Postage stamps

Czechoslovak Legion Post · 22 stamps

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Common< 5Low5 – 50Medium50 – 500High500 – 5 000Exceptional5 000 +left column mint, right column used · USD, catalogue

1919

1919 Czechoslovak Legion Post

Watermark: None
Perforation: 11½

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

SW	Type	Value	Colour	Description
1	A	25K	carmine
1A*	A1	25K	carmine	Perf: 13½
1B*	A2	25K	carmine	Imperforated
2	B	50K	yellowish green
2A*	B1	50K	yellowish green	Perf: 13½
2B*	B2	50K	yellowish green	Imperforated
3	C	1R	reddish brown
3A*	C1	1R	reddish brown	Perf: 13½
3B*	C2	1R	reddish brown	Imperforated
1‑3				Set (* Stamp not included in this set)

1919 Coat of Arms

Watermark: None
Perforation: 11½

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

SW	Type	Value	Colour	Mint	Used
4	D	1 R	blue/red

1920

1920 No.4 Overprinted "1920"

Watermark: None

SW	Type	Value	Colour	Mint	Used
5	E	1 R	blue/red

1920 No.5 Surcharged

Watermark: None
Perforation: 11½

SW	Type	Value	Colour
6	F	2/1(K)/ R	blue/red
7	F1	3/1(K)/ R	blue/red
8	F2	5/1(K)/ R	blue/red
9	F3	10/1(K)/ R	blue/red
10	F4	15/1(K)/ R	blue/red
11	F5	25/1(K)/ R	blue/red
12	F6	35/1(K)/ R	blue/red
13	F7	50/1(K)/ R	blue/red
14	F8	1/1 R	blue/red
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