Romania 1959 Soviet Conquest of Space

• Issue Date : 15 December 1959
• Designed by :
  • 1.60 lei : Ion Dumitrana
  • Others : Aida Tasgian
• Printed by : Fabrica de Timbre, Bucharest
• Print Process : Photogravure Engraved Typography
• Perforations : see stamp images

Stamps

1.55 lei dark blue Soviet Rocket, Dog & Rabbit Perf: 14 × 14¼

1.60 lei dark violet blue, buff First photograph of the far side of the moon Perf: 13½ × 13¼

1.75 lei dark blue Luna 3 Flight Path Perf: 14 × 14¼

• Notes
  • The 1.55 lei stamp shows a dog and rabbit that were carried on a sub-orbital flight launched 2 July 1959.
  • The 1.60 lei stamp shows the far side of the moon photo along with a list of prominent features in Russian and Romanian. The items shown are
    • Moscow Sea
    • Astronauts Bay
    • Southern Sea
    • Tsiolkovskiy Crater
    • Lomonosov Crater
    • Joliot-Curie Crater
    • Soviet Mountains
    • Sea of Dreams
  • The 1.75 lei stamp shows the Luna-3 flight path. Although the pictures were taken on the side of the moon facing away from Earth, the photos could not be transmitted until the satellite returned toward earth and was close enough for its broadcasts to be detectable.