Hello, everyone!
In Part 1, I introduced stamps that Alfons Maria Mucha (1860–1939) designed himself. Today, I’ll be exploring stamps that feature his artwork and portrait as their motif!
Czechoslovak Stamps After Mucha
First, a brief look back at Czechoslovak stamps. Mucha designed stamps for the newly founded Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1920, after which existing designs were simply overprinted with new face values. No stamps were issued by Czechoslovakia from 1940 to 1944.
Stamp production resumed in 1945, with portraits of presidents and prominent figures, as well as simpler designs. Two particularly notable artists contributed stamps during this era: Max Švabinšký (1873–1962) and Karel Svolinsky (1896–1976).
In Czechoslovak stamps, the artist’s name is printed in the lower left corner when the design is based on an original painting. Karel Svolinsky sometimes even worked his name directly into the design itself.
Stamps Featuring Mucha’s Works
Czechoslovakia, 1958 — Stamp Day, 40th Anniversary
On December 18, 1958 — exactly forty years after Mucha’s first stamps were issued — this commemorative stamp was released.
Stamp Day is observed in Czechoslovakia with the same reverence as Independence Day. The design, by Max Švabinšký, shows “Slavia” — the personification of Slavic ideals as a woman — gazing up at Mucha’s painting of Prague Castle. Slavia is a recurring figure in Mucha’s work, representing the aspirations of the Slavic people.
Czechoslovakia, 1960 — 100th Anniversary of Alfons Mucha’s Birth
On December 18, 1960 — Stamp Day — a stamp bearing Mucha’s own portrait was issued to mark the centenary of his birth. This is also a work by Max Švabinšký.
Czechoslovakia, 1968 — Art Stamp: Alfons Mucha
This stamp treats Mucha’s work as fine art. Issued November 29, 1968, it is one of a set of five art stamps. The motif is Princess Hyacinth (1911).
Czechoslovakia, 1968 — Stamp Day, 50th Anniversary
The 50th anniversary of the country’s independence and its first stamps is marked by two Prague Castle designs arranged together.
Czechoslovakia, 1969 — Alfons Mucha
On July 14, 1969 — the 30th anniversary of Mucha’s death — a set of four stamps was issued, each featuring one of his artworks. The designs draw from two lithographic series: The Four Precious Stones (1900) and The Four Arts (1899).
The large stamp at upper right comes from The Four Precious Stones — specifically “Ruby” and “Amethyst.” The Four Arts — Dance, Painting, Poetry, and Music — are depicted across three stamps: Dance (upper right), Painting (lower right), and Music (lower left). The stamps credit J. Svengsir as the original artwork designer, giving them a slightly different feel from Mucha’s original lithographs.
Czechoslovakia, 1978 — Stamp Day, 60th Anniversary
To mark 60 years of Czechoslovak stamp issuance, this stamp pairs Prague Castle with what feels more like a charming caricature of Mucha than a formal portrait. It has a wonderfully casual feel!
Czechoslovakia, 1988 — Prague International Stamp Exhibition
1988 marked 70 years of Stamp Day. That year, a miniature sheet was issued on August 18 as a commemorative for PRAGA (the Prague International Stamp Exhibition).
Czechoslovakia, 1990 — Art Stamp: Alfons Mucha
In 1990, a stamp depicting The Slav Epic was issued as one of a set of four art stamps. The motif is “The Slavs in Their Original Homeland.”
Czech Republic, 1995 — Traditions of Czech Stamp Production
On January 20, 1995, as part of the Traditions of Czech Stamp Production series, a stamp featuring Mucha’s 1918 newspaper stamp design was issued.
Following the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechoslovakia held multi-party free elections in 1990. On January 1, 1993, it peacefully separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Czech Republic, 2000 — Alfons Mucha: Brunette
Issued November 15, 2000, this stamp features Byzantine Heads (Brunette) (1897).
The composition and colors are simply beautiful. This was one of the first stamps I stocked at Postio Marche when we opened, and it holds a special place in my memory. It sold out quickly — I would love to find it again someday!
Czech Republic, 2010 — 150th Anniversary of Alfons Mucha’s Birth
In 2010, the Czech Republic issued its first self-adhesive (peel-and-stick) stamps in two formats. The first is a booklet containing six copies of Gismonda (1894).
The beloved Zodiac (1896) was also issued as a self-adhesive stamp.
Austria, 2010 — 150th Anniversary of Alfons Mucha’s Birth
2010 saw commemorative stamps from several countries marking Mucha’s 150th birth anniversary. Austria has a special connection to Mucha — he began his career there. Their stamp beautifully reproduces Zodiac (1896).
Bulgaria, 2010 — 150th Anniversary of Alfons Mucha’s Birth
Bulgaria issued a miniature sheet for the occasion.
Slovakia, 2015 — Alfons Mucha
The motif is a decorative painting above the restaurant entrance at the Ensana Thermia Palace, a luxury hotel in Piešt’any, Slovakia — titled “Hail Blessed Source of Health.”
The painting has been described as expressing gratitude and respect for those who care for patients at the spa.
Slovakia, 2018 — Stamp Day: Alfons Mucha
A commemorative stamp for the 100th anniversary of that very first stamp issuance in 1918. After separating from Czechoslovakia, Slovakia also observes December 18 as its stamp anniversary — just like the Czech Republic. The design pairs Bratislava Castle with a photograph of Mucha.
The FDC features Mucha rendered in perforations — a delightful touch!
Czech Republic, 2018 — Prague
Issued February 21, 2018, this stamp was released as a commemorative for the international stamp exhibition PRAGA (Prague).
Czech Republic, 2020 — Stamp Day
Looking at this stamp, you can clearly see just what Mucha’s original “Prague Castle” design looked like — brought back to life with modern printing technology.
Here is the original “Prague Castle” stamp from 1918:
France, 2023 — Art Stamp: Alfons Mucha
France releases art stamps every year — and this is, perhaps surprisingly, the very first time Mucha has been featured. The motif is Rêverie (“Daydream,” 1897).
The nine-stamp sheet carries Mucha imagery in the margins as well. France also produces a “document” for the stamp — it would look wonderful framed!
A document is a philatelic item published by the postal authority, printed on special intaglio paper. It combines the stamp and a first-day cancellation with a monochrome intaglio proof, along with related artwork and descriptive text.
Monaco, 2024 — Monacophil Miniature Sheet
The motif is Mucha’s 1897 poster for the Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée railway. The lower right reads: “De luxe train from Paris to Monte-Carlo — a 16-hour journey.”
Here is the original poster:
The colors are richer and more saturated than the original poster — perhaps to harmonize with the gold tones of the sheet.
Czech Republic, 2025 — Osaka–Kansai Expo Miniature Sheet
A stamp sheet featuring Mucha’s The Four Seasons (1896).
The Four Seasons was the first decorative panel Mucha ever created, and it is held in the collection of Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. This stamp was issued to commemorate the World Exposition held in Osaka.
The FDC features the Prague Castle stamp that Mucha designed in 1918–1919.
Summary
I’ve introduced stamps related to Alfons Mucha issued primarily by Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, along with several other European countries. I plan to keep adding to my Mucha stamp collection — please do come back and visit!
♪ Come visit Postio Marche to find stamps featuring Mucha and other great artists!
