The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 4/Czechoslovakia and Her Stamps

by James Brewer Corcoran

Czechoslovakia and Her Stamps

By BREWER CORCORAN.

Of all the nations brought forth from the war at that maternity ward in Versailles, it would seem that the most stable of to-day was the most romantic of yesterday. Czechoslovakia has given up her place on the front page and is paying strict attention to fitting herself to be the back door. And that is no unimportant feature in the architectural structure of what was once planned as Mittel Europa but which, through force of circumstances, was changed into New Europe. As she stands outlined on the new map, Czechoslovakia juts well into the land of the Hun, over-shadows what is left of Austria on the north, covers practically the northern boudary of Hungary and meets Poland on the ridges of the Carpathians. Strategically she is the key state of the new Balkans and commercially, financially and intellectually she promises fair to become their leader, for her helm is in able hands and her ideals are high.

As in other respects Czechoslovakia has proved more conservative in her issuance of postage stamps than many of her new sisters in the family of Nations. For more than three months she continued to use the Austrian stamps on hand and since then has been successfully endeavoring to improve her own very artistic issues. The so-called first issues are not legitimate and can rightfully be classed only as locals. The first series to put in an appearance came from the presses at Budweis and was the 1916–1918 issue of Austrian postage stamps surcharged with the lion of Bohemia, a three toed brute of no artistic pre-tense, and the legend "Československý Stát.” They were used, it is said, in Prague and Brunn but is is rather safe to assume that the majority of the “used” copies will be neatly cancelled in the lower right corner and “the piece of original cover” will be a small square of white paper which has never been a part of an envelope.

The Austrian special delivery stamps of both the 1916 and 1917 issues were also decorated with the black lion and a suitable inscription as were the Austrian postage dues of 1916 from the 5 heller to 10 kroner values. Then, too, the 5, 10 and 20 heller values of 1916 Austrian dues were obliquely surcharged “Franco” and locally issued at Brunn. Of the same order is a 20 heller green of the Austrian 1916 postage issue but this, too, was probably intended for the postage due page of the juvenile album. Brunn, this year, also surcharged the 5, 15 and 40 heller of the 1916 Austrian postage issue with a “T”, as well is the 10 and 30 heller newspaper stamps of the same year. Just what the excuse for these was is utterly unknown. It is much to the credit of Czechoslovakia that Herr Fasen, her director general of posts and telegraphs, has denied them by closing his Postal Union communication of Jan. 17, 1919, by saying, “The Austrian stamps used until now are still provisionally available; in regard to their suppression, special orders will follow.” Certainly had the surcharged Austrians been of anything but of local character, M. Fasen would have made some mention of them to the postal union authorities and not have said that Austrian stamps were “provisionally available.”

Before leaving these locals for good, it is well to note the two handsome stamps issued by the Scout’s committee at Prague. They are of 10 and 20 heller values and were doubtless some sort of local or else issued as a little flier in the way of raising some ready cash for the boys.

The real postal issues of Czechoslovakia made their appearance early in this year and it is probable that in the years to come the three various postal sets will be listed as one under the head of The Issue of 1919 and be subdivided into three types. Yet at this early date, when so little is known about some of the varieties of the second and third, it seems best to classify them as three distinct issues. Certainly the first is now complete, for it has been already entirely superseded by the second and third. The designs of all are the work of Prof. Alfonse Mucha, a Czech painter of some note and, so far as it is known, all printing has been done by the United Czech Printing Co. Inc. of Prague. Whether or not the plates were made by this firm is unknown to the writer.

The varieties are of much interest for several reasons other than those which might appeal to the advanced specialist. In the first place they are the most artistic stamps which have come out of any of the new countries and the designs are extremely well thought out and developed. Rectangular in shape, the frame about the half-moon central design is formed by the curved branches of lindens with an outer border of more formal design. At the base, and on either side of the oval frame for the numerals of denomination, are white doves—probably to signify the peace of which the republic was really born—and little white hearts, which here make their first apparance on postage stamps. The central picture is officially described as a “view of the Hradschin, rayed by the sun.” As a rule “Hradschin” has been used as a term to denote the most picturesque and beautiful part of the ancient city of Prague. The towers in the background are suspiciously like unto those of the lovely old church of St. Vitus and the building in the right foreground closely resembles the Aldstat Tower of the Karslbruke.

Considering only the postage stamps for the present, the first issue contained ten values running from 3 to 400 deniers and the coloring, while attractive in its delicacy, is going to prove trying for those who may later try to develop shading. Also the stamps mar badly under the cancelling stamp. The ten values were first issued in imperforate form, but soon Weinberge decided this of too great hinderance in quick handling and resorted to a semi-official improvement. This is listed under the heading of a “rough perforate 9” by many American dealers who have been more anxious to sell the stamps than examine them. They are really perce en lignes roulette and should be so listed. So far no copies of the 200 and 400 in this form have come to my attention nor are they listed in most of the foreign catalogue, although a few American dealers so advertise them, but seem to have none for sale. The 5, 10 and 20 appear Perf. ⁠11+1/2⁠ and the 20. and 25 Perf. ⁠13+1/2⁠.

On this issue the word “Česko” appeared on the left of the frame and “Slovenská” at the right, while at the top was the word “Pošta,” all three in small letters. It would seem that it was quickly realized by either artist or authorities that these words were too small and two, at least, misplaced. This must have been the chief reason for quick change from the first issue to the second and in the latter the “Pošta” has been greatly enlarged and the “Československá” brought from the sides and joined in an enlarged frame beneath the central picture. Certainly the change was for the better, both from artistic and practical viewpoint.

What may ultimately come to this country to be added to this set remains to be seen. All that have come to hand are supplementary values to the first set and are the 1, 50, 60, 80, 300 and 1000 deniers. All appear in the official imperforate form, but the 1, 50, 60 and 80 have come over perce en lignes and it is to be presumed that no reason exists why the two new high values will not come in that same form. None of this set have so far appeared perforate.

It is the now current set that is furnishing the greatest difficulties of classification for the simple reason that, apparently, it is as yet incomplete. In itself it is a striking example of how Czechoslovakia is working for the betterment of all things, great as well as small. After the first changes were made in the plates, it is to be supposed that the postal officials deemed their troubles at an end but it is evident that closer study of their work convinced them that the plate, as it stood, could still be improved upon. This would be possible through the recutting of the die to remove the linden trees from in front of the tower at the lower right of the picture. It may also be assumed that practical, as well as artistic, reasons had weight in the considered change. As it stood in the second set, the plate would have worn quickly in this one spot and, soon, there would have been only a dull blur at the base of the tower. The change has resulted in a far more attractive stamp.

This set, like its predecessors, appears officially as imperforate and so far the 15, 25, 50, 75, 120 and 500 deniers have been received in the United States. Of the perce en lignes, there are the 15, 25 and 75 denier values, while of the perforate ⁠13+1/2⁠ there are 5, 6, 10, 15, 25 and 75 and the 5, 15 and 25 perf. 11 by 11. However, it is to be taken that more of all of these will appear before many weeks.

The other stamps of Czechoslovakia are of lesser interest and have all run true to the first type. There is a set of five newspaper stamps running through the 2, 6, 10, 20 and 30 denier values and, like all the preceding, printed on white,unwatermarked paper. The numerals of value are in the color of the stamps, set in small, white hearts in the two lower corners. A circle, which touches the edges of the square design, bears the legend “Česko Pošta Slovenská” and, in the center, is a white falcon with outspread wings and tail. All were issued imperforate but the 2 and the 10 have been put out in the perce en lignes and Mr. J. R. Nichols of New York reports all values rouletted vertically.

The special deliveries are of two values—2 and 5 deniers, done on yellow paper. The inscription is in small letters about the border and the numerals of value in large figures in an oval frame at the base of the stamp. The design is of two doves in the act of alighting on linden boughs. Both stamps appear imperforate and perce en ligne.

The postage due set is the least attractive of the series and runs from the 5 to the 100 deniers value. The lower denominations are in olive green but the higher are in colors which break the monotony of the series. The stamps are rather too large, rectangular in form and the design is an interwaving of linden boughs and small hearts. The usual “Československá Pošta” legend runs around the borders and, in a frame in the center, is the word “Doplatit”, while beneath, against a background of the stamp color, is the numeral of value in large, white letters. These were all issued imperforate but Mr. Nichols has been kind enough to send me the 20 deniers both perce en ligne and Perf. 7, vertically, and reports that he has seen all values up to the 40 deniers in both forms. It is presumed that the entire set has been treated in this way unofficially.

No attempt will be made at this time to go into description of minor varieties. There are some, such as the 40 deniers orange of the first set with a small circle in the left edge of the oval of value. What it amounts to, is far too early to state here, for certainly the writer is making no claim to the dignities of an “Advanced Specialist” and, most certainly, is not seeking any debates, merely trying to pass on a bit of tentative information to others who may have taken a fancy to the stamps of Czechoslovakia, as he has done. For this same reason no list of shades is given but two are noted merely to help fill what, at best, is but half a measure-in the first set the 25 deniers is found in both blue and dull blue and the 60 deniers in orange and yellow-orange.

It is as the above article is leaving my hands that the eagerly expected arrives from Czechoslovakia in the form of a part of a new and again distinctive issue of postage stamps. The values so far at hand are the 15, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 120 deniers and are of two types. They measure 25 by 30-mm, the 15 of slate green, the 25 of brown and the 50 of blue. The design shows the large lion of Bohemia in the act of tearing the shackles of ages from his feet, the hind claws being already freed while he gnaws at the irons on the right forefoot. His two-forked tail curves over his back and there is a twist in it which mars the art of the stamp and makes one wonder if the artist dares revive memories of Austrian tortures in such a manner. The value is in a circle in the lower left corner, while across the top, runs the legend “Pošta Československá”, set in a narrow frame.

The three high values, and especially the 120, will go down as among the most beautiful stamps issued. This 120 deniers is a gem of its kind. It is a deep, rich purple on straw colored paper. On either side, against a finely drawn background, is a naked upright bayonet. At the base of each, in a rectangular frame, is the numeral of value and across the bottom of the picture frame is “Pošta Československá.” At the top, on a ribbon, is inscription “Sirotám Našich Legionářů.” But the central design is what makes the stamp stand far above its fellows of other new nations. At first sight one thinks it a modern treatment of The Mother and Child but then the linden leaves on the shoulders and in the hair of the mother, holding little one closer in eager hands, brings ou the symbolism. The engraving is so fine, the lines so soft and the coloring so delicate, that the stamp looks almost like an unusual “Christmas commemorative.” The 75 is in a gray black and the 100 in violet brown. All but the 120 are on white paper and all are unwatermarked, Perf. ⁠13+1/2⁠. All six stamps are the work of J. Obrosku, but one grieves that the first type was ever used. The appearance of the other values is awaited with interest for it may be that there is still a third type in the series.

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*) Reprinted from “The American Philatelist”, December 1919.