1940 Gediminas Orentas Artistic Envelope – Lithuanian Army Series

This rare and historically significant artistic envelope was created in 1940 by Gediminas Orentas (1915–2007), a renowned Lithuanian publisher, print worker, and photographic artist. Orentas was the first in Lithuania to publish artistic envelopes illustrated with photographic views of the country’s cities and landscapes.

Measuring 16.2 x 11.5 cm, this envelope belongs to the Lithuanian Army Series, one of three thematic series printed by Orentas at the Spindulys printing house before World War II. The front side presents a striking panoramic photo of 2nd Tank Company’s light tanks “Vickers Carden Loyd M1933” (United Kingdom) on the march, accompanied by a complete 3-stamp set of the 1940 Vilnius Recovery Commemorative Issue.

The reverse side features an ingenious design: the envelope is divided into four triangular sections along imaginary diagonals, each displaying unique images related to Lithuania’s interwar army, specifically showing additional views of the same tank unit in action.

This envelope masterfully combines early Lithuanian photography, patriotic themes, and military history. It’s a compelling artifact for collectors of historic postal art, Lithuanian military memorabilia, or interwar photography.