1968 USSR-Canada Sulakvelidze Summers Hail Research Cold War Cover #1502

Original 1968 USSR Soviet New Year airmail cover sent from Nalchik, USSR to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with an especially interesting Cold War-era scientific association. The cover was sent by Dr. G. K. Sulakvelidze of the High Mountain Geophysical Institute in Nalchik to Dr. Peter W. Summers of the Research Council of Alberta. Both men were associated with scientific research involving hail, cloud physics, precipitation and weather modification, giving this piece significance beyond an ordinary Soviet postal cover. Sulakvelidze was a noted Soviet researcher whose published work included hailstorms, cloud physics and weather modification. Summers was a Canadian meteorologist and hail researcher associated with the Alberta hail research program. The colorful envelope features a “С НОВЫМ ГОДОМ!” (“Happy New Year!”) design with evergreen branches and a large snowflake. It retains multiple original 1968 USSR postage stamps and postal cancellations, including commemorative issues. The reverse carries the original Soviet printing identifying it as a USSR Ministry of Communications product with an original price of 15 kopeks. An unusual piece combining several desirable collecting areas: USSR postal history, Soviet-Canadian mail, Cold War scientific correspondence, meteorology, geophysics, hail research, weather modification and Soviet New Year ephemera. Details: * Date: 1968 * Origin: Nalchik, USSR * Destination: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada * Sender: Dr. G. K. Sulakvelidze * Recipient: Dr. Peter W. Summers * Institution: High Mountain Geophysical Institute / Research Council of Alberta * Multiple original USSR stamps and cancellations * Original Soviet New Year illustrated envelope * Postally used Condition: Original used condition with age-related toning, creases, edge/corner wear and postal handling marks as shown. The envelope has been preserved with its stamps and cancellations intact. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. A fascinating Cold War-era scientific postal-history piece connecting Soviet and Canadian researchers working in closely related areas of atmospheric and hail research. Envelope only; no enclosed letter or contents are included.