MONOGRAPH OF CZECHOSLOVAK STAMPS, 5th PART – SO 1920
by Oldiich Tovacovsky, co-authored by Vladimir Schodelbauer and Jan Kypast with ten additional contributors listed in the title page.
Published by POFIS in cooperation with the Union of Czech Philatelists at the publishing house of FILATELIE, in PRAGUE, 1998.
This book is part of what is currently a twelve (12) volume set detailing much of Czechoslovakias philately and postal history. It is hard bound, contains 295 pages and, for the first time in the series, includes a color illustrated section showing individual overprinted stamps, full sheets, and covers. The entire set of the Monographs is in Czech.
The contents of this volume – the S.O. overprints – is probably the most complex subject in the entire area of Czechoslovak philately. This is due to the existence of all basic varieties of the overprinted stamps, mostly printed from a multiplicity of plates permutated through one or more overprint plates, each showing their own characteristic varieties. In addition the book covers the S.O. overprints on the issues of Poland.
The text is appropriately comprehensive and well organized in nine (9) chapters. The first deals with he history of the plebiscite territory, somewhat condensed, and with some of the maps showing the various demarcation lines, as for example on p.8 perhaps a bit unclear. The second chapter consists of a full presentation of the overprinted Czechoslovak issues. While covering such subjects as perforations, plate varieties and other characteristics of the basic stamps, the treatment is of necessity less detailed than what may be found in the first part of the Monograph series. The third chapter deals with manufacturing faults and trials of the overprint. The fourth covers overprint varieties, pointing the major ones out by diagrammatic presentation showing plate location with accompanying descriptions. Chapter five deals with postmarks in the plebiscite area while chapter six covers the usage of the overprinted stamps. Chapter seven covers forgeries of the overprint, postmarks and covers, and chapter eight deals with valuation, using point count. The last chapter covers usage, postal rates, forerunners, Polish issues, censorship and pertinent historic aspects.
Some, though not all of the information presented on overprint varieties. may be found in other publications, such as the Padelky (Forgeries) book published some years ago. However, the information as presented is significantly clearer and more comprehensive. In addition, chapters five and six contain for the most part new and previously unpublished information. Chapter five deals with post marks in the plebiscite territory. Orava and Spiŕ, both during and after the validity of the overprinted stamps. The postmarks are listed by type and include those issued by Poland. railroad postmarks, and postmarks of small postal substations (poŕtovny). Illustrated are also examples of military mail. The various post marks are listed alphabetically and well described. Overprinted stamps used out side the plebiscite territory are covered separately.
Chapter six includes a detailed description of domestic and foreign postage rates of which there were three, representing various time periods. Usages of regular issues. newspaper, postage due and special delivery stamps are described and amply illustrated.
The authors present a novel system for evaluating the value of covers in chapter eight. The system takes into account the value of the best stamp on the cover., the value of the additional stamps, the type of cover (letter, postcard, registered letter,etc.) and adds the three point counts. It then adjusts the result for the franking type (colored, multiple. mixed), then adjusts for franking period and additionally for the location of the mailing. It finally adjusts for overall quality and individual assessment. Point counts for all these factors are listed in tables. The entire system transforms the usual qualitative judgement by collectors into an essential quantitative determination, eliminating the familiar “Liebhaber preiss”- so elusive and questionable in the instance of S.O. covers.
The clarity and overall presentation in this volume demonstrates the results of meticulous research by the authors. The book was exhibited shortly after publication at the PRAGA 98 international stamp show and received a large Vernieil award. The scholarship, excellent graphics and high quality of product ion undoubtedly factored into the high valuation.
The inclusion of some public and one commercial advertisement, such as noted on p.187 represent a minor but unusual distraction in a book of such high caliber. However, it is recognized that the advertiser provided the financial assistance enabling the book to be published.
We heartily recommend this volume to Czech reading collectors/specialists.
Henry Hahn