Czech Republic — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Česká pošta (Czech Post) is the Czech Republic’s national postal operator, a state-owned enterprise headquartered in Prague. Czech philately has two distinct periods: the stamps of Czechoslovakia (1918–1992), which are among Central Europe’s most admired, and the stamps of the independent Czech Republic (1993–present) following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The ZS (Specializovaný katalog česko-slovenských známek) catalogue covers both periods.

Notable Stamp Issues

Czechoslovakia’s first stamps, the Hradčany Castle issues of 1918–1919 designed by Alfons Mucha, are among the most beautiful inaugural stamps of any nation — Mucha’s Art Nouveau influence is unmistakable. The 1919 Chainbreaker issues by Max Švabinský followed. Czechoslovakia produced outstanding stamps through the interwar period (1918–1938), during the Nazi Protectorate (1939–1945), and the Communist era (1948–1989). The 1993 Czech Republic first issues featured traditional Bohemian themes. Modern Czech stamps maintain high engraving quality.

Collecting Tips

Czechoslovakia (1918–1992) stamps require separate cataloguing from Czech Republic (1993–present). Slovak Republic stamps (1939–1945 and 1993–present) are collected separately. The 1919 Mucha designs are among philately’s great Art Nouveau items. Czech and Slovak stamps from the Communist era (1948–1989) include many topically interesting issues. The Pofis (Czech philatelic service) publishes detailed current catalogues. Czechoslovak definitives have many paper and perforation varieties worth studying.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.