![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/871px-Hradcany_2-300x248.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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First Republic (1918-1938):<\/h4>\n\n- Established on October 28, 1918, after the end of World War I.<\/li>\n
- The first postage stamps of Czechoslovakia were issued in 1918.<\/li>\n
- Notable stamps include the Hrad\u010dany Issue, depicting Prague Castle, issued in 1920.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Hrad\u010dany Castle stamps portray the iconic castle in Prague, symbolically depicted with the sun rising behind it, signifying the birth of the new state, even though the sun doesn’t actually rise in that position. These stamps, crafted by the renowned graphic designer Alphonse Mucha, an advocate of Art Nouveau residing in Prague, were selected from a pool of more than ten designs. Mucha’s choice of the castle motif was driven by his belief that every nation has its own palladium representing past and future history. He found a powerful interpretation of this symbol in the architectural lines of St. Vitus Cathedral, located near the castle. According to Mucha, there was no other subject more fitting for his design than Hrad\u010dany Castle and the surrounding medieval architecture.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
\nNewspaper Stamps<\/h4>\n
Simultaneously with the issuance of the Hrad\u010dany Castle stamps in 1918, two newspaper stamps, designed by Alphonse Mucha, were introduced in denominations of 2h and 10h. Additional values were introduced over time, including 6h, 20h, and 30h in 1919, followed by 5h, 50h, and 100h in 1920. Various design variations and types exist within these stamps. Notably, the 5h denomination, first released in September 1920, holds the distinction of having the largest number of stamps printed, reaching a staggering 3.6 billion. These stamps underwent overprinting for use in East Silesia in 1920, and in 1934, some were overprinted to qualify for a discounted commercial printed matter rate. Additionally, a 2h stamp was overprinted as 5h to supplement the supply of that denomination.<\/li>\n
\n1920 “Czechoslovakia Breaking Chains to Freedom” issue<\/h4>\n
In the same year, two allegorical sets were released. One depicted a stylized carrier pigeon in six values, often referred to as Dove stamps, while the other featured ten denominations of The Chainbreaker. The latter symbolized the country, portraying a woman breaking free from the chains of bondage. Both sets also come in tete-beche pairs, a result of a booklet printing plate layout suggested by a private company. This company had intended to utilize the gutter for advertising and cover the printing costs. Despite the stamps being printed, the envisioned booklet deal never materialized.<\/li>\n
\n1920-25 “Dove with Letter” issue<\/h4>\n
The Dove stamps symbolized peace and communication.<\/li>\n
\n1923 “Agriculture & Science” issue<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
\nMunich Agreement and Occupation (1938-1945):<\/h4>\n
The Hrad\u010dany Castle stamps portray the iconic castle in Prague, symbolically depicted with the sun rising behind it, signifying the birth of the new state, even though the sun doesn’t actually rise in that position. These stamps, crafted by the renowned graphic designer Alphonse Mucha, an advocate of Art Nouveau residing in Prague, were selected from a pool of more than ten designs. Mucha’s choice of the castle motif was driven by his belief that every nation has its own palladium representing past and future history. He found a powerful interpretation of this symbol in the architectural lines of St. Vitus Cathedral, located near the castle. According to Mucha, there was no other subject more fitting for his design than Hrad\u010dany Castle and the surrounding medieval architecture.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/486px-NespaperStampCzechoslovakia1918Michel13-300x296.jpg\")
\n
Newspaper Stamps<\/h4>\n
Simultaneously with the issuance of the Hrad\u010dany Castle stamps in 1918, two newspaper stamps, designed by Alphonse Mucha, were introduced in denominations of 2h and 10h. Additional values were introduced over time, including 6h, 20h, and 30h in 1919, followed by 5h, 50h, and 100h in 1920. Various design variations and types exist within these stamps. Notably, the 5h denomination, first released in September 1920, holds the distinction of having the largest number of stamps printed, reaching a staggering 3.6 billion. These stamps underwent overprinting for use in East Silesia in 1920, and in 1934, some were overprinted to qualify for a discounted commercial printed matter rate. Additionally, a 2h stamp was overprinted as 5h to supplement the supply of that denomination.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Chainbreaker-261x300.jpg\")
\n
1920 “Czechoslovakia Breaking Chains to Freedom” issue<\/h4>\n
In the same year, two allegorical sets were released. One depicted a stylized carrier pigeon in six values, often referred to as Dove stamps, while the other featured ten denominations of The Chainbreaker. The latter symbolized the country, portraying a woman breaking free from the chains of bondage. Both sets also come in tete-beche pairs, a result of a booklet printing plate layout suggested by a private company. This company had intended to utilize the gutter for advertising and cover the printing costs. Despite the stamps being printed, the envisioned booklet deal never materialized.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/143-249x300.jpg\")
\n
1920-25 “Dove with Letter” issue<\/h4>\n
The Dove stamps symbolized peace and communication.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/174-300x255.jpg\")
\n
1923 “Agriculture & Science” issue<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/BandM-246x300.jpg\")
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/coinstampdb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/498.jpg\")
<\/a><\/li>\n