanian Post, 1938.

295

Lithuanian Scouts at Displaced Persons Camps in Germany, 1945-1949

[4.99.] Postcard with special cachets and souvenir stamps of the 3rd Lithuanian Boy Scouts National Jamboree sent from Mittenwald to Schongau (1948-08-05).

LITHUANIA

[4.98.] Postcard with special cachet of the 3rd Lithuanian National Jamboree (2-14 August, 1948) sent from Mittenwald to Mettlach (1948-08-06).

[4.100.] Cover with special cachets and souvenir stamps of the 3rd Lithuanian Girl Guides National Jamboree sent from Mittenwald to Kempten (1948-08-06).

315

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