Petrozavodsk pristan'?
by Gary
A cover from Petrozavodsk, Olonets Province sent to St. Petersburg bears two interesting marks. Perhaps others can share their knowledge of these marks.
The front of the cover bears the first mark, an elongated oval. The Russian words "pristan' gor. petrozavodsk" are around the top of the oval. A "control/accounting number" is in the middle, and "Olonetskoi..." are around the bottom.
Mark from the front
On the reverse is a circular mark that contains the Imperial eagle and the words "petrozavodskii gorodskoi pristan."
Can anyone add information?
Added by Anatoly Kiryushkin
This is not a Pristan' but a Pristav. In fact it reads "Pristav gor. petrozavodsk/Olonetskoy Guberni" = Petrazavodsk Policeman, Olonetsk Region. The same regarging "petrozavodskii gorodskoi pristav." = Petrovzavodsk Town Polismen (in case of "pristan'" =Port it could look as "petrozavodskaya gorodskaya pristan'".) Both are not postmarks at all. The oval one is the Police cachet for stating reference numbers of out going documents (not only sent by post). The circular one is official hand stamp of the Police authorities. As it include the state coat of arms (eagle) it's means that all their mail had to be delivered free of charge what was confirmed either by official hand stamp or adhesive seal (as many other offices did). So used on postal items it was a sort of Free Frank mark.
Added by Gary
Thanks Anatoly. Maybe I should put on my glasses? You are correct in that the "H" is indeed a "B"