THE CZECH NATIONAL ANTHEM ANNIVERSARY ISSUE OF 1934
By Henry Hahn, article published in 1984
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first public hearing of the lovely song “Kde Domov Můj?” (“Where is My Home?”) which later became the first (Czech) part of the Czechoslovak National Anthem. The Anthem includes a second (Slovak) portion, which contrasts with the first part in both mood and style.
“Kde Domov Můj” was premiered on December 21, 1834, as part of the musical play “Fidlovačka” (“Fiddling Party”). The music is by František Škroup, words by Josef Kajetán Tyl.
On occasion of the 100th anniversary, in 1934, a set of two stamps was issued, 1 Kč in claret and 2 Kč in blue. In addition, the same designs were issued in form of souvenir sheets of 15 subjects, on heavy ungummed paper, with decorated edges showing a linden leaf design as well as the words and music. The design of the stamp is based on a sketch by the well-known Czech artist, Josef Mánes. It depicts the legendary event of the finding of Přemysl-oráč (Přemysl the ploughman) who at Princess Libuše’s beheast became her husband and founder of the Přemyslide Dynasty. This dynasty of some thirty male rulers—Dukes, Princes, and Kings—ruled Bohemia from just before the end of the 10th century to 1306.
The sketch and side ornamentation of the stamp design by Mánes was rendered more suitable for engraving and engraved by Karel Seizinger. Seizinger’s initial in form of a mirror image of an “S” may be found in the upper part of the bushes near the center of the design. The letter “M” replacing the Mánes signature on the sketch is in the lower left corner. The issue was printed by the Czechoslovak Graphical Union in Prague.
The souvenir sheet format, which has become known in the U.S. as the “Music Sheets,” is frame perforated 13¼ x 13. The stamps could be removed and used for postage, though they were ungummed.
The stamps, both regular issue and Music Sheets, remained valid for franking through March 15, 1937.
Printing
The regular issue was printed on a rotary press (STICKNEY) from steel plates. To accommodate the somewhat unusual dimensions of the stamp, the printing form consisted of two plates, marked “1” and “1A” with 100 subjects each, in 20 rows of 5. Both sides of the sheet contain ample selvage (51 mm) which is perforated so that fully perforated blank coupons appear on both sides of the sheet. Orientation of the plates on the roll is such that the vertical axis of the stamp is in the rolling direction. The plate numbers appear at the lower left, i.e., in the coupon adjacent to the 96th stamp, as illustrated. Only one set of plates was used for the entire printing of 156,300 sheets of the 1 Kč and 22,700 sheets of the 2 Kč. The stamps are line perforated 9¾.
The Music Sheet issue was flat plate printed. The plates were made from the same engraving (and probably the same transfer rolls) as the plates used for rotary printing of the regular issue. However, the spacing between the stamps in the flat plate printing is somewhat wider, both vertically and horizontally. Each sheet contains 15 subjects in horizontal rows of 3.
The Music Sheet dimensions are generally 173.5 x 286 mm, and the total number of perforation openings is 718. A single plate for each value was used for the entire printing of 12,900—1 Kč sheets and 9,600—2 Kč sheets.
The design and sheet dimensions in the Music Sheet vary, depending on how the paper was placed in the press (horizontally or vertically). Thus, the dimensions of the full sheet when inserted vertically (i.e., when the paper roll direction was parallel to the vertical edge of the printed sheet) are 173.5 x 286 mm and the stamp design dimensions are 30 x 17.2 mm. These dimensions apply to the majority of the 1 Kč sheets, and the minority of the 2 Kč sheets.
When the paper was fed into the flat plate press in the horizontal direction, the corresponding dimensions are 174.5 x 284 mm for the sheet and 30.5 x 17.0 mm for the stamp design.
Each Music Sheet plate contains a unique series of indexing marks (dots or strokes) which are important to collectors in that they may be used as a preliminary means of expertizing the sheets. If the markings are absent or in the wrong location, the item is not genuine, and one need not go further. Location of the markings may be found in the literature.1
Originally, each sheet was packaged in a folder with printed title, etc.
Varieties
The stamps, which are printed on white paper, are frequently toned to a varying degree during printing. The gum may be clear, yellowish, or brownish with more or less pronounced horizontal lining.
The “Music Sheet” paper is heavy (0.18 to 0.23 mm), ungummed. Except for toning and gum, no plate or printing varieties are known.
Proofs and Unissued Items
Die proofs of both values exist. Trial printings in final color are known, as well as others, particularly the 1 K… value, printed on smooth, slightly toned, ungummed paper. Colors include black in the case of the 1 K…, ultramarine in the 2 K…, and others. Postmarks and Usage A commemorative postmark “PRAHA 10 HRAD” (“Prague 10-Castle”) was used from date of issue to December 20th (1934) and applied in blue. On December 21st only, the postmark was applied in red. From December 22nd to January 15, 1935, the postmark was again applied in blue. Subsequently, the canceling device was transferred to the Prague 1 post office where it was applied in either color.
The SEPAD ’84 Show Cancellation, available at the Society for Czechoslovak Philately booth, was modeled after the “PRAHA 10 HRAD” original.
During December 1934, a slogan cancel to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Czech Anthem was used in Prague 25.
The regular issue was used for commercial mail, and covers are quite common. Stamps taken from the Music Sheets are rare on commercial covers.
REFERENCES
1J. Karásek, Z. Kvasnička, and B. Pulíek, Padělky „Českých Známek, POFIS, Prague 1963, p. 207 ff. (English translation of this comprehensive reference on FORGERIES available from the Society for Czechoslovak Philately.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(1) E. Hirsch, J. Franěk, “„Československé Známky,” Prague 1935.
(2) J. Karásek, F. Žampach, “Monografie „Československých Známek’ III., Prague 1979. (3) Specializovaný Katalog „Česk. Pošt. Zn., PRAGA 1978 (Specialized Handbook).