Hello! In this second post on Karel Svolinský’s stamp designs, I’d like to introduce his folk costume stamps — some of the most distinctive of all his work.
For Karel Svolinský’s profile, please see this post:
👉 Karel Svolinský’s Stamp Designs, Vol. 1
Svolinský’s Folk Costume Stamps
Czechoslovakia, 1955 — Folk Costumes (4)
Karel Svolinský, who worked as an illustrator & stage designer, first created artwork for a stamp in 1947: “5th Anniversary of Lidice.”
After that, he worked on portrait stamps, a common theme for commemoratives at the time.
Around 1954 his style became softer, and from 1955, folk costume stamps were issued three years in a row as part of a folk art series.
These show the folk costumes of Očová, Chodsko, Haná and Detva.
The original artwork for the 1955 stamps can still be seen.
Based on this artwork, the stamps were engraved by Jindra Schmidt (1897–1984), with whom Svolinský often worked.
On these stamps, Jindra Schmidt’s name appears next to Svolinský’s.
Czechoslovakia, 1956 — Folk Costumes (4)
The 1956 set shows four women in gentle colors.
They feature folk costumes from Čičmany, Slovakia and Bohemia.
Czechoslovakia, 1957 — Folk Costumes (4)
You can see that the ornament to the left of the face value has become even more intricate.
1966 — The Bartered Bride, Imperforate
The Bartered Bride, composed by Bedřich Smetana, is the quintessential Czech opera. It premiered on May 30, 1866.
The title may not suggest it, but it is a cheerful story with a happy ending.
The centenary stamp was issued as an imperforate souvenir sheet — that is, without perforations.
Svolinský’s sensibility comes through even in the design of the first day cover and its postmark.
1975 — Folk Traditions (4)
These richly colored stamps are notable for their large format.
Compared with a standard-size stamp of the time, “60th Anniversary of the Moravian Teachers’ Choir” (1963), you can see the difference.
1977 — Prague (4)
The ornate headdresses & the women’s expressions are lovely — these stamps always put me at ease.
This one was not designed for a stamp: it is based on a book illustration and was issued as part of an art stamp series.
It is Bridesmaid, painted in 1956.
Karel Svolinský was recognized not only as an illustrator & stamp designer, but also as a painter.
Český rok (The Czech Year)
Český rok is a series of books published from 1947 to 1960.
It carefully illustrates Czechoslovak customs season by season.
I believe this work influenced his stamp designs.
Still fresh after some 70 years — next time, I’ll introduce Karel Svolinský’s flower stamps!
👉 Karel Svolinský’s Stamp Designs, Vol. 3: Flower Stamps
Postio Marche, my online shop for foreign stamps, carries stamps from Czechoslovakia & around the world — please take a look.
Some of the stamps shown are from a private collection. Items available for purchase are those listed in the shop only.
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