Interkosmos space program stamp series (1970)

13/09/2011 – Czechoslovak stamp series designed by Jaroslav Lukavský in 1970 for the Interkosmos space program. (more…)

‘Best builders of socialism’ matchbox label series (1960)

18/04/11 – Czechoslovak matchbox label series promoting the election of socialist leaders. Series features illustrations of men and women from a wide variety of occupations (teachers, scientists, farmers, etc.) with the slogan (roughly translated): “[Elect] the best builders of socialism to represent the people.” (more…)

Traditional Czechoslovak Easter egg designs (1963)

02/04/11 – Czechoslovak matchbox label series featuring traditional folk art. Series consists of eleven labels depicting hand-painted Easter egg designs. Labels printed for the Solo matchworks in Lipnik, Czechoslovakia in 1963. (more…)

Series of WWII Czechoslovak military heroes (1945)

30/03/11 – Stamp series dedicated to the Czechoslovak military heroes of World War 2. Series dates from 1945 and consists of 16 unique denominations. (more…)

Animal illustrations from the Prague Zoo (1963)

13/03/11 – Matchbox label series featuring animals from the Prague zoo. Printed by the Solo matchworks in Lipník, Czechoslovakia, 1963. (more…)

Czechoslovak independence series by J. Schmidt (1945-7)

24/02/11 – Sixteen-part postage stamp series commemorating three key figures of the Czechoslovak independence movement: Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Edvard Beneš and Milan Rastislav Štefánik. (more…)

Czechoslovak folk architecture series (1961)

14/02/11 – Series of twenty matchbox labels featuring Czechoslovak folk architecture. Printed in 1961 by the Solo matchworks company. (more…)

Czechoslovak first day covers, a selection

10/02/11 – Selection of Czechoslovak first day covers (FDCs). Typically, FDCs are special issue envelopes promoting the release of a new stamp or stamp series. They feature a unique post mark (cancel) indicating date of issue, and artwork, called a ‘cachet.’ This small selection dates from 1968-71 and all cachets are engravings. (more…)

Czechoslovak aircraft stamp series by J. Lukavsky (1967)

01/12/10 – Series of postage stamp designs by Jaroslav Lukavsky featuring Czechoslovak aircraft. Engraved by Josef Herčík in 1967. (more…)

1962 Czechoslovak Summer Spartakiad graphics

11/11/10 – Set of Czechoslovak matchbox labels commemorating the 2nd Summer Spartakiad of Allied Armies in 1962. (more…)

More Czech National Spartakiad competition graphics

24/08/10 – Series of matchbox labels produced by the Solo match factory in Lipnik, Czechoslovakia, on the occasion of the 1960 National Spartakiad. The text, “Nacvicujte s nami,” roughly translates as: “Train with us.” (more…)

Czech National Spartakiad sports competition graphics

30/07/10 – National Spartakiad matchbox label designs from Czechoslovakia circa 1959. The Spartakiads were mass sporting competitions created by the Soviet Union originally meant as an alternative to the Olympic movement. Competitions took place both in the summer and winter months and brought together competitors on regional, national and international levels. (more…)

Czech stamp series designed by J. Lukavsky (1971-2)

19/07/10 – Series of 13 postage stamps from Czechoslovakia designed by Jaroslav Lukavsky featuring traditional Czech and Slovak folk motifs and architecture. (more…)

Czechoslovak Red Cross matchbox label series (1959)

16/07/10 – Matchbox label series from 1959 for the Czechoslovak Red Cross. Messages include such wise adages as: “Alcoholism ruins society.” “Play safe!” “Keep your town clean.” and “Respiratory exams catch TB early.” (more…)

Czech stamp series designed by Ivan Strnad (1972)

5/07/10 – Series of twelve stamps with floral motifs issued in 1972 in Czechoslovakia. Original artwork by Ivan Strnad translated into postage stamp format by well known engravers Josef Hercik and Miloš Ondráček. (more…)

Arizona desert postcards of the 1930s & 1940s

18/06/10 – Small selection of desert-themed postcards from the 1930s and 1940s. All feature the Arizona desert, have a ‘linen-finish’ and are marked: ‘C.T. Art Colortone’. Postcard pictured above entitled: The Painted Desert, Arizona [P.D. 29] (more…)

Matchbox label set from Czechoslovakia (1968)

26/05/10 – Series of matchbox labels advertising hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes in Prague, Czechoslovakia produced in 1968 by the Solo match factory in Susice. (more…)

Calendar illustrations by Czech artist Josef Lada

08/02/08 – Josef Lada’s calendar illustrations from the 1940s featuring traditional Czech occupations, pastimes and holiday scenes. (Unfortunately, February is missing.) (more…)

Oliver Tomas

Design historian and archivist based in Vancouver, Canada.
info[at]olivertomas[dot]com