In Russia, stamped wrappers for printed-matter bands were issued twice: in 1890–1891 and in 1913.
A type of postal stationery: wrapper bands. These are paper strips of various widths and lengths with a printed postage indicium. Wrapper bands were intended for wrapping newspapers, books, and other printed items. Unlike envelopes, wrapper bands did not fully protect the contents from damage, since the edges usually remain open.
Originally, “bands” referred to paper strips used to wrap postal items which, in some countries, were issued with printed postage signs on them. Such stamped bands belong to postal stationery and are collectible items (philately).
In the Russian Empire, the maximum weight for banded mail was much lower: not exceeding 4 pounds for printed matter and business papers (thus lower than the maximum weight for sealed letters) and 20 lots for merchandise samples. Banded items were chargeable, although at a substantially reduced rate (the minimum charge for out-of-town items was 2 kopeks (equivalent to 5 centimes) for printed matter, 7 kopeks for business papers, 3 kopeks for merchandise samples), but each weight unit—set at 4 lots—was charged in full.