Canada 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979 (no issue from 1976 known) Latvian Scouts in Exile Gen. Goppers Foundation, Latvia PAIRS VF-NH. Lafrenière #cc4447.29-38. Charity Cinderellas. 8 diff. in 4 Pairs. Nice Group. Natural Straight edges. Minor imperfections, still Bright and Fresh.

In 1940, after the Soviet occupation of Latvia, a special officer was appointed by the communists to abolish Scouting. Scouting continued unofficially and underground, operating without uniforms and in the forests. After World War II Latvian Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts renewed their groups in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Austria and Belgium where there where Latvian people who escaped the Communist occupation. When the Latvian displaced persons emigrated in 1949 and 1950 in the United States, Canada and Australia, their units ceased to operate in Europe, but they become active overseas, forming the Latvian Scouts in Exile movement. The General Goppers Foundation was created to commemorate the Latvian scouting founder (that was captured and executed after a show trial by Russian forces in March 1941) and assist the exiled Latvian scouting organisations.

These stamps were sold $1.00 each, with proceeds going to Latvian Scout units in USA, Australia, Great Britain, West Germany and Sweden. They were usually issued in time for the Christmas season. Most of them were issued in sheets of 50 with 2 designs on the same sheet arranged in two separate blocks (Left half + Right half, or Upper half + Lower half) and there are only 5 Se-tenant pairs per sheet. From 1975 on, the stamps were arranged alternately on the sheet and Se-tenant pairs are usual.

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Member: The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada
The Christmas Seal & Charity Stamp Society
Haiti Philatelic Society
The British North America Philatelic Society