Hello! In this third post on Karel Svolinský’s stamp designs, I’d like to introduce his flower stamps — some of the most popular of all his work.
For Karel Svolinský’s profile, please see this post:
👉 Karel Svolinský’s Stamp Designs, Vol. 1
Flower Stamps Designed by Svolinský
Czechoslovakia, 1960 — Flowers (6)
After portrait stamps and stamps on folk traditions, Svolinský’s first series of flower stamps* was issued in 1960.
The illustrations show thistle, cyclamen, primrose, sempervivum, gentian & pasque flower.
In 1963 he illustrated a book called Wild Flowers, and its style matches the 1960 stamps.
* One of the 1957 “15th Anniversary of Lidice” stamps also features a rose.
Czechoslovakia, 1964 — Flowers (6)
The vertical typography seen on these flower stamps would become one of the hallmarks of Svolinský’s charm.
The illustrations show creeping bellflower, musk thistle, chicory, yellow iris, gentian & corn poppy.
Czechoslovakia, 1965 — Medicinal Plants (7)
Issued the following year, in 1965, this set of seven links the flower illustrations & typography so beautifully that I never tire of looking at it.
The theme is herbs that have long been used as medicine in Europe.
The illustrations show autumn crocus, mountain arnica, field poppy, dog rose, cornflower, coltsfoot & purple foxglove.
Czechoslovakia, 1973 — Flora Olomouc Flower Show (7)
The 1973 flower stamps come in a set of two different sizes.
The illustrations show iris, flamingo flower (anthurium), boat orchid (cymbidium), tulip, rose & chrysanthemum.
Czechoslovakia, 1979 — Mountain Rescue Service (5)
Svolinský designed these stamps in 1979, at the age of 83.
They are the small size common for Czechoslovak stamps at the time, yet each holds lively typography, a flower illustration and the mountain rescue message.
The illustrations show mountain bellflower, crocus, pinks, alpine hawkweed & larkspur.
How Svolinský Drew Flowers
I compared how he drew flowers of the daisy family.
It reveals the hallmarks of Svolinský’s flower stamp designs:
• Drawn in a vertical format
• The flower is shown together with its stem & leaves
• The lettering follows the line of the stem
• Colors that recreate the look of a botanical illustration
I think he took traditional botanical illustration as his foundation, added Art Nouveau elements, and gradually perfected his own style.
By combining designed typography with flowers, Karel Svolinský created flower stamps full of charm.
In a future post, I’ll introduce some of Svolinský’s lesser-known, surprising stamp designs.
You can also read Vol. 2 on his folk costume stamps, and my post on his contemporary Mirko Hanák:
👉 Karel Svolinský’s Stamp Designs, Vol. 2: Folk Costumes
👉 Mirko Hanák: The World of His Picture Books and 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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