The Russian Federation post unlike the predecessor of the USSR mail throughout many years from the moment of the reconstruction set an example to colleagues from post administrations of republics of the former USSR, spending, the wise and weighed policy in the field of philately. Reasonable sufficiency and reasonableness of post issues, moderate editions of releases, reasonable prices, the loyal relation to collectors. All it guaranteed stably growing long-term demand for post production of Russia all over the world. But.... Again to all fault notorious "Russian character" to which are hated a predictability and a constancy, moderation and stability, a thrift and solidity.
On March, 2nd, 2007 the Russian post has issued the next series devoted to traditional anniversary of Russian artists. In the announcement it was informed on 2 values published to "to the 225 anniversary of a birth date of Russian painter O.A.Kiprensky". On stampsare presented reproductions of pictures "Poor Liza" (1828) and "Self-portrait" (1827), printed with perforation accordingly 13½ and 12 mm, circulation of 600 thousand copies in mini sheets of 10 values.

It’s a lot of months after there was appeared unexpectedly information that the value "Poor Lisa" has a punching version. The part of circulation of this release also has been published with perforation 12. A part of Quantity of a version for "legalization" has got to free sale, But its big part at repeatedly inflated price has gone straight on the philatelic market.

However, the malicious joke over collectors on it hasn't ended. Foggy hearings about that reached, as the second stamp of this set "Self-portrait" of Kiprensky has also a punching version - 13½ mm instead of the declared 12 mm. A kickshaw? Only other step of the punched machine. But this "trifle" published in unknown edition, meets so seldom that its price truly impresses even the worldly-wise tempted collectors.

It seems that employees Publishing centre "Marka" were bored by their routine work. They suddenly wanted thrills from which blood begins to boil. And what if to remember an ancient Russian entertainment with the charged revolver at a temple? Here that, perhaps, is capable to brighten up monotonous grey everyday life. And would be even more cheerful to substitute another's head, to take pleasure in feeling of the personal superiority from own ingenuity.
Versions of Kiprensky have with impunity escaped punishment to "inveterate players" of Publishing centre "Marka". Next time Russian roulette has twirled exactly a year later - on May, 7th, 2008 when the special post set with the mini sheet devoted to Inauguration of the Russia President D.Medvedev has been published. But the Internet- resours UkraFil this history already told.