17. 7. 2008

TGM 1923 is coming…….


This time as an attractive reference manual from the pen of Ivana Šárova, in a wholly unconventional author’s conception as well as in the artistic and polygraphic concept. The book is sure to arouse unusual interest and shall become the subject of detailed reviews as well as evaluation as soon as it’s published. Here we are rather pointing out how exceptional it is and heralding its approaching publication.

The contents of the book are directed towards the 1923 Jubilee stamp issue and its additional printing mutations on the occasion of the International Olympic Congress which took place in Prague in 1925 and the VIII Sokol Festival which was held there as well, a year later. A brief prologue by Zdeňek Mahler, well known from TV programs dealing with issues of Masaryk or the St. Vitus Cathedral prompts us at its conclusion to consider the position of philately in our ordinary lives. Thus he induces a calming atmosphere for the reading of the entire book. The introductory chapters are concerned with conception of the stamps from their design (collectively documented by depicting available documents from private collections as well as those from the Postal Museum) to production of the stamps and their issue ( unusually interesting and instructive is the passage offering information dealing with galvano-plastic methods of preparation and production of printing plates). A special chapter had been dedicated to information concerning paper, color, gum, and perforation of the stamps. The data found in various sources of literature have been compiled and arranged in order, which makes it valuable. Fundamental and new is the chapter about printing plate flaws, for the first time published in such an extent and above all compiled so methodically that the flaws which had so far been considered as accidental and described individually, just as an illustration, could be included in work procedures during production of printing plates. Thus they were given a purpose and a philatelistic rank implemented in further stamp issues. The graphic and pictorial work accompanying their description is excellent and exact. Naturally, space is kept for placing further potential findings.

Proof prints are especially interesting for collectors even for those who are not dedicated to classic philately. The chapter which shows their documented overview (actually, it relates to one’s own production and public presentation of stamps.) is supplemented with quality reproductions. Two chapters dedicated to both reprints made on the occasion of the Olympic Congress and the Sokol Festival form another part of the book. They contain a summary of production and publishing character including interesting illustrations. In these chapters attention is given even to the existence of various types of special postmarks and their use during the above -mentioned events. Naturally, the information concerning famous counterfeits causing damage to collectors, presented in the last chapter is also worth your attention.

The Czech text of the book is interconnected with an English as well as German translation making the book accessible to a wider international public. Taking into account its artistic and polygraphic value, it could become a welcome gift.


The book has been published by TOP ART studio, edition of 1500 books. The publication was printed in full color, has 112 pages, more than 90 illustrations and about 30 tables and graphs. The copyreader was the expert Mr. Zdeněk Nygrýn. Author of graphic layout is Academic Artist Marek Jodas, translation into English and German was done by Mgr. Václava Brodská and Paula Schultz. Because of its unique conception the book shall find its spot not only in philately libraries where it well deserves to be.

Ing. Pavel PITTERMANN, A.I.E. P., A.I.J.P


English page coming soon >>>>> http://www.japhila.cz/tgm/