Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/91

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 news-