Czechoslovakian 1918-1930 engraved varieties: A closer look

1925 Scott 98-101 "President Masaryk" First Engraving

The Masaryk's come in multiple perforations, multiple stamp sizes, unwmk/wmk horizontal/wmk vertical, short and long mustaches, and four engravings

As I was preparing the Czechoslovakian Big Blue checklist, it became apparent there was enough engraved varieties in the 1918-30 stamp era to merit a separate blog for a closer examination. Now I am not a philatelic "Czech" expert; far from it. :-)  But I had to review basic engraving differences in the Czech stamps in order to adequately finish the Big Blue checklist.

A couple of comments before getting on with this interesting task..

A) The analysis will be based on the information in the Scott Classic Specialized catalogue. Other catalogues (Michel?) might parse the differences more finely, but most collectors with Big Blue, a Scott inspired album, will also be using the Scott catalogue.

B) What I can add to the Scott information is a stamp image highlighting the engraving difference(s). A picture is worth a thousand words.

C) This analysis is clearly not the last word in engraving differences. You might want to consult other informational sources. In particular, Keijo and his Stamp Collecting Blog has wonderful information, using the Michel catalogue as a source I believe, on the Masaryk stamps of 1925-27.
http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/czechoslovakian-masaryk-stamps-of-1925-1927.php

So on with the interesting part....

1918-19 "Hardcany at Prague" issue

Two inscription varieties. As one inscription variety is found on denominations 40h and below, while the other inscription is found on higher denominations, should not be a problem.

 10h rose

The denominations up to 40h all have the "Posta Ceskoslovenska" as a white inscription on a colored background.

 200h ultramarine

The values above 40h have a colored inscription on a white background

1919 "Harcany at Prague" with "cesko-slovenska" inscription issue

The issue has three engraving types ( Type II,III,IV). There is actually little confusion, as only one engraving type is used on a particular denomination. Note: I assume "Type I" are the 1918-19 issues?

Type II  1h dark brown

Sun is peaking over the Cathedral

No color to foreground foliage

Type III  300h dark green

No Sun

Foreground foliage is shaded

Type IV 5h blue green

No Sun

Building background has changed

No foreground foliage

1920 "Czechoslovakia Breaking Chains to Freedom" issue

The 40h red brown stamp comes in two types.

The upper stamp has 9 leaves by the woman's hip (Type I), while the lower stamp has 10 leaves by the woman's hip (Type II)

1920-25 "Carrier Pigeon with Letter" issue

The 25h blue green stamp has two types. (FYI, the 20h deep orange also has two types, but no illustration here as I don't a copy of both examples. Type I for the 20h has a long base on the "2", while having an eliptical interior to the "0". Type II has a short base on the "2", while having a more oval interior to the "0".)

The left stamp has the top of the "2" curving up (Type I), while the right stamp has the top of the "2" curving down (Type II)

1923 "Agriculture & Science" issue

Type of 1920 issue redrawn

Very interesting issue. Consists of the 100h red/yellow, the 200h blue/yellow, and the 300h violet/yellow. Each stamp has different multiple perforations varieties, all with their own minor Scott number. But the challenge is identifying the three engraving varieties (Type I,II,III) for the 100 red/yellow, and the two engraving varieties (Type I,II)  for the 200h blue/yellow and 300h violet/yellow. I would recommend clicking on the image to enlarge it to study the stamp differences. 

Type I: The upper row 100h stamp has the Leaf below the "O" in "POSTA" with a straight rib to the end of the leaf; and a white triangle above the book is completely to the left of the branch. The "P" has a little stub.

Type II: The bottom row stamps have the Leaf rib crooked; and the triangle extends to the right of the branch. The "P" has the stub like Type I.

Type III: The upper row 200h  shows a broken rib in the top middle Leaf; the Leaf below the "O" is short; the triangle same as Type II; "P" has no stub.

1925-27 Masaryk issues

I will focus on the four denominations of the Masaryk issues consisting of the 1k carmine, the 2k deep blue, the 4k brown, and the 5k blue green. They can be found with the watermark (107-Linden Leaves) either horizontal (more usual) or vertical. One variety ( Scott 130), the 1927 1k carmine rose, is unwatermarked. They can come in different perforations. They can come in different stamp image sizes, usually linked to a specific engraving type. And most interesting, there are FOUR known engravings. (Note: I will refer to the first engraving as type I, second engraving as Type 2 etc.) The 1k carmine has the most (Type I,II,III,IV), followed by the 3k brown (Type I,II,IV), and then the 2k deep blue and the 5k green (Type I,II). 

As mentioned, most (except Scott 130) are watermarked-usually horizontally. Scott, though, gives major numbers (101A-101D) to the Type 1 stamps that happened to be watermarked vertically. So pay "watermark" attention to Type 1 stamps.

There are also Masaryk stamps that come in long mustache/short mustache varieties (1926 Scott 106 1k carmine rose, 1926-27 Scott 116 50h deep green, 1927 Scott 130 1k carmine rose). I will say no more about them here as I have no good examples. 

We usually don't pay that much attention to the size of a stamp. But, for the most part, one can actually separate out the four different engravings simply by measuring the size. The sizes Scott gives are 19 3/4 X 22 1/2 mm for Type 1-wmk horizontal; 19 1/4 X 23 mm for Type 1-wmk vertical; 19 X 21 1/2mm for Type II; 19-19 1/2 X 21 1/2-22mm for Type III; 19 X 22mm for Type IV. I measured my stamps after determining  the engraving type, and it was spot on! So, if one doesn't want to look at the stamps, then measure them. ;-)

Here, for the engraving differences, we will look at the stamp images. For a closer look, click on the images and enlarge them.

The 1k Masaryk's: Observe where the "T"in POSTA hovers over the "V" below?

"T" over ctr of "V": Type I; "T" toward right arm of "V": Type II or III;

 "T" over left arm of "V": Type IV

Top row: Type I & Type II or III; Bottom row: Type IV & 1927 Scott 130 (different sides)

First (Type I) engraving

"T" over ctr of "V"

Crossed shaded diagonal lines on right shoulder

Horizontal lines in top and bottom tablets

If Type I, confirm by measuring the stamp, and look at watermark

"T" over right of "V": either Type II or III

One short line in "A"(Type II), or blank space in lower part of "A" (Type III)

Crossed shaded diagonal lines on right shoulder (Type II) or shading of single lines only (Type III)

Measures 19 X 22mm; 13 3/4 perf; watermarked

What do you think?

"T" over left arm of  "V": Type IV

Crossed shaded diagonal lines on right shoulder

Crossed horizontal & vertical lines in top and bottom tablets

Perforation 10, watermarked

Getting tired of 1k carmine? Here's a 2k deep blue

Only comes in either Type I or Type II

"T" over right of  "V": Type II

One short line in "A":Type II

Crossed shaded diagonal lines on right shoulder: compatible with Type II

To confirm: measure the size

1930 50h myrtle green "President Masayrk"

The 1930 50h comes in two types. Click on the image below to enlarge it  and examine the space between the bottom of vignette and the "HALERU" frame panel.

1930 50h myrtle green: Top: Type 1; Bottom: Type II

Top stamp : white space between the coat shirt and tie, and the top of the "HALERU" frame panel.

Bottom Stamp: white space not so much:

That was fun!  :-) With Big Blue, the collector can get as detailed -or not -as she or he wants. Big Blue makes very little demands in regards to measuring perforations, checking watermarks, differentiating between engravings etc. But if one wants to do that for certain issues or countries, the option is there.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section. I've recently changed the settings, so any reader should be able to post. Thanks!

Jim Jackson

Czechoslovakia-German Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, and of Slovakia

Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

1939 Scott 20 & 21 5h dark blue & 10h black brown

A German motif: "Linden Leaves and Closed Buds" 

Quick History
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with Adolf Hitler in September,1938 and agreed to Hitler's demands of the annexation of the Sudetenland. The French did likewise. The rationale was that this "Appeasement" might satisfy the aggressive Nazi regime, and prevent further encroachment.

When Germany annexed the Sudetenland (see Map-the part surrounding the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia), the President of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Benes, fled the country in October,1938. Germany planned to occupy the remaining parts of Bohemia and Moravia, and at the time was not particularly interested in Slovakia. But, they wanted Slovakia to declare its independence from Czechoslovakia, to make their occupation easier. Meanwhile, Czech troops occupied Slovakia, and Jozef Tiso, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, lost his post. Hitler invited Tiso to Berlin and forced him to declare the Independence of Slovakia, under German "protection". Otherwise Germany would allow Hungary and Poland to absorb the remaining territory in Slovakia. On March 14, 1939 Slovakia declared its independence, and on March 15, Germany invaded the remaining Bohemia and Moravia lands. Tiso became the puppet leader of Slovakia. The remaining parts of Bohemia and Moravia, as the Sudetenland had been subtracted, was turned into the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

The stamps issued then represent the remaining (non-German) portion of Bohemia and Moravia - The Protectorate. The stamps issued from the Slovak Republic are from the "puppet" Slovakian regime.

Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

Note the surrounding Sudetenland that has been absorbed into Germany

Big Blue Picture
Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate
Big Blue '97, on two pages, has 36 stamp spaces for regular and postage due stamps.

The 2011Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 76 major stamp descriptions for regular, semi-postal, personal delivery, postage due, and newspaper stamps. Coverage by '97 Big Blue is 47%.

There is no coverage by the '69 and '97 editions of Newspaper and Personal delivery stamps; but the '47 and '41 editions have 10 newspaper and 2 personal delivery stamp offerings on their pages. Since expense is not a consideration for Bohemia and Moravia's stamp issues under the German Protectorate, adding some  more stamps should not be a burden. I found 36 additional stamps (24 if one factors out the '47/'41 edition offerings) for the Big Blue collector. It's not all one way however. The '69 and '97 editions offer 5 stamps (37,38,J8,J10,J11) that the '41 and '47 editions do not have.

What about the stamps themselves? Any evidence of (German) propaganda? Well yes, but certainly not a heavy nationalistic motherland style. The 1939-41 Scott 20-24 "Linden Leaves and closed buds" evokes the romantic Linden tree, a German fixture, much what the "maple leaf" symbol means to Canada. Many of the stamps show (romantic) castles. A 1940 issue Scott 26 4k slate has the very industrial "Iron Works at Moravska Ostrava", a frank illustration of power. Finally, the 1940 semi-postals (B1,B2) with a surtax for the German Red Cross, show "Nurse and Wounded Soldier". The soldier looks quite resolute.

Slovakia-German Protectorate
Big Blue '97, on three not very full pages, has 26 stamp spaces for regular, air post, and postage due.
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue, unlike Bohemia and Moravia,  has the Slovakia section detached from the Czechoslovakia section. Apparently, this is because Slovakia declared its independence from Czechoslovakia in 1939, but immediately fell into the waiting arms of Germany for "protection". The catalogue has 126 major stamp descriptions for regular,air post, postage due, semi-postal, personal delivery, and newspaper categories.. Coverage is 21%.

Clearly, Big Blue does not have as many stamp spaces for  Slovakia (26 vs 36) compared to Bohemia and Moravia, even though Slovakia issued more stamps ( 126 vs 76). Again in the '69 and '97 editions, there is no coverage of  newspaper stamps, although the '47/'41 editions do provide nine spaces. Altogether, I did find 66 inexpensive stamps (56 if one factors out the '47/'41 additional spaces)  that could be added by the Big Blue collector.

The Slovakian stamps featured Andrej Hinka, who died in 1938, but was considered a hero of the Slovakian independence movement from Czechoslovakia. Jozef Tiso, also featured on a regular and the semi-postal stamp, was the leader of the Slovak State, the puppet state of Nazi Germany between 1939-1945. He was hanged for his support of nazism and treason after WWII.

Additionals...
Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate

1939 Stamps of Czechoslovakia 1928-39, overprinted

6,8,9(<$1),11,12,14($1+),15,16,18,19,($2+ eN) 

eN= except noted

1939

39($1+)

1940

41,42,43,44,45,46,47,(<$1)

48($1+)

Postage due

1939

J12,J13,J14,($1+-$2+)

semi-postals

1940

B1,B2,(<$1)

Personal delivery

1939-40

EX1,EX2,($1+)

Note: in '47 and ''41 editions

Newspaper

1939

P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,P8,P9,(<$1)

Note: in '47 and ''41 editions

1940 overprint

J10(<$1)

Note: in '47 and ''41 editions

Slovakia-German Protectorate

1939 

2($1+),3,4,6,7,8,9,10,12,(<$1 eN)

13,14,15,16,17,18,($1+)

1939

32,33,(<$1)

Note: in '47 & '41 editions

1939

34($1+),35,36,37($1+),(<$1 eN)

1940-43

J45,J46,J47,J48,J49,(<$1)

1940-42

55,56,57($1+),(<$1 eN)

Semi-postal

1939

B1($2+)

Note: in the '47 and '41 editions.

Air post

1939

C7,C8,C9,($1+-$2+)

Personal delivery

EX1,EX2,($1+)

Postage due

1939

J6,J7,(<$1)

J9,J10,($2+)

1940-41

J13,J14,J15,J17,J18,J19(<$1)

J20,J22,J23,($1+-$2+)

Newspaper

1939 (Newspaper stamps of Czechoslovakia 1937 overprinted)

P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,(<$1)

P8($2+)

1939

P10,P11,P12,P13,(<$1)

P14,P15(<$1),P16,P17,P18,($1+ eN)

Note: in the '47 and '41 editions.

1940-41

P20*,P23*,P25*,P28,

Note: wmk 263, and I excluded '41 issues for consideration.

*Note: These are in the '41 and '47 editions as alternative choices to the 1939 issue above.

Slovakia

1939 Scott 31 1k dark carmine rose

"Andrej Hinka ", Hero of the Independence movement

Big Blue Checklist

Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate
1939 Stamps of Czechoslovakia 1928-39, overprinted
1,2,3,4,5,(<$1)
Two blank spaces: suggest 7 & 10 (<$1)

1939 Linden Trees, Castles

27,20,21,22,23,24*,28,(<$1)

29,31,32,33,34,30,(<$1)

*Note 24 is 30h deep plum; 24A golden brown '41 not eligible

1939-40

35,36,40,37*,(<$1)

Blank space: suggest 38*(<$1)

*Note: not in '47 and '41 editions

Postage due

1939

J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6,(<$1)

J7,J9,J11,(<$1)

Two blank spaces: suggest J8 & J10(<$1)

Slovakia-German Protectorate

1939 Andrej Hinka (mostly)

41($1+),24,25,40,42,(<$1)

26,27,28,29,30,31,(<$1)

1939

43,38,39,43A*

*Note 43A is 70h dark red brown "Dr Josef Tiso", and a '42 issue! Not in the '41 or '47 editions.

Air post

1939

C1,C2,C3,C4,C5($1+),C6($1+), (<$1 eN)

Postage due

1939

J1,J2,J3,J4($1+), (<$1 eN)

Blank space: suggest J5(<$1)

Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

1939-40 Scott 37 5k dark green

"Iron Works at Moravska Ostrava"

Kinds of Blue

Bohemia and Moravia-German Protectorate

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

The '69 and "97 editions have for 1939-40, Scott 37 & blank space-38. These stamps are NOT in the '47 and '41 editions.

The '69 and '97 editions have for Postage due J11 & Two blank spaces-J8,J10. These stamps are NOT in the '47 and '41 editions.

The '47 and '41 editions ADD coverage of personal delivery and newspaper stamps

Specifically...

Personal delivery ('41 & '47 editions)

1939

EX1,EX2,($1+)

Newspaper ('41 & '47 editions)

1939

P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,(<$1)

P8,P9,P10*,(<$1)

*Note: P10 is '40 issue overprinted "GD-OT"

Slovakia-German Protectorate

The '69 and '97 editions are identical in content.

The '69 and '97 editions have the for 1939, 43A ( a '42 issue) that is NOT in the '41 and '47 editions.

The '41 and '47 editions have the following ADDITIONAL stamps

1939

32,33,(<$1)

1939

34,35,36,37,($1+)

Semi-postal

1939

B1($2+)

Newspaper

1939

P10, P11 or P20, P12,P13,(<$1)

P14($1+) or P23, P15,P16($1+) or P25,P17($1+),P18($1+), (<$1 eN)

Note: alternative choices P20,P23,P25 are wmk 263 and '40 issues. Since BB specifies "1939", you decide if choices are eligible.

.

Slovakia

1939 Scott 43 50h slate green

"Dr. Josef Tiso"

Hanged for his support of nazism and treason after WWII

Big Blue Bottom Line
Very interesting (brutal) history.

The Big Blue collector may want to add a more generous selection of both Bohemia and Moravia, and of  Slovakia.

Note: Maps  appear to be in the public domain.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section.  Thanks!

Note: You will need to consult a Scott catalogue for specific pricing. I only give a very "ball park" price, and never the actual catalogue value.
<$1= less than a Dollar
$1+= more than a Dollar
$2+= more than two Dollars
$5+= more than five Dollars
$10+= more than ten Dollars
$20+..and so on.

Map of Czechoslovakia prior to breakup

Czechoslovakia

1919 B125 50h dark blue

"Bohemian Lion Breaking its Chains"

Quick History
There is nothing "quick" about the history of Czechoslovakia, but here goes...

Historically, the area of Czechoslovakia was part of the Austo-Hungarian Empire. But after WW1, the Czechoslovakian State was a founded as a democracy by Tomas Masaryk, who served as the first president from 1918-1935. The Czech Republic consisted of the territories of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, Slovakia, and Ruthenia. With the ethnic/linguistic differences (Czech, Slovak, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Hungarian: see Map), the Country, especially with the Germans, had ongoing ethnic tensions. This was exploited  in 1938 when Hitler demanded annexation of the German speaking areas of Czechoslovakia- the "Sudetenland". Britain and France, in the "Appeasement" ceded control to the Reich at the Munich Conference. In 1939,a German "Protectorate" was instituted for Bohemia and Moravia. This also occurred in Slovakia, which had declared its independence. Hungary annexed part of Slovakia and Ruthenia, and Poland occupied the Zaolzie area.

After WWII, Czechoslovakia was put back together, except for Ruthenia which was annexed to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Communists were in power from 1948 to 1989, when democracy was restored. Finally, ethnic tensions dissolved the Nation in 1992 into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

1930 Linguistic Map of Czechoslovakia

Big Blue Picture
I am going to divide the discussion and blogs about Czechoslovakia into three parts: Czechoslovakia proper (1918-1938); the German "Protectorate"era (1938-1940); and finally a closer look at the interesting Czechoslovakian stamp varieties. This blog will cover the Czechoslovakian proper era.

Big Blue '97, on nine pages, has 162 regular, 66 semi-postal, 11 air post, and 35 postage due spaces, for a total of 274 stamp spaces. Notably absent are Special Delivery, Personal Delivery, and Newspaper stamp spaces. More about that later. The 2011 Scott Classic specialized catalogue has 544 major stamp descriptions in all categories. Coverage by Big Blue is 50%.

I have a lot of Czechoslovakian stamps. You probably do too. Why? One reason clearly is many of these nicely designed stamps are at minimum catalog value. A bonus for those of us that value a stamp for its intrinsic exquisiteness, and not for its "worth".  ;-) In fact with the 274 stamp spaces offered, I could only find a semi-postal, the 1920 overprinted Sokol issue, that, forced by a blank space, requires at least a $12.50 price tag (B142). Amazing!

Big Blue does a fine coverage job for Czechoslovakia with the regular, semi-postal, and air post categories, save for the usual venial sins. I couldn't help but comment on some of those "omission venial sins"; see "additionals" for specifics.

But Big Blue leaves many Postage due (29 stamps), Special delivery (all 3 stamps), Personal delivery (all 2 stamps), and Newspapers (25 stamps) out of the pages. Most of these stamps are for minimum catalogue value. The '47 and '41 editions are less guilty, as they do provide spaces for 13 newspaper stamps and all 3 special delivery stamps. In all, I did find 110 additional stamps that could be/should be in Big Blue.

So, anything else one needs to know about the stamps of Czechoslovakia? Well,yes....
A) Some issues have the not unusual "one space/two choices" dichotomy between watermarked and unwatermarked varieties, or between imperforated and perforated varieties. What is more interesting are the issues (1919-20 "Cesko-Slovenska" design, 1920-22 "Carrier pigeon with letter",1923 "Agriculture & Science" Redrawn, 1925-26 President Masaryk, and 1930 Masaryk ), where some or all of the stamps have been re-engraved. Fun with a magnifying glass! I'll devote a separate blog to these engraving differences.

B) Have some "Czech" stamps of 1918-20 overprinted "S O 1920", and couldn't find them in the catalogue? They are actually for a 1920 plebiscite between Czechoslovakia and Poland for the former Austrian crown land of Eastern Silesia. The result was a Solomon-like result of splitting the territory in two. ;-)  The '47 and '41 editions DO have stamp spaces for Eastern Silesia (Just before Ecuador); so put them there. One is out of luck with the '69 or '97 editions; perhaps one could put the plebiscite stamps- the Czech ones anyway- near the Czech pages, or find another space for Eastern Silesia.

C) Big Blue has a minor printing error for Czechoslovakia noted in all editions: BB has an illustration for Postage Due J59 10h dark red to begin the series; then has a description in the next space for J59, the 10h dark red-the same stamp! Just ignore the J59 illustration cut, and put in the J58 5h dark red.

Additionals...
1918 "Hradcany at Prague"
Add those not picked for album spaces
2 or13, 3 or 14, 4 or 15, 5 or 16,(<$1)
Blank space: suggest 7 or 8 or (9 or 20) or 10 (<$1)

1919-20 "Cesko-Slovenska" design
47,53,(<$1)

1925 "Carrier pigeon with letter"
86

1927-31
129,130,131,133,134,135,136,(<$1)
Comment: Too bad these weren't picked up by BB

1929 "Coat of Arms"
152,153,(<$1)
Comment: Inexplicably, from a philatelic point of view, the beginning of the series, the 5h & 10h were NOT included in BB.

1930 Masaryk
177($1+)

1931
183($2+)

1932 Castle design
184($1+),185,186, (<$1 eN)
Comment: This issue was left out of BB

1937 Bratislava Philatelic Exhibition issue souvenir sheet
239 ($2+)

1938 Prague Philatelic Exhibition issue souvenir sheet
($2+)

1939 surcharged red
254A($1+)

1939 Masaryk
256
Note: 256 has a hyphen in Ceskoslovensko -not in BB; while 212 1k rose lake without hyphen is in BB.

Semi-postal

1919 (Austrian stamps of 1916-18 overprinted in black or blue)

B14,B15,B16,B18($2+),B22($2+), (<$1 eN)

(1919)

B31($1+)

1919 more semipostals

B61($1+),B63($1+),B65($2+),B67($2+),B68($1+),B82($2+),B94($2+),B99(<$1), B100(<$1),B101($1+),B102($2+),B118($1+),B120($1+)

1938 Souvenir sheet

B152($2+)

1938 Souvenir sheet

B153($2+)

Air post

1939

C18(<$1)

Special Delivery Imperf

1919-20

E1,E2,E3,(<$1)

Note: These are in the '47 and '41 editions.

Personal Delivery

1937

EX1,EX2,(<$1)

Comment: Why these stamps have never been in BB is known only to Scott.

Postage due

1918-20

J13,J14,(<$1)

1923-26 surcharged in violet

J20,J22,J23,J25($1+),J26($1+),J27,J29,J30,J31,(<$1 eN)

Comment: A nice selection plus the 1924 and 1926 stamps below that could be added by the BB collector.

1924 surcharged in violet

J32,J33,J34, (<$1)

1926 violet surcharge

J42,J43,J44,J45,J46,J47,J48,J49,(<$1)

1928

J63,J64,J65,J66,J67,J68,J69,(<$1)

Comment: BB cuts this series way too short.

Newspaper stamps

1918-20

P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,P8,(<$1)

Note: These are in the '41 and '47 editions.

1925-26 surcharged

P9,P10, (<$1)

Note: These are in the '41 and '47 editions.

1926 overprinted "noviny" on special delivery stamps

P11,P12,P13*,(<$1)

Note: These are in the '41 and '47 editions.

*Note: P13 also surcharged

1934 Overprinted "O.T."on 1918-20 newspaper stamps

P14,P15,P16,(<$1)

1937 Carrier Pigeon

P17,P18,P19,P20,P21,P22,P23,P24,P25,(<$1)

Czechoslovakia Legion post

1920

4($2+)

1927 Postage Due J51 & J52 surcharged in violet

40h on 185h orange & 50h on 20h carmine

"Czechoslovakia Breaking Chains to Freedom" 

Big Blue Checklist
1918 "Hradcany at Prague"
1, 2 or13, 3 or 14, 4 or 15, 5 or 16,(<$1)
6(<$1)
Blank space: suggest 7 or 8 or (9 or 20) or 10 (<$1)
Note: Scott 1-10 are Imperf; Scott 13-20 are Perf

1919-20 "Cesko-Slovenska" design
23 or 41, 25 or 42, 43,(<$1)
27 or 44, 45, 29 or 46, 30, 31,(<$1)
32 or 50, 33,34,36,38,(<$1)
39(<$1)
Note: Scott 23-40 Imperf; Scott 41-53 Perf
Note: minor numbers exist for various Perfs and rare Imperf.
Note: Stamps exist as Type II,III,IV engravings: see Scott

(1920) President Thomas Garrigue Masaryk
61(<$1),62($2+),63($5+)

1919-20 "Cesko-Slovenska" design (continued)
40($1+)

1920-22 "Carrier pigeon with letter"
65,82,66,83,67,84*,85*,(<$1)
*Note 84: two types of 20H deep orange: Type I (84), and Type II (84c)
*Note 85: two types of 25H blue green: TypeI(85), and Type II(85a)

1920-22 (continued) "Breaking chains to Freedom", "Hussite priest", "Agriculture & Science"
68,69,70,71,72,87,73,(<$1)
74,75,88,89,90,91,(<$1)
76,77,78,79,(<$1)

1920-22 (continued) "Agriculture & Science"
80,81,(<$1)

1923 "Agriculture & Science" Redrawn
92,93,94,(<$1)
Note: Also exists as minor number Type I,II,III redrawn engravings and different Perfs.

1925 President Masaryk ( 1k-5k values: Four engravings and two wmk orientations!)
95,96,97,(<$1)
98 or 101A($2+) or 102 or 105 or 106* : 1k carmine (<$1 eN)
99 or 101B($10+) or 103: 2k deep blue (<$1 eN)
100 or 101C($10+) or 104 or 108: 3k brown (<$1 eN)
101 or 101D($1+): 5k blue green (<$1 eN)
Note: 98-101 first engrav wmk 107 Linden Leaves horiz; 101A-101D first engrav  wmk 107 vertical; 102-104 second engrav wmk 107 horizontal; 105 third engrav; 106&108 fourth engrav.
*Note: 106 : a long mustache and a short mustache type exists
Note: Be aware the 1927-31 unwmk Scott 131 Masaryk 1k deep red stamp bears a superficial resemblance to the 1925 issue presented here. BB does not offer a space for this stamp.
eN=except noted

1926-28 "Castle, Monastery" designs, "Masaryk"
123 or 141,(<$1)
114 or 124 or 126,(<$1)
115 or 127,(<$1)
116 or 125 or 128,(<$1)
117* or 129*,(<$1)
118 or 132,($1+-<$1)
Note:  114-118 wmk 107; 123-125,141 coil perf 10 vert; 126-129,132 unwmk.
*Note: 117 60h "red violet on lilac" (specified by BB); 129 "red violet" - your choice to include.

(1926-28) continued "Hardcany at Prague", "Great Tatra"
119 or 137, 120 or 138, 121 or 139($1+), 122($2+) or 140, (<$1 eN)
Note: 119-122 wmk 107; 137-140 unwmk

1928 10th anniv of Czech independence
142,143,144,145,146,(<$1)
147(<$1),149($2+),148($1+),150($1+),151($2+)

1929 St Wenceslas Martyred, St Vitus Cathedral
159,160,161,162,163($2+)(<$1 eN)

1929
164(<$1)

1929 "Coat of Arms"
154,,155,156,157,(<$1)
Comment: 152,153,(<$1) NOT in BB.  :-(

1930 Masaryk
168*,169,170,
*Note: 168(type II), and 168a(type I)

1930 Masaryk
175,176,(<$1)

1932 Miroslav Tyrs (& 191 next entry)
187,188,189,190,(<$1)

1933 First Christian Church at Nitra (192,193,)
191, 192, 193 (<$1)

1934 Composers
194,199, (<$1)

1934-35
197,195,196,198,(<$1)
200,201,202,203,204,205,(<$1)
206,207,208,209,210,211,(<$1)

1935-37
212*,213,214,216,217,215,(<$1)
218,219,220,221,222,223,225,(<$1)
224,226,227,230,231,
*Note 212 Masaryk 1k rose lake without hyphen; the 1939 issue 256 (not in BB) has a hyphen in Ceskoslovensko

1937-38
228,229,232,233,(<$1)
234,235,236,237,238,240,(<$1)
243,244,245,241,242,(<$1)
246,247,248,253,254,(<$1)
249,250,252,(<$1)

Semi-postal
1919 (Austrian stamps of 1916-18 overprinted in black or blue)
B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B7,(<$1)
B8,B9,B10,B11,B12,B13,(<$1)

(1919)
B34,B27,B28,B29,B36,(<$1)
Note: B27-B29 are overprinted Austrian Newspaper stamps

(1919) 
B47,B48,B49,B50($1+),B51($1+),B52,B53($1+),(<$1 eN)
Note: Austrian 1916 Postage due overprinted

(1919) Hungarian 1916-18 stamps overprinted
B73,B74,B75,B76,B77,B78,(<$1)
Blank space: suggest B80(<$1) or B82($2+)

(1919) Hungarian 1916-18 stamps overprinted type "d"
B83,B84,B85,($1+)
B86($2+)
Blank space: suggest B87 ($5+)

1919-26 

Hungarian 1918 stamp overprint

B91,B92*,B93($1+),B98*,(<$1 eN)

*Note 92 "brown" in BB is "dark brown" in Scott

*Note 98 is overprinted Hungarian 1914 newspaper stamp

Hungarian "1916" postage due stamp overprint
B116,B119,B122($1+), (<$1 eN)

(1919)
B124,B125,B126,B127,B128,B129,(<$1)

(1920) surcharged
B130,B132($1+),B131,(<$1 eN)

(1920) Masaryk
B133,B134,(<$1)
Blank space: suggest B135($2+)

(1920) Sokol issue overprinted
B140,B141,(<$1)
Blank space: suggest B142*($10+)
*Note: B142 is the most expensive "required" stamp for Czechoslovakia

1936
B147,B149($1+),B148,(<$1 eN)

1937-38
B144,B145($1+),B146($2+),B150,B151, (<$1 eN)

Air Post
1922 (stamps of 1920 surcharged & with airplane images)
C7($1+),C8($2+),C9($5+)

1930 Perf 13 1/2
C10,C11,(<$1)
C12,C13($1+),C14,C15($1+),(<$1 eN)
C16,C17,($2+)
Note: different Perf varieties exist.

Postage due
1918-20
J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6,(<$1)
J7,J8,J9,J10($1+),J11($1+),J12,(<$1 eN)

1922-23 surcharged in blue or violet
J15 or J21,J16 or J24,J17,J18 or J28,J19, (<$1)
Note: J21,24,28 are violet overprinted.

1925 (P.D. stamps of 1918-20 surcharged with new value)
J35,J36,J37,J38,J39,J40,(<$1)

1927 surcharged & overprinted "DUPLATIT" in violet on 1920 stamps "breaking chains to freedom"
J50,J51,J52,J53,J54,J55,J56, (<$1)

1928
J58*,J59*,J60,J61,J62,(<$1)
*Note: BB printing error noted in all editions: BB has an illustration for J59 10h dark red to begin the series; then has a description in the next space for J59, the 10h dark red-the same stamp! Ignore the J59 illustration cut, and put in the J58 5h dark red.

1938 Scott 242 1k rose lake

"Peregrine Falcon, Sokol Emblem"

Kinds of Blue
The most obvious difference is that the '47 and '41 include 13 Newspaper stamps and 3 Special delivery stamps in their editions. These BOB stamps were removed by the '69 editors, and did not return in the '97 edition. What is not so well known ( Well, I didn't know it ;-), is that the '69 and '97 editions offers 15 more semi-postals and 1 air post compared to the earlier editions. This follows the trend I've seen before where the '69 (and '97) removed some BOB stamps, while as compensation (sometimes) strengthened the other sections. So it is not as simple as saying the '47 is a "good" edition, while the '69 is a 'bad" edition. In one area the '47 might be better, while in others the '69 might be better.

The specifics....
Overall, the '69 and '97 are identical in content while the '47 and '41 are identical in content.

The semi-postals
The '69 and '97 HAVE spaces for B52,B53,blank space-B80?, and blank space-B87?.
The '69 and '97 HAVE spaces for B134,blank space-B135?, and blank space-B142?.
The '69 and '97 editions HAVE spaces for the 1936 series B144,B145,B146,B147,B148,B149,B150,B151
These 15 spaces for the semi-postals are NOT in the '47 or '41 editions.

Air Post
The '69 and '97 HAS a space for C17. This space is not available in the '47 and '41 editions.

Special delivery
The '47 and '41 HAVE spaces for e Special delivery stamps.
1918-21
E1,E2,E3, (<$1)
Note: on yellow paper.
The '69 and '97 do NOT have these spaces. Carve out a little room for them. ;-)

Newspaper stamps
1918-26
The '47 and '41 HAVE spaces for 13 Newspaper stamps: P1,P2,P3,P4,P5,P6,P7,P8,P9,P10,P11,P12,P13, (<$1)
All are priced at minimum catalogue value. The '69 and '97 editions do NOT have a place for Newspaper stamps. Clearly, one would want to create some space for these very inexpensive stamps.

1919  B7 15h dull red

Austrian stamp of 1916-18 overprinted in black

 Semi-postal stamps (B1-B123) were sold at the Prague P.O. @ 1 1/2 face value for charities.

Big Blue Bottom Line
Inexpensive, an intriguing attempt at keeping disparate ethnic cultures under one "country", beautiful stamps, and multiple engraving differences.....  What's not to like?  :-)

Note about my '69 editions....

I have two '69 editions, and I've come to realize that the previous owner of one of my '69's pulled out ALL the semi-postal pages, except where the pages overlapped with air post or some other category.. The other '69 fortunately does have the semi-postals intact for all the countries, as near as I can determine. This caused confusion when I was reviewing Austria, as I thought the '97 had returned the semi-postals that the '69 had removed. I was looking at my semi-postal-less '69 edition when I made that assertion.  At the time, I gave lots of love and credit to the '97 edition. I've now realized the same thing happened with Belgium. The '69 Belgium does indeed have the same semi-postals as the '97. I was mistaken. I will double-check to make sure this '69 has not caused further trouble. ;-)

Note: Map in public domain.

If you enjoyed this post, or have some information to share, or have some constructive criticism, please share your thoughts and reactions in the "comment" section. I've recently changed the settings, so any reader should be able to post. Thanks!

Note: You will need to consult a Scott catalogue for specific pricing. I only give a very "ball park" price, and never the actual catalogue value.
<$1= less than a Dollar
$1+= more than a Dollar
$2+= more than two Dollars
$5+= more than five Dollars
$10+= more than ten Dollars
$20+..and so on.