Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/90

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.