1940 Gediminas Orentas Artistic Envelope – Lithuanian Army Series (Winter Warfare)

This striking and historically rich artistic envelope was created by Gediminas Orentas (1915–2007), a pioneering Lithuanian publisher, photo artist, and print specialist. Orentas was the first in Lithuania to introduce artistic envelopes in 1937, combining postal utility with documentary and patriotic photography.

This envelope is from his celebrated Lithuanian Army Series, printed by the renowned “Spindulys” press. Measuring 16.2 x 11.5 cm, the front side features a powerful wartime photograph of Lithuanian soldiers dressed in white winter camouflage, positioned behind snow-covered fortifications. It is adorned with the full 1940 Peace Issue (6 stamps) and one additional 1936 Three emblems Definitive Issue (1 stamp – 2 cnt.), all postmarked 1.XI.40 in Kaunas.

The reverse side exhibits Orentas’ signature design: four photographic panels arranged diagonally, forming a diamond-shaped cross layout. These photos portray various elements of the Lithuanian Army’s winter operations — including artillery in the snow, horse-drawn carts, military cyclists, and reconnaissance soldiers.

A rare collectible that merges early 20th-century Lithuanian military history with visual storytelling, this envelope is a gem for philatelists, military historians, and collectors of interwar memorabilia.