Postage stamps

The field-post stamps of the Czechoslovak Legion in Siberia were designed in September 1919 by the legionaries E. Číla and J. Malý; of five motifs three were used. The 25 kopeck with the Irkutsk basilica was for postcards, the 50 kopeck with the armoured train Orlík for letters, and the 1 rouble with a legionary for mail home to Czechoslovakia. They were lithographed in December 1919 by Makushin & Posokhin in Irkutsk, both imperforate and line-perforated 11½, on gummed paper; imperforate copies also exist without gum.

Sources: Stamp Encyclopedia: Czech Legion, EWorldStamps: Czechoslovak Legion Post in Siberia

The charity stamp with the little lion – the Czech coat of arms – inscribed 'Pošta československé armády sibiřské' was designed by Lieutenant J. Rybák. It was embossed and printed in at least three runs: the first in Prague, part of which was shipped to Russia in November 1919, the second reportedly from the original die in Vladivostok, and the third only in 1922 as a reprint for collectors. In 1920 it was overprinted in Russia with the year 1920 and later also with nine new values in green. It had no official status and genuine postal use has never been convincingly documented; collectors nevertheless seek it out, and it is widely forged.

Sources: Burda Auction: Známky polní pošty, Stamp Encyclopedia: Czech Legion