The establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in October 1918 gave rise to a philatelic bonanza of issues, overprints, and “emergency” frankings which may never again be equaled. This period joyous, heroic, romantic, confusing as well as tragic has been one of persistent study by postal history buffs, who continue to discover new ways and byways to enrich their perception of this period, and thus enrich our hobby. The purpose of this review, then, is to present a basic road map to Czechoslovakia, as well as neighboring Austria and Hungary, for collectors wishing to delve into the subject more deeply.
Collectors and exhibitors of Czechoslovakia tend to treat the philatelic subject of the transition period, or “Pevratová doba”, more broadly than would be reasonable on the basis of the time frame alone. That is to say, the subject is not necessarily limited to stamps, postal stationery, and postal usage within a given time frame. Instead, the subject includes philatelic topics associated with the events leading to the political transition, such as Czech Legion mail, Austro-Hungarian Field Posts, Military Censorship or future Czechoslovak territory, POW mail, etc., as well as topics falling outside the immediate time frame of the transition, i.e., the Czechoslovak Field Posts of 1919/1920 along the Hungarian and Polish boarders. Since the subjects to be discussed below overlap one another with respect to time, no attempt will be made to present the subject chronologically. While many collectors include the “Poàta eskoslovenská, 1919” issue in this transition period, we will not deal with this issue in this survey. It has been covered well in the literature, but more importantly, this issue properly belongs to the regular issues of Czechoslovakia.
I. MILITARY CENSOR MARKINGS IN BOHEMIA AND MORAVIA
Relatively little has been published on the extent of military censorship of mail originating from Bohemia and Moravia. Foreign mail bearing round censor markings in red, reading “Militar Uberprufungskomission – (City)” are found on covers going to both friendly and neutral countries.
Fig 1
In addition to foreign mail, extensive censorship of domestic mail is evident. The reason for this is not entirely clear. It is also not known at what post offices or other transfer points military censorship was practiced. The markings are typically in two–line text reading “K.u.X. Militatzensur – (City)” (Mähr. Ostrau, Olmütz, Teschau, Troppau, etc.) as shown in Fig. 1; or two-lined boxed (Pilsen 2, Prerau Bahnhof, etc.); two-lined boxed reading “Zensuriert K .u . K. Briefzensur Prag; single line either plain or boxed, reading “K.u.K. Militärzensur” (Teplitz, Schönau, etc.); or simply boxed “Uberprüft – (City).
II. AUSTRIAN AND HUNGARIAN FIELD POSTS
Whether or not field post items by Czech, Slovak, or Ruthenian troops addressed to future Czechoslovak territory are suitable for inclusion in a transition period collection is open to discussion. Collectors have compiled listings showing which field post (by number) served units comprised predominantly of Czechs, Slovaks, or Ruthenians which makes collecting this material as related to Czechoslovakia relatively easy. Unfortunately, we know of no such listings for Austro-Hungarian Navy vessels, though Czechs probably served on the majority of such vessels.
There is probably no “transition” more exciting to the transition period collector than seeing military mail from a particular soldier evolve from Austro-Hungarian field post to “POW mail” to “Legion Mail” or even “1919/20 Czechoslovak Field Post Mail”. Though nice, a full sequence has thus far not been shown in exhibit (to the best of our knowledge), but it is known to exist in collections.
Austro-Hungarian and German field post cards addressed to future Czechoslovak territory are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, except for such items as “small vessel” Navy covers, Fliegerpost (Military Air Covers), and a few others. Consequently, the assembly of a field post number collection representing each field post serving Czech, Slovak or Ruthenian troops is quite doable.
Unit markings present another level of specialization. A cover bearing the unit markings of a Czech staffed regiment using field post 79 is illustrated in Fig.2.
Fig 2
III. PRISONER OF WAR MAIL
Czechs and Slovaks serving in the armies of the Central Powers had both reason and propensity toward surrender. Some units, comprising predominantly Czech troops serving on the Russian front, surrendered as complete units occasionally of regimental size, to be reunited with other Czech and Slovak P.O.W.s at a series of large camps in Russia. The same was true on the Italian front, although on a considerably smaller scale. P.O.W. mail from Czechs and Slovaks in France is harder to come by because there were few Austro-Hungarian units on the Western Front. The collecting of POW mail offers an interesting insight to the movement of captured troops, particularly during the final days of Imperial Russia. An example of a rarer French POW is illustrated in Fig. 3
Fig 3
P.O.W. mail, largely through the efforts of the International Red Cross, functioned amazingly well, as is evident from the number of items from France, Italy and particularly Russia that may still be found in dealers stocks. Several varieties of postal cards were distributed freely to POWs usually immediately upon capture. The willingness of the captors to facilitate correspondence and notification of the prisoners families of their capture and treatment not only served as good propaganda, but more importantly insured similar treatment for their own troops in captivity. The correspondence, by international and universally accepted agreement was frank free.
The collecting and cataloging of censor markings from all “sides” offers generous opportunity for further exploration. There are essentially three basic areas for study: POW card types as issued by captor governments and/or Red Cross Organizations, censor markings, and local civilian markings which assist in locating POW camps.
Censorship on all sides was carried out by either military or police units. P.O.W. cards generally carry many markings, including captor country censor, local, civilian or camp postmark and addressee country censor markings.
Russian markings originating in Siberia are among the most varied. A few examples are shown in Fig. 4.
Fig 4
Railroad and civilian post marks from localities along the Trans-Siberian Railroad provide evidence of the movement of POW troops eastward well ahead of the time when the Czech Legions actually gained control of the railroad. Some “coded” cards, when observed in sequence, inform the home-folks of the POWs joining the Legion along the way. This, of course, is done to escape detection by Austrian censors who, it was feared, would not pass such Legion mail. In addition, if Austrian authorities could identify that a POW had become a Legionnaire he became a traitor and his family, at a minimum, lost support allowances from the government. This subject, far too extensive in its richness and postal history to be explored here, is mentioned merely to alert the collector.
IV. CZECHOSLOVAK FIELD POST
The Czechoslovak military mail of the transition period is perhaps the most interesting area of Czechoslovakias postal history. The fact that the Czechoslovaks fielded military units on three fronts was critical in convincing the Allies to recognize of the right of the Czechs and Slovaks to an independent nation. Philatelic literatures covers, although inadequately, various aspects of the Czechoslovak field post systems, though no definitive source exists. It must be remembered that nearly all this material is rare.
A. Siberian Legion Field Post
 Fig 5 |
Perhaps the best known and most fascinating field post material of this period comes from the Czechoslovak Legions in Siberia and its forerunners. The first Czech unit in Russia was the Cheshskaya Druzhina ( ), a unit of the Imperial Army largely staffed by Czechs and Slovaks living in Russia. The cancels on mail from members of the Druzhina can be unit postal cancels, see figure 5, or ones bearing their military unit’s name in Russian. As the war progressed large numbers of Czechs serving in the Austro-Hungarian army units surrendered, often entire units crossing the line en mass. Originally recruitment of prisoners for Czechoslovak military units were allowed only among new POWs in one sector of the Russian front, but eventually it was also permitted in the prisoner of war camps. After the success of Czechoslovak units during the Kerensky offensive, Russian authorities permitted unlimited recruitment of Czech and Slovak POWs which led to the expansion of the Legion until it consisted of 70,000 troops. A postal system was organized, originally to deliver newspapers and intra-legion mail, and eventually offered the full array of postal services. Most of the post offices were located in rail cars in the cities along the Trans-Siberian Railroad and its spur lines where Czechoslovak units were headquartered. |
After the Czechoslovaks were recognized by the Allies as an independent military force, the Legionnaires lost their free franking privileges for the Russian mails. Consequently, the General Director of the Russian Field Post in Cheljabinsk ordered that Russian stamps be overprinted “Cheshskaya Poshta” ( ) for use on mail passing between Legionaires and Russians
( Fig. 6).
The overprint was applied to several issues of Russian stamps then available, but only the 10 kopek, dark blue stamp was intended for mail. The other values (1,2,3,5,70 kopek and 1 Ruble imperforate; 1,2,3,4,5,7,10,14, 15,25,35, and 50 kopek perforated) must be considered trial printings. The die was prepared by a Hungarian prisoner of war who was not familiar with Russian. A typographical error resulted and was noticed only after about 1000 copies of the 10k stamp had been overprinted. Since free franking had been granted in the interim, no corrected overprint was prepared.
In spite of the fact that the Legionnaires had free franking privileges, a set of stamps was printed by the Legion and was valued at 25k, 50k, and 1 R (Fig. 7).
Fig 7
The stamps were printed from lithographic stone, in sheets of 120. Each stamp had six design sub-types. The stamps were issues both perforated (11 ›) and imperforate, gummed and ungummed.
A 13 3/4 perforation was added in Prague at a later date and must be considered purely philatelic. This issue, popularly called the silhouette issue, was overprinted with the following texts: “Baliky do /vlasti/50R (Packages to the homeland, 50 Rubles); “Prvi./Jugoslavenski/puk u Sibiriji” (First Yugoslav Regiment in Siberia); “Vlak s /erv. kie! (Train of the Czechoslovak Red Cross).
 |
In 1919, a set of blue stamps with a red oval center bearing an embossed lion was prepared in Prague and sent to Siberia for use by the Legion. The stamps did not reach Siberia until 1920 and so were overprinted with this date as well as 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 50 kopek and 1 Ruble values. Three different printings of the lion stamps exist along with two types for each printing. The printing method was a “die out” process that also created the “perforations”. The lion stamps are very rare on a genuinely used cover (Fig. 8). |
The great majority of covers and cards that passed through the Siberian Field Post. are stampless. A large number of postal cancels were used, some with field post numbers, others without. The first postal cancel was a two-line cancel used by field post offices 1-16 (Fig. 9).
Fig 9
These cancels were replaced by a round cancel used with the numbers 1-15 (Fig.10). Other postal markings were used in post offices in Ekaterinburg, Vladivostok, on Rusky Ostrov and on several ships (Fig. 11). A few Siberian cancels are also known to have been used in Slovakia after the units returned home.
 Fig 10 |
 Fig 11 |
Another group of markings were not originally intended exclusively for mail, but when they appear on covers they designate the unit of the sender and certify censorship as required by postal regulations. (Fig. 12)
Fig 12
B. Field Posts in France
The center for Czechoslovak opposition to the Central Powers was embodied in the Czechoslovak National Council in Paris. Following the recognition of the Council as a co-belligerent, three Czechoslovak regiments, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, were formed on the Western Front. Prior to the creation of these independent units, a smaller unit comprised of Czechs and Slovaks served in the “Nazdar” company of the French Foreign Legion. Each of the regiments had postal cancels (also used to indicate that the mail had been censored), usually round with a French or a Czech – French bilingual text. Sub-units also had their own markings that are also known to exist on covers. (Fig. 13) The Czechoslovak regiments in France were stationed in one sector of the front and were serviced by the same French post office, Field Post 217. Most incoming mail to the Czech Legionnaires in France is addressed to this Field Post. Since the French units were among the first to return to Czechoslovakia following independence, these markings also appear on mail coming from Slovakia where many of these units were sent to help defend the boarders of the new state.
Fig 13
C. Field Post in Italy
Like the Czechoslovak military units formed in Siberia, those in Italy were formed predominately from Czech and Slovak prisoners of war. However, the Italian government was slow in allowing Czech and Slovak prisoners of war into combat units. Most of the former prisoners spent time in construction or guide units supporting Italian units before combat units were permitted. The units essentially used Italian field posts. Three types of the 52 field post and one of Field Post 162 are known to have served Czechoslovak units. Oval unit cancels were also used in Italy, but are more commonly known from Slovakia, where these units were sent upon their return to Czechoslovakia to oppose the Hungarians. These oval cancels exist with both Italian and Czech texts, and in some cases a mixture of the two. (Fig. 14)
Fig 14
D. Field Post in Slovakia
Independence did not come easily to Czechoslovakia. Even after the declaration of independence, territory was contested by both Poland and Hungary. The new state did not have a regular army, so volunteers of all sorts were pressed into service. Military units arriving from France, Italy and Siberia were shipped directly to Slovakia, instead of home to their families, as the soldiers had expected. A field post system was established that provided all regular postal services for the troops. Franking was free for the soldiers, but supplies were short. As mentioned above, many of the postal and unit cancelers accompanied the units from abroad and can be found on covers from the field posts in Slovakia. The regular field post cancels were not these, however, but circular metal hand cancels with a Czech text and a field post number, with the date line in the middle.
(Fig. 15)
For the postal historians, perhaps even more interesting than the postal markings, are those of the units. Since the Czechoslovak military was organized as units, as available, the unit markings reflect this somewhat colorful table of organization. We would recommend a concentration on post cards over covers because of the messages they contain. Censorship markings and registration labels can add yet another dimension to this area of transition period philately.
(Fig. 16)
V. COURIER MAIL
A courier system was established between Paris and Prague by the Czechoslovak National Council in order to deal more effectively with the undependable communications following World War I. Official, diplomatic, and private mail was gathered at the Czechoslovak National Council in Paris and a circular handstamp with the text “CONSEIL NATIONAL DES PAYS TCHEQUE PARIS, 34, Rue BONAPARTE SERVICE POSTAL” was affixed. Mail that was intended for private addressees was turned over to the postal authorities in Prague for final delivery. Such mail was required to have valid Czechoslovak postage. Stamps for this purpose were delivered to Paris by courier. Such mail often bears the marking “Doàlo kurýrem,” ( arrived by courier). (Fig. 17)
Figure 17
VI. THE “REVOLUTIONARY” ISSUES
Many pages have been written on the postal merits and speculative demerits of approximately nine local issues particularly with respect to “authorization” and legitimate postal usage”. While privately used, only once with official authorization, and distinctly “local,” they often filled a need and in all cases expressed the new nations pride and joy in national independence. However, based on both Austrian and Hungarian regulations which remained in effect in the immediate period after October 28, 1918 (date when independence was declared), the issuance of stamps by private citizens was specifically prohibited. Nevertheless, the post offices accepted mail franked with privately overprinted stamps between October 28th and November 18th and did not charge postage due upon delivery. However, on November 18th, a new regulation prohibiting the private overprinting was issued by the postal administration and such franking was no longer accepted at least by those offices aware of the ruling. In fact most canceled stamps of these issues are favor cancels. The following overprinted issues are generally recognized:
 |
A. PRAGUE I Issue (21 values), (Fig. 18) |
Black overprint, typography, hand set. Probably overprinted in blocks of four. The set includes the 2h and 5h Special Delivery. High values, i.e., 2K to 10K are quite scarce. Two overprint types exist. Legitimate postal usage is proven. Trials, inverts, red overprints etc., exist. The die remained in private hands until 1930. The total number issued is unknown.
B. PRAGUE II Issue (21 values), (Fig. 19)
Black overprint, printed, issued and used similarly to PRAGUE I.
C. HLUBOKA Issue(42 values), (Fig. 20)
Overprinted individually using engraved steel die. The die was ordered by V. Mareà of Hluboká from the engraver Hora of eské Budejovice. Inverts, Tête-bêche overprinted pairs, etc., are known, as is postal usage. The size of the issues is unknown.
D. BUDEJOVICE Issue (37 values), (Fig. 21)
Similar to the Hluboka issue, the die was made by the same engraver, except ordered by J. Homer of eské Budejovice. Overprints are in black, occasionally in red. Inverts, tete-bêche pairs and postal usage are known. After November 18th, Homer surrendered the die to the local post office. However, he had a virtually identical die made and continued overprinting stamps for sale to collectors. Size of the issue is unknown.
| E. SKALICA ISSUE (14 values), (Fig. 22) |
The issues appeared in the town of Skalica (Slovakia) in the middle of November 1918. Hungarian stamps were overprinted using a design similar to that used on the PRAGUE II issue, with the die manufactured in Prague. The overprints are in black. The number of sets or individual stamps overprinted is not known.
F. ILINA or ÈROBÁR ISSUE (30 values) (Fig. 23)
This issue appeared only in January 1919; hence considerably later than the issues listed above. However, the issue was officially authorized by Czechoslovak Minister Dr. Vavro Èrobár who had full authority over the administration of Slovakia. Remainders of Hungarian stamps were overprinted in the town of ilina by the firm H. Pokorný using overprint plates prepared by the firm Ètenz in Prague. Because of the two stamp sizes overprinted, two overprint formats were used. The overprints are in black. The stamps were sold at post offices in ilina, Bratislava, Trenin, Ètrba, Poprad, and Tatrnské Lomnica. Postal usage, while rare, is well documented. The numbers of stamps overprinted is not known. 
The primary distinction between these issues and those that follow is in the fact that the following appeared after November 18th, when the prohibition of private overprints was re-issued, and no official authorization, such as given for the ilina (Èrobar) issue was given.
These issues are listed in older catalogs, for example Eckstein l939 or in Ladislav Novotný’s handbook. Postal usage of these issues, while prohibited, occurred nevertheless. With the exception of the authorized ilina issue, the justification for the post-November 18th issues is similar – a healthy blend of patriotism and commerce, probably more of the former. The most popular issues include:
 |
G. BECK (Budejovice) ISSUE (45 values) (Fig. 24) |
This issue includes all of the stamps overprinted for the Hluboka issue, as well as the crown Austrian values 1K, 5K, and 10 K. The overprint itself is very similar to the Hluboka issue, its main distinguishing feature being the location of the lions claw directly over the S in ESKO. The overprinting was carried out in black as well as red, though the red is somewhat scarce. The set is priced a little over 1/3 of the value of the Hluboka or Budejovice (Homer) issue.
H. BECK (PRAGUE) ISSUE (45 values)
This issue is virtually identical to the BECK (Budejovice) issue, and is most easily distinguished by the lack of a hyphen or dot following ESKO. In addition, the center of the lions claw is located above the space between the letters S and K in ESKO. The overprint exists in black and red. It is valued at less than 1/4th of the Hluboka issue.
Several other local issues are listed in handbooks and catalogs, including the Fontana issue, with the overprint reading ESKA POÈTA (Czech Post) or ESKA POÈTA SLAVA MASARYKOVI! (Czech Post, Glory to Masaryk!) This overprint was not of a “speculative” nature, as it was prepared in the post office in the town of Kalovice, near Pilsen. Postal usage is known from Kalovice, Hladoticich, and Rakovnik.
Several other purely speculative overprints are known and described in the literature. While not collected by everyone, they are a reminder of the turbulent and exciting times of the “transition.”
Forgeries of the overprints are prevalent. In the instance of the Hluboka and Budejovice overprints, many forgeries were printed with aniline inks, which penetrate the paper and are distinctly visible on the gummed side. Postal usage, philatelic or commercial, represent a major challenge to the experts. The address or return addressee are often a good clue.
Forerunners in Czechoslovakian philately are stamps of Austria and Hungary in use on Czechoslovak territory, on or after October 28, 1918. These include the Austrian regular issues of 1916/18, such as the 3, 5, 6, 10, and 12h (Crown Issue of 1916), 15, 20 (light green), 25 and 30h (Karl, 1917), 20h (Karl, dark green, 1918), 40, 50, 60, 80, 90h, 2, 3,4, 10K (light colors, 1917); 1, 2, 3K (1918 with 2, 3K on granite paper); Special Delivery: 2, 5h (rectangular, 1917); Newspaper: 2, 4, 6, 10, 30h (Mercury, 1916); Postage Due: 5, 10, 15,20,25,30, 40, 50h ( Small numeral, 1,5, l0 K (tall rectangle, 1916), l h, 15/2h,Hungarian regular: 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 40f (Reapers, colored numerals, 1916/1918), 10, 15f (Reapers, white numerals, 1916), 50, 75, 80f, 1,2,3,5,10K (Parliament 1916/18), 10, 20 25f (Karl, 1918), 40, 50f (Zita, 1918); Special Delivery: 2f (surgos, 1916); Newspaper:2f (Seal, 1913); Postage Due: 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30f (Red numerals, 1915/18).
In rare instances, older Austrian issues remained available for postal usage after October 28, 1918. Austrian Air Mail stamps were available in Prague and Brno post offices during a limited period.. Austrian Postal Savings, the Austrian 4K and 10K on granite paper, and the Hungarian “Reapers” with the legend MAGYAR POSTA, were issued after October 28, 1918 and therefore were not officially available in Czechoslovak post offices. The validity for payment of postage of the forerunner stamps was announced by official postal proclamation #3426 VI ’19 of February 8, 1919, which also terminated validity as of February 28, 1919. Exchange of Austrian and Hungarian stamps for Czechoslovak stamps was carried out at post offices through March 15, 1919. These dates did not apply to postal stationery.
|
(Fig. 25) |
Based on our definition of forerunner, unused stamps may be considered as such. Most Czecho collectors, however, prefer stamps with clear post marks, showing the stamps to have been used on Czechoslovak territory between October 28, 1918 and February 28, 1919. Of particular interest (and what joy on discovery in a penny box, packet or cheap circuit) are Austrian and Hungarian stamps post marked on October 28, 1918, Czechoslovak Independence Day.(Fig. 25) |
Postal service on that day was not particularly brisk in the new-born Republic, and covers cancelled on this date are hard to find. Virtually no “philatelic” covers are known with this date cancel.
Forerunners on cover or parcel receipts are most desirable, particularly when used in mixed frankings with Czechoslovakias first issue or canceled with “Nationalized” post marks.
VIII. NATIONALIZED POST MARKS
While many forerunners and even Czechoslovak stamps of the First Issue were post marked with cancelers remaining from the pre-liberation period, bearing German/Czech, German/Polish, German or Hungarian locality names, this situation soon began to change. Emblems and references to Austria-Hungary, and most frequently German names began to disappear from postal markings of all kinds, by whatever means local postal employees could contrive. While most frequently the German name was cut out or obliterated, other means of “nationalization” were also prevalent, as illustrated in Figure 26. These included:
a. Twisting the date line in some devices by 180 to bring the Czech name to the top and leaving the foreign name at the bottom, or bringing the Czech name to the left.
b. Blackening the foreign name, which, however, did not always produce permanent results.
c. Alteration of some German names to make them appear in Czech.
d. Combinations of the above.
Fig. 26
In some instances, proceeding as above, the foreign name was removed. In some border areas where separatist movements existed, the Czech names were removed. Such altered postmarks are both interesting and rare since the Czechoslovak authorities did not tolerate such movements very long.
In Slovakia, and later on in 1919, in the Carpatho-Ukraine, nationalization of post marks was somewhat more complicated. Post marks there were not bilingual, but for the most part, in Hungarian. The simplest form of nationalization was alteration of the order in which Hungarian dates are written from year, month, day to the Slovak order of day, month, year. Some names, when appropriate were altered to make them appear Slovak, as shown in Figure 27.
Fig. 27
In some cases the Crown of St. Steven was obliterated by blacking it out. Official word from the Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs came as early as November 7, 1918. The order specifically forbade the changing of names, the obliteration of non-Czech names or wording, except for the removal of the Austro-Hungarian Eagle, “c .k.” and “K.K.” In Hungarian markings, it was permissible to remove the Crown of St. Steven and to reverse the order of the date presentation. This directive, though issued only ten days after Independence, was nevertheless, too late, since most of the “nationalizing” at local post offices had already taken place.
Because of shortages resulting in the inability of the postal authorities to provide new cancelers in a timely fashion, nationalized as well as old un-nationalized cancelers remained in use through most of 1919, and in some localities well into 1920. For reasons hard to explain, one such device, with the German name removed, remained in use in the town of Èkvorec up until 1925.
The subject of transition postmarks is well documented by early authors including Leitenberger and Feller, and more recently Vacek and in Monografie XVI.
IX SCOUT ISSUE
Probably the most popular provisional issue of Czechoslovakia is that of the Scouts. The Czech Boy Scouts were designated to provide mail delivery service for the National Council as well as other government offices and functionaries. The service was available during the period of October 28, 1918 to November 25, 1918. At first, it was an unofficial arrangement to give dependable and secure service, but it was made official with the issuance of a regulation on November 7th, recognizing the service, and defining its methods of operation.
Two stamps were prepared for the use of the scouts. (Fig. 28)
Printed by the Kolman firm in Prague, they were prepared by a “die-out” process. The blue 10 heller stamp was intended for use on postal cards and unsealed letters, while the red 20 heller stamp for payment of letter delivery. Two printings were made on pre-gummed paper. The first printing is distinguished by the heavy yellow, cracked gum, while the second printing has smooth, white gum. Each of the colors has several shades. Color trials were prepared from the same plates and exist in about 35 colors and shades. A 10 heller postal card of the same design was also issued.
Letters and cards were gathered at several points in Prague, where the Scout stamps were affixed, canceled, and a receipt stamp added. A Scout was then dispatched with the mail. On delivery, he was supposed to get the signature of the addressee, sign the cover himself, and return it to the originating office as receipt of delivery.
This service was reactivated on December 21, 1918, to mark the day when President Tomáà G. Masaryk returned to Prague. The Scout stamps were overprinted with the text “Píjezd Presidenta Masaryka” (Arrival of President Masaryk). (Fig. 29)
Overprinted stamps on cover or telegrams are quite rare.
X. PLEBISCITE OVERPRINT “S.O. 1920”
A border dispute between the two newly created countries, Czechoslovakia and Poland, focused on several parts of former Austrian Silesia. The region, often referred to as the Teàin, Spià, and Orava districts, included several localities over which the two nations very nearly went to war. The Czechoslovak claims were largely historical, whereas, the Polish claims were based on the ethnic composition of the population. Unable to reach accord, the two agreed to abide by the decision of an Allied Council, which was to have made its decision on the basis of a plebiscite. By order of the major powers, the Czechoslovak Army withdrew beyond a demarcation line which divided the Teàin district into two portions. However, the plebiscite never took place, and the border was established by arbitration on July 10, 1920. By agreement dated July 28, 1920, in Paris, final partition took place along s border running somewhat east of the original demarcation line.
By authority of the Allied Commission, which established offices in the town of Teàin on February 2, 1920, both countries issued stamps for use on their respective sides of the demarcation line. On the Czechoslovak side, altogether forty values were issued – not counting perforation and overprint varieties – while on the Polish side, there were ten values. The overprinted Czechoslovak stamps included the then current regular, postage due, special delivery and newspaper issues, while the Polish stamps included only regular issues. Four Czechoslovak and two Polish overprint formats to accommodate the various stamp sizes and are illustrated in Figure 30. The stamps were postally valid between February 13th and August 10th, 1920.
Fig 30
Except for the Masaryk set, which appeared too late for postal usage, all Czechoslovak stamps are known on cover, sometimes appearing with stamps not overprinted, i. e. mixed franking.
Plating of the overprints is part of advanced collecting of this overprint; a task made easier by the fact that the overprint appears mainly on typographed stamps which themselves are frequently plated.
The overprint “S.O. 1920” was produced in Prague at the Czech Graphic Union by typography, from regular type set. It was always applied to full sheets of 100. The overprint color is black, red, blue, or violet, all rich in shade varieties. The issue is also rich in plate and printing varieties, including inverted overprints. Many trials, essays, unissued overprints and trials of overprints alone exist. So do forgeries.
Postal rates in the plebiscite region were the same as domestic ones. Stamps on cover must bear readable cancels for verification of authenticity. Late favor cancels are common. The best source for a listing of towns in the plebiscite region, overprint details, usage and just about everything else on this series is Monogafie V issued in Prague in 1998.
XI. EMERGENCY FRANKING
There are a number of key points that serve to separate legitimate emergency franking from philatelic creations. Fortunately, collectors have studied the subject and published the names of localities in which a particular means of emergency franking was practiced. The second key is the date of the franking, and the third is the correctness of the franking with respect to prevailing postal rates. These are as follows:
PERIOD |
Post
|
up to 20g |
Letter addl .20~ |
Printed
|
Registry |
Special Delivery |
|
10/20/18 — 5/14/19
|
lOh
|
20h
|
5h
|
3h
|
25h
|
60h
|
|
5/15/19 — 3/14/20
|
15h
|
25h
|
5h
|
5h
|
50h
|
60h
|
|
3/15/20 — 7/31/20
|
20h
|
30h
|
5h
|
5h
|
50h
|
60h
|
|
8/1/20 — 12/31/21
|
40h
|
60h
|
20h
|
lOh
|
1 .25K
|
60h
|
 Fig. 31 |
A. BISECTS OF AUSTRIAN STAMPS |
Private individuals were not permitted to use bisected stamps for franking by post offices: horizontally, vertically, or at an angle (Fig. 31).
Mail franked with bisects occasionally bears notations by postal officials such as, “lacking l0 h stamps”, or other reasons for the use of the bisects. In most localities in which bisects were used, such use occurred prior to February 1919. Only in Plan (Plarná was a bisect of the 20h Karl used. as late as February 1919. Nevertheless, covers bearing bisects from localities in which official bisecting was not authorized, do exist, as do covers bearing bi-sects dating later than February 1919. These are generally of philatelic origin and usually favor canceled.B. BISECTS OF CZECHOSLOVAK STAMPS
Bisects of the Hradany and Postage Due issue are rarer than Austrian bisects, as they were used in fewer localities. (Fig. 31) However, they were used significantly later; i .e. through the summer of 1919, and in one locality, at the extreme eastern end of the Republic, in Mukaevo, Carpatho-Ukraine, as late as April 1921.
C. PROVISIONAL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS
The shortage of postage due stamps led to the use of regular, special delivery, and newspaper stamps as provisional postage dues. Post offices had rubber hand stamps with the capital letter “T” (Taxe) or “P” (Porto). The design of the letters varied from place to place. Hence by the study of these hand overprints, one can determine the place of origin. Other hand stamps with texts such as PORTO, DOPLATIT or DOPLATNÉ (Postage due) are known, among others. However, the most common provisional postage due use was the writing of either capital letters or the words “Porto” or “Doplatit”. The overprints by hand stamp or script appear on the stamps of Czechoslovakia and those of Austria and Hungary. This practice was halted by a regulation (No. 29) of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraph issued on June 8, 1920, which prohibited further manufacture of provisional postage dues. (Fig. 32 )
D. PROVISIONAL NEWSPAPER STAMPS
The need for newspaper stamps could not be satisfied quickly during the first months following independence. Nor was there a sufficient quantity of Austrian newspaper stamps available in Czech post offices to fulfill the need. Therefore, on November 19, 1918, the Post Office issued a regulation authorizing newspapers to indicate postage payment by issuing their own stamps or otherwise marking the newspaper wrappers.
Newspaper publishers prepared stamps on gummed and ungummed paper, which then had to be affixed to the paper wrapper to indicate the pre-payment of postage. (Fig. 33) Following the Austro-Hungarian practice, the Post Office canceled the newspaper stamps at the post office of destination rather than the one of origin. This explains why the provisional newspaper stamps of one publication will often be found with different cancellations.
These provisional stamps have varying designs, though the form tends to be square or oblong boxed. In most cases, the name of the publication appears on these provisional stamps. Some publications used just a rubber stamp, instead of printing their own stamps. They are often printed on varying qualities of paper, of different colors. These provisional stamps on wrapper are not easy to find, but they do make an interesting section of a collection.
XII. POSTAL STATIONERY
As with stamps, the postal stationery of both Austria and Hungary continued to be used in Czechoslovakia. The rate for postal cards was 10 heller and 20 h for a letter sheet. The 8 heller postal card had a 2 h Special Delivery stamp added to make up the difference. When the rates increased to 15 heller, a 5h Hradany stamp was added to up the value of the stationery.
Many of the 8 heller Austrian postal cards were overprinted by hand with the letters CSR and the value 10, thus up-valuing the cards. The overprints are in black. and in rare cases in blue or blue-black. (Fig. 34) Three basic different designs exist. A smaller number of Hungarian postal cards and letter sheets were also overprinted.
Fig 34
XIII. MIXED FRANKING
|
|
Since both Austrian and Hungarian stamps were valid for postage until February 28,1919, mixed franking was almost inevitable. Many combinations are possible, and in fact, exist. Not only is mixed franking known using just stamps, but also Czech stamps on Austrian and Hungarian postal stationery and vice versa. Mixed franking is also rather commonly found on parcel receipts (on piece). |
REFERENCES
This article is an up-dated and corrected version of one written by Jaroslav J Verner and Henry Hahn
1. Specializovaný Katalog eskoslovensko 1918 – 1939; Pofis, Prague,1999
2. Specializovaná Píruka pro sbratele eskoslovenských poàtovních známek (Specialized Handbook for collectors of Czechoslovak postage stamps); Prague, 1978.
3. Ecksteinv Katalog S. Známek; Prague, 1939.
4. Hirsch, Edwin and Frank, Jaroslav, eskoslovenské známky ;,F..Borovy,Praha,1935
5. Karásek, Jan et al, Padlky eskoslovenských poàtovních známek 1918-1939 (Counterfeits of Czechoslovak postage stamps); Prague, 1963
6. Kvasnika, Zdenk, ed. Monographie eskoslovenských znamek, [post-revolutionary period];Vol. I, Prague, 1968
7. Novotný, Ladislav. Speciální Piruka pro sbratele eskoslovenských známek (Special Handbook for Collectors of Czechoslovak stamps), Prague, 1970, p. 39ff.,
8. Tovaovský et al, Monographie eskoslovenských znamek, [SO 1920], Vol.5; Prague, 1998
9. Vacek, J. Popevratová razítka byvalého eskoslovenska (Post-revolutionary cancels of the former Czechoslovakia), Prague,1940