When speaking of Czechoslovakian stamps, the focus is usually on one of the early designs. Instead I’m going to tackle something that is showcased not so often – the definitive series of 1925/27 displaying portrait of President Masaryk. These contain pretty much all a stamp collector / philatelists can dream of: a reasonable number of different face values, small progressive changes in designs, multiple perforations, different paper types (unwatermarked and watermarked paper, watermark positions, thin and thick paper), multiple re-engravings etc. And the stamps are plenty and cheap. The Masaryk series has all the best bits.

In my opinion, the Masaryk stamps of 1925/27 pose a fun challenge, and they give room to dig in pretty deep if desired. Depending on catalog / source used these have been split to a varying number of series and re-engravings. Personally I’ve made a decision to focus these stamps only on general level and collect only the major series; engravings, perforation varieties and most essential paper differences (watermark/unwatermarked paper) included. What I’m leaving out is the advanced stuff like watermark positions, flyspeck flaws etc. Even on basic level this series has enough challenge for me.

First series of 1925

The first series consists of 3 stamps with face values of 40,50 and 60 Hellers. The first series is also one of the easiest one to identify, as it is the only one that has colored numerals on white background. It is also the only series where the background (of portrait) is of solid color. The laurel branches (on both side of the portrait) point diagonally upward.

The design has two different, but very close to each other perforations. Type A is line perforation 13¾, type B is comb perforation 13¾x13½. These are best identified by looking at the characteristics of perforation types: comb perforation stamps have (almost) identical corner perfs, with line perforated stamps the corners rarely (almost never) match each other.

This series exists only on watermarked paper (multiple positions).

Second series of 1925/26 and re-engravings of 1925/27

The second series, 1925/26, is a prime example how multiple re-engravings can change a stamp design in clear way.

The original engraving (1925)

The original engraving consists of stamps with face values of 1,2,3 and 5 Korona.

Unlike with the first series, the face value and inscriptions are now written in white on colored and line filled background. Also the background (of portrait) is no longer solid, but it is made of colored squares. Also the laurel branches (on both side of portrait) have changed in design, and they point now vertically upward.

These are on watermarked paper (multiple positions), and have line perforation of 13¾.

Second engraving (1925)

The second engraving stamps bears the same design characteristics as the original series, but the stamps are notably smaller (0.5-1mm) in size of design. Stamps with face values of 1,2 and 3 Koruna were re-engraved.

All stamps are on watermarked paper (multiple positions), and have line perforation of 13¾.

Third engraving (1925)

Third engraving contains just one stamp: the most commonly used 1 Koruna stamp.

Stamps from this engraving can be identified by looking at the right top shoulder of President Masaryk. Both the original and second engraving stamps have diagonally crossed lines on top of right shoulder, stamps from the 3rd engraving no longer have these lines.

Third engraving stamps are on watermarked paper (multiple positions), and have line perforation of 13¾ or Stickney perforation of 9¾.

Fourth engraving (1926)

Fourth engraving (1926) brings up yet another progressive change in design: the lined and colored background used behind inscriptions and value shield has been replaced with similar squared background pattern as the portrait background. Also the inscription style has been replaced from serif roman to sans-serif antiqua (causing the word POSTA to be of different length). This engraving consists only of the 3 Koruna brown stamp.

The 3 Koruna third engraving stamp is on watermarked paper (multiple positions), and has a line perforation of 13¾.

Fifth and sixth engraving (1926)

Fifth and sixth engravings apply once again only to commonly used 1 Koruna stamp.

The previous third engraving of 1 Koruna stamp used the colored lines background for value shield and inscriptions, these new engravings move the 1 Koruna stamp to similar squared pattern background as used on 3 Koruna stamp in fourth engraving. Additionally, the horizontal (red) inner frame line just below Masaryk’s portrait was re-touched. If the line is thin, then stamp is from fifth engraving. If the line is thick, then the stamp is from sixth engraving.

Both engravings are on on watermarked paper (multiple positions), and have Stickney perforation of of 9¾.

Retouches of 1927

The 1927 witnessed yet another change to many faces of 1 Koruna stamp in form of minor retouches to existing sixth engraving. These stamp are best identified by the fact that they are on unwatermarked paper whereas all the previous 1 Koruna stamps are on watermarked paper. These stamps have Stickney perforation of of 9¾.

The retouches are divided to two major designs: “long wawy moustache” and “short smoother moustache”. These can be identified by comparing the shape and end location of left side moustache to collar. If the moustache goes over the top of collar, it’s the long moustache variety. If the moustache stops at the top of collar, then it’s short moustache.

The third series of 1926/27

1926/1927 brought up yet another series, that reworked the lower values of 50 and 60 Heller published on the first series. The third series took some parts (squared background all over, sans-serif antiqua inscription style) from the second series stamps, but it also brought up something new in form of revamped value shield frame borders.

On general level, the third series stamps are seemingly easy to identify as they differ notably from the first series counterparts. However, unlike any of the the first and second series stamps, these stamps exist in combination of both watermarked and unwatermarked paper as well as different engravings. See cheatseet below for details.

All these stamps have Stickney perforation of 9¾, additionally 50 Heller stamp exists in coil perf (top and bottom imperf).

The fourth series of 1927

Like the first series, also the final series is very easy to identify. It features the only one stamp – 1 Koruna red. Unlike with all the previous versions of 1 Koruna stamp, this time the laurel branches are pointing diagonally upward. This is the only Koruna stamp with branches in this position.

This stamp has Stickney perforation of of 9¾, and it’s on unwatermarked paper.

Cheatseet

The below cheatsheet attempts to compile all the above information into easy-to-view package:

Closing words

If this entry got you interested of these stamps, here’s a real deal… I’ve got a mixture of 150+ used spares that contains misc values from all 4 series. Drop me a comment / note, and I’m sure we can work out an exchange that is beneficially mutual. This is a one time offer, so first come first served.

Happy summer folks. Now you know what I’ve been doing for the past week or so

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