Fiftieth Anniversary of the Czechoslovak Philatelic of Great Britain
A
Short History
The CPSGB celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Although there was an exchange club before World War II, it was in 1953 that the Society came to be in its present form. The Society now has around 200 members worldwide, their collecting interests covering all aspects of the philately of the Czech and Slovak lands.
The first UK society dedicated to the collecting and study of Czechoslovak philately was formed in 1942 and consisted mainly of Czechoslovaks who had escaped the Nazi occupation of their homeland, many offering their services as fighting units in Great Britain. When a considerable proportion of military personnel moved to France in August 1944, the society lost many of its members. Whilst still in the UK these military units had their own Field Post Office and were given permission by the British Post Office to use their own cancellations on mail. Many of these were commemorative cancellations and members of the society at that time were permitted to receive specimens of these cancellations.
Despite the short life of the original society, one major event took place that has left its mark on the history of Czechoslovak philately. Under the patronage of the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile, an exhibition of Czechoslovak postage stamps was held in London in November 1943 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. The exhibition was attended by many government officials and a miniature sheet was issued to mark the event.
Little was heard of the society for several years, but in 1951 an announcement appeared in Stamp Collecting about the possibility of forming an exchange club for Czechoslovak stamps. The proposed name for this new society was "The Linden Leaf," but it was decided that a more suitable name would be the "Czechoslovak Philatelic Society of Great Britain." In addition to the exchange packets, a "Study Circle Dossier" was circulated by Vincent Jourdan in 1952, these being circulated round all members who could add their own comments before the completed dossier was re-circulated.
It is now 50 years since George Pearson FRPSL gave a display of Czechoslovakia to the Royal Philatelic Society London on 21 May 1953, and it was in the Royal's library on that day that plans to keep the society alive were discussed. At a later meeting in October 1953, elections for Officers and a Committee took place and it was decided that meetings would take place quarterly at Peach & Dow's Auction Rooms in Lambs Conduit Street, London. With a Committee and premises for displays and discussions, the CPSGB had now become the model on which today's Society is based.
From 1955 meetings were moved to the home of Robert Trager in Montague Street W1. Thereafter the Society met first in the British Philatelic Association's office in Strand, and later at their new premises in the National Liberal Club. Today, the CPSGB is fortunate to have the use of the Czech & Slovak National Club in West Hampstead, where the informal atmosphere mingles well with the Czech beer and cuisine.
A Short History of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia was founded in October 1918 in the last days of World War I. T G Masaryk became its first President and held this office until his resignation in 1936 when he was succeeded by Dr. E Beneà. It consisted of three provinces, Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia, to which Ruthenia (Carpatho-Ukraine) was added in 1919. These provinces had all been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Before the formation of the Dual Monarchy in 1867, when Hungary gained internal independence, all the lands that were to become Czechoslovakia were served by the Austrian postal authorities. The first distinctive Hungarian stamps were issued in 1871 and were used in Slovakia and Ruthenia, both of which had historically been under Hungarian control for hundreds of years.
The First Czechoslovak Republic lasted until October 1938 when, under the Munich Agreement, the Sudeten areas of Czechoslovakia were ceded to Germany. Parts of north-eastern Moravia became part of Poland, and in November 1938 Hungary occupied border areas of southern Slovakia and southern Ruthenia. Slovakia and Ruthenia (renamed Carpatho-Ukraine) were granted autonomy and the official title of the now federalised Second Republic became Czecho-Slovakia.
On 15 March 1939 Germany invaded and occupied Bohemia and Moravia. At this time Slovakia declared its independence, as did Carpatho-Ukraine which was, however, immediately occupied by Hungary; Hungary also took over certain border areas in eastern Slovakia. During World War II stamps were issued by the Protectorate of Bohemia & Moravia and by the independent Slovakian state.
At the end of World War II in May 1945, after its liberation by Soviet and American forces, Czechoslovakia resumed as an independent country, and Dr. Beneà returned to Prague as President. Carpatho-Ukraine and a small section of eastern Slovakia were ceded to the Soviet Union. In February 1948 a bloodless revolution took place and the coalition government was replaced by a Communist government under Soviet influence. Dr. Beneà resigned as President shortly thereafter and was replaced by Klement Gottwald, followed by Presidents Zápotocký and Novotný.
In the spring of 1968 there was a move, led by Alexander Dubček and supported by an overwhelming part of the population, to liberalise the country. This, however, was not acceptable to the Soviet Union who, together with other Warsaw Pact countries, invaded Czechoslovakia and forced a return to traditional hard-line Communist government under President Dr. Husák. This state of affairs continued until 1989 when Czechoslovakia returned peacefully to democratic government in the Velvet Revolution. By general acclaim Václav Havel was elected President of the new democratic Czechoslovakia.
In 1992 a decision was taken to separate the Czech lands from Slovakia and on 1 January 1993 two separate states of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were formed, each issuing its own stamps from that time. Václav Havel was elected as President of the Czech Republic, a position he has held until his resignation from office on 1 February 2003.
List of Displays
O Hornung RDP Frames 1 - 4
Carpatho-Ukraine
The display shows the earliest period: pre-philatelic starting with a letter of Gyàrgyi Rakoczi I, Prince of Transylvania 1646, with two pre-philatelic covers from the Vatican. The Austrian stamp period covers 1850 to 1871.
Brian Parker Frames 5 - 6
Prague Postal Marks of the Austrian Empire Period 1785-1918
This exhibit illustrates the development of postal markings used by the Prague Main Post Office, from the first dispatch mark introduced in 1782 to the end of the Austrian empire period in 1918.
Initially some examples of the many pre-adhesive dispatch marks are shown, followed by the types used to cancel the early adhesives. Further sheets show the introduction of the date, year and time codes to these postmarks. The stages of introduction of the Czech language to the postmarks are shown, terminating in language equality with the issue of the numeral postmarks from 1898.
R Morrell Frames 7 - 8
Continued Use of Postal Stationery in the Early Days of the Republic
After the formation of the new Czecho-Slovak Republic, Austrian and Hungarian stamps remained valid until 28 February 1919, and overprinted postal stationery until 14 October 1919. This display illustrates this transition period until the introduction of new designs. Hungarian-style date stamps were not replaced until even later.
J Barry Horne FRPSL Frame 9
Scouts
A range showing colour proofs, shades, stamps on cover and some cancels together with forgeries and details of genuine and forged stamps.
Brian C Day Frames 10 - 12
The Sokol Organisation to the VII Slet
This famous gymnastic organisation, founded in 1862 and long since holding nationalistic and democratic principles, played a major role in obtaining Czecho-Slovak independence in October 1918. Its members had achieved international status and fame during WWI fighting with Allied army units in France, Italy and Russia.
From early days it held local and national gymnastic displays called "Slets" despite opposition from the Austrian Hapsburg government, and the first All-Sokol Slet was held in Prague in 1882. Periodically ever since, except during the Communist period in the homeland, Slets with international participation have been held. Attendances ranged from 1,600 spectators in 1882 to 1,000,000 in 1938.
The organisation grew worldwide among Czech and Slovak immigrants and where Slavic or Slavonic peoples live.
The material displayed includes issued postage stamps, a selection of early material and a few of the many postcards and covers etc. associated with the Sokols.
Brian C Day Frames 13 - 15
The Czechoslovak Field Post in Siberia 1918-1920
The Great War found Czechs and Slovaks fighting on both sides of the conflict, some on the side of the Central Powers. Others defected to the Imperial Russian Army (an Allied Power) with its similar ethnic Slav or Slavonic population.
In 1914 the first company, called Česka Drûina, about a thousand strong, was formed in Kiev, initially from Czechs and Slovaks already living in Russia and later from defectors and released POWs accepted as co-belligerents. It was initially under Russian officer command but included eleven Czech officers. Some 70,000 soldiers eventually formed the Czechoslovak Legion, consisting of a corps with three infantry divisions, each having four regiments.
After the Bolshevik Revolution in October 1917 and the collapse of the Russian Imperial Army, the Legion in early 1918 was endeavouring to return home via Vladivostok, up to 6,000 miles away. It was halted and instructed to return westwards to stop released German and Austrian POWs from rejoining their units and being transferred to the Western Front. The Legion met opposition from Germans, Bolsheviks, Hungarians and former POWs still spread across Siberia and it fought on until the Allied victory was accomplished.
The Legion maintained a full field post service and it also managed most of the civilian postal services in Siberia. This display shows a selection of material from the period through to the Legionis embarkation at Vladivostok, until the last of the thirty-five Czechoslovak military transports left for home on 28 August 1920.
David Holt Frames 16 - 18
Czechoslovakia 1918-1919
The End of Austrian Stamps and Stationery
On 28 October 1918 the Republic of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed. The first stamps were not printed until two months later so, in the meantime in the Czech lands, use of Austrian stamps and stationery continued. The stamps were finally withdrawn at the time of the currency reform on 28 February 1919, while Austrian stationery remained valid until 14 October 1919. During this period there were many problems - shortage of stamps, lack of certain types and values etc. - which gave rise to a wide range of usages.
Yvonne Wheatley FRPSL Frames 19 - 21
Hradčany
Alfons Mucha designed the first postage stamp of Czechoslovakia and two values appeared on 18 December 1918. The design depicts Hradčany, the castle that dominates Prague from its hilltop setting.
The original vignette underwent variations giving rise to four main designs, which are shown in the display with the sub-types. Also shown are trial printings, essays and colour trials as well as usage of the issued stamps.
J Barry Horne FRPSL Frames 22 - 24
Masaryk 1920
From proofs with blank value tablets to proofs in black and colour trials, trial prints for the issued stamps - 500h, 1000h, 125h and also for the unissued values 2000h, 1200h and a range of proofs and colour trials for the small size 50h.
Ian Nutley Frame 25
Czech Airmails to South America
A very brief look at the prewar transmission to South America by the four carriers of the time - Aeropostale/Air France, The Zeppelin Company, Deutsche Lufthansa and the Italian line LATI.
Reg Hounsell Frames 26 - 27
Czechoslovakia Air History - The Early Years
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the populace of what later became Czechoslovakia attended meetings where "lighter than air" and engine-powered demonstration flights took place. Despite World War I, when machine-powered planes became weapons of destruction, the attraction of flying remained.
Using postcards, pictures, stamps and postmark examples on flown items, the two frames follow the link from balloon flights in 1898 through the "Zeppelin" flights before the Great War. Then into the 1920-1923 period when regular but seasonal mail acceptance operated using the Compagnie Franco-Roumaine air service between Prague, Strasbourg, Paris and London. For the start of this service Czechoslovakia provided unique direction labels and two provisional stamp issues, firstly in 1920 and again in 1922 when airmail rates were considerably reduced.
Reg Hounsell Frame 28
Czechoslovakia Air Issues - 1946-1949
In 1946, in conjunction with other air carriers, the re-formed Czechoslovakia Statni Airline (CSA) restarted air services from Prague on many European and international routes. For these services the Czechoslovak postal authorities issued a set of air stamps. One of the values was printed specifically to cover airmail and registration fees on the inaugural Pan American Airline "Clipper" route between New York and various European cities.
Using stamps and flown items, this one-frame display illustrates the key points of the 1946 issue and its use on airmail. Included are examples of the overprinting in 1949 of existing air stamps with new values, necessitated by the reduction in airmail rates.
R Hollis Frames 29 - 30
The Sudetenland Crisis
Propaganda cards, covers, overprints and registration labels to do with the German takeover of the Sudetenland.
Rex A DixonFrames 31 - 32
Collecting Postage Due in Bohemia and Moravia
Czechoslovakia inherited the organisation of its postal services from the Austrian Empire. When Germany established a Protectorate over Bohemia and Moravia in March 1939, there was a slow transition from Czechoslovak practices to German practices. The exhibit shows aspects of this transition as it relates to the collection of postage due, which eventually led to the phasing out of postage due stamps. In passing it also shows other aspects of the transition, including the phased introduction of German postage rates, calculated at the rate of 10 crowns to 1 Reichsmark.
Colin W Spong FRPSLFrames 33 - 34
Independent Slovakia March-April 1939
Slovakia declared independence on 14 March 1939. The Slovak Ministry of Posts, in the absence of a definitive stamp issue, decided to use the great many Czechoslovak stamps still held in the post offices throughout the country. They also authorised the overprinting of these various issues. These 18 sheets show both the mint stamps and their usage on covers during this period.
Ian Nutley Frames 35 - 37
Theresienstadt Ghetto
Mail and documents concerned with the confinement of Jews in the infamous ghetto of Theresienstadt near Prague.
Robert J HillFrames 38 - 39
Postal Effects of the Liberation of Brno 26 April 1945
The display attempts to show how the removal of German influence on the postal service was achieved in this major city, initially by defacing stamps, then by amending and defacing cancellers, paying for postage in cash and defacing German-language postal stationery.
William A Dawson (Bill Dawson) Frames 40 - 41
Monetary Reform 1953
On 1 June 1953 the currency of Czechoslovakia was reformed. One new crown was given for every 5 old crowns up to 300 old crowns; above that it was 1 new crown for every 50 old crowns.
All postal tariffs had to be changed overnight, all rates being reduced to nominally one fifth. For the interim period 1 to 18 June 1953, old currency stamps remained valid at rate of 50 crowns to 1 new crown, being effectively a tenfold increase. On 19 June, with the release of issues with values in new crowns, the old issues were invalidated.
All dates are displayed with many different postal rates.
Richard Beith Frames 42 - 44
Free Czechoslovak Forces in Great Britain 1940-1945
Free Czechoslovak forces, soldiers and airmen, arrived in this country in July 1940 following the fall of France. The soldiers returned to France at the end of August 1944 as the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade. The airmen remained in Great Britain until the end of the war in Europe, some forming four Czechoslovak Squadrons Nos. 310-313.
Frame 42: Czechoslovaks in Cheshire - the arrival in 1940 and recent commemorations.
Frame 43: Outward mail to the free world.
Frame 44: Inward mail from overseas.
George Firmage Frames 45 - 46
Between Stamps
Many of the designer-engravers of Czechoslovak stamps produced some "private" work between their assignments for the postal authority, none more so than Jiří Svengsbir (1921-1983) and Josef HerčÆk (1922-1999). In addition to more than 680 stamps and some 450 vignettes for first day covers between them, the two artists created hundreds of engravings of views of Prague (their favourite subject), portraits, flora, etc. The pages exhibited represent only a small selection of Svengsbr's and Herčik's work between stamps, and are presented simply for the viewer's enjoyment.
Lindy Bosworth Frames 47 - 48
The International Stamp Exhibition "Praga 1978"
Praga 1978, the fifth International Postage Stamp Exhibition to be held in Prague, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia and of the first issue of Czechoslovak postage stamps. The theme of international co-operation and peaceful co-existence of all countries was chosen by the Communist authorities of the time to invite all participants to the capital of the Republic. The Exhibition was extensively publicised and many philatelic souvenirs were produced. Some of this material is shown in the display.
Richard Beith Frames 49 - 50
Smetana and Dvořák
Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) "The Father of Bohemian Music" and Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) were the two most important Czech composers of the nineteenth century. They are shown here on stamps, postmarks and associated ephemera.
Chad Neighbor Frames 51 - 52
A Peaceful Parting: Czech and Slovak Republics 1993
This display is a philatelic record of the early days of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993. It concentrates on the first nine months of that year, when Czechoslovak stamps were still valid in both countries. It includes the first issues, first day covers, special event covers and mixed frankings. It also contains an inaugural cover signed by the writer and prisoner of conscience turned politician and President of the Czech Republic - Václav Havel.
The CPSGB would like to thank the President, Fellows and Members of the Royal Philatelic Society London for the honour accorded to the Society by their kind invitation to present this display on the occasion of their 50th anniversary
Monographs in print
|
No.3 (1985) |
Poöta Československo Overprints, by Roy A Dehn FRPSL |
47pp |
|
No.4 (1985) |
Carpatho Ukraine - Postal Markings 1938-1945, |
39pp |
|
No.5 (1987) & Supplement (1992) |
Czechoslovak Army in France, by Roy E Reader |
90pp |
|
No.6 (1988) |
German Occupation of Sudetenland 1938, by W A Dawson |
71pp |
|
No.7 (1989) |
Index of Articles on Czechoslovak Philately, |
15pp |
|
No.8 (1988) |
Occupation of Czechoslovak Frontier Territories by Beck's Poland
from the Postal History View-Point, |
46pp |
|
No.9 (1991) |
The Field Post of the Czechoslovak & Allied Forces in Russia 1918-1920, an anthology compiled by W A Page FRPSL |
55pp |
|
No.10 (1996) |
The 25th Anniversary of Czechoslovak Independence - |
50pp |
|
No.11 (1996) |
The Sokols in Philately - Postal, Commemorative Postmarks & Postcards, by Brian C Day |
70pp |
|
No.12 (1999) |
Military Cards of the Exiled Czechoslovak Forces in France and
Great Britain 1939-1945, |
36pp |
|
No.13 (2000) |
The Hradčany Issue 1918-1920, by Robert Bradford |
40pp |
|
No.15 (2002) |
The Postal History of the Free Czechoslovak Forces in Great Britain 1940-1945, by Richard Beith |
90pp |
|
No.17 (2002) |
Czechoslovak Field Post 1918-1921, a Study of Postal Activities, by Brian C Day |
140pp |
No.14 and No.16 in preparation
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