I had too much fun with the Slovensko 2021 stamp program
Buckle up and prepare for the WONDERFUL Slovensko 2021 stamp program. No one should have this much fun researching stamps. But damn, Slovensko proved to be immensely entertaining. Finding info was so enjoyable, I kind of got carried away … again. Yea, I know, this is a re-occurring theme with me, but I love writing about stamps and Slovensko’s artists are amazing. Hope you enjoy reading about the stamps as much as I did writing about them. I was so excited about the artists, I’ve already laid out the 2022 article and set up the 2023 program page. I’ll be posting them within the next week or two.
A quick note: for consistency sake, I’ve tried to use Slovensko rather than Slovakia throughout the article. I get easily confused when writing so I try not to switch between spellings and translations. All my bookmarks say Slovensko and most of my resources are in Slovak, so it was just easier to use Slovensko.
I’d love to take a trip to Slovensko and do an “extreme philately tour”. Extreme philately is kind of like a Philately Selfie – find the site or object and take a photo of both the site and the stamp in one shot. They would be great souvenirs.
The 2021 program starts with a 3 stamp set exploring glassware from 3 historical periods and ends with the traditional Stamp Week issue. And lots of fun in between. I found a plethora of info on the artists and designers, some of which I’ve held back for the 2022 program. You’ll notice Slovensko uses a lot of traditional engraving techniques for their covers and some stamps. They remind me of France’s passionate affair with engraving. So much so, I’ve now added Slovensko’s artists to my engravers database. They have created some gorgeous works of art. As much as I like the 2021 program, I think the 2022 one is stronger, especially for engraving. Here’s a sneak peak:
These exquisitely detailed images are from two FDCs – The first the150th anniversary of the establishment of ŽOS ZvolenF and the second is from the 100th anniversary of the Zemská firefighting unity in Slovensko . Both are from the skilled hands of Jozef Česla. Stick around Bitter Grounds and you’ll become very familiar with his works. He ranks up there with some of the best engravers, including my favourite Elsa Catelin from France. His mastery of the fine details in each image is stunning. Then again, the first image is of an old engine, so that automatically excites me. Some days it’s so fun being a geek!
But that’s for 2022. I relied quite heavily on the Slovensko post office for information. You’ll find quite a few quotes from their writeups, which are often highly detailed. I have a lot of love for their post office.
And finally, cancels. Slovensko now moves into the rarified territory of Japan, France and Peru for the quality of their cancels. They produce very detailed and beautifully rendered post marks. I haven’t listed all of them yet. I found a full page of cancels for the 2021 year and I haven’t quite sorted out how they fit. I suspect some of them are like special commemoratives issued without FDCs, but I’m still working my way through the information. When I am happy I have the details correct, I’ll add them on. For any cancel hound out there, it’s worth the wait. Lots to hunt down.
Enjoy Slovensko. One day I’ll get there for a visit. I’ll find a café to try out a smoky pint of Pivovar Stupavar and wait for you to join me for a long conversation about stamps. And to answer your question, yes, I’ve already investigated the beers, wines and food from the area.
Cheers
Catpaw
January
Glassware from Slovensko
Series: applied arts
3 stamps, 3 FDCs, 3 cancels
offset with serigraphy
Roman glass from Zohor
Zohor is a village in western Slovakia (in Bratislava). Roman occupation of the region date back as far a 1 CE.
Gothic cup with stickers from Bratislava
PAMÁTKY ARCHEOLOGICKÉ CVII, 2016
Zlatá Zuzana from Zlatno glassworks
Zlatá Zuzana – Golden Susan – is a style of champagne glasses designed in 1956 by Jozef Staník (1908–1986).
The whole set of glasses for different types of alcohol was named after the wife of the first customer from Canada. Glasses of different sizes and colours had one common character – three golden balls on the glass stem. From 50s to 70s, around 5 milion of glasses were exported all around the world from the Zlatno glassworks. Champagne Glasses “Zlatá Zuzana” – Renové (renove.sk)
The Zlatno glassworks was founded in 1833, and specialised in luxury glass items. It closed it’s doors, in 2003, after 170 years
Designer: Peter Nosáľ
Release date: January 4, 2021
Ladislav Grosman (1921 – 1981)
Series: personalities
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Author and screenwriter. Grosman’s movie adaption of his novel The Shop on Main Street (Obchod na korze) won the 1966 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Picture.
He wrote fiction, drew his themes from his native land and the life of small people of the Jewish community. He deeply felt their tragic fate and captured the features of their way of life. Prof. PhDr. Miloš Mistrík, DrSc.
Grosman was born in Humenné, Slovakia. During WWII he was sent to a forced labour camp. Having survived 2 years in the camp, he eventually moved to Prague, where he earned his doctorate in psychology. While living in Prague, he began writing. When the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia began, Grosman, and his family fled to Israel. There he took up a position at the Bar-Ilan University, teaching and writing until his death in 1981.
In an interesting side note, when Grosman died, his wife Edita Grosman moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where her son lived. She lived here in Toronto until her death in 2020, at the age of 92. In 2017, she returned to Slovakia to retrace her journey from her hometown Humenné to Auschwitz. You can read about Edita here: ‘I will never be free of it’: Auschwitz survivor recalls horror 75 years on | Second world war | The Guardian.
“It has been a life of fighting against the fear,” she says. “To have spent so many years where every second you have been in a state of danger, it stays with you and it’s so big.
“I dream about it, I speak about it, I read everything I can about it, and I know I will never be free of it.”
Edita Grosman 2017
Designer: Natália Ložeková
Ložeková is an outstanding portrait artist and political caricaturist. You can see samples of her extensive portfolio on her website (see link above). Her work also includes illustrating books, and creating ads. She is also an avid lover of dogs and co-founded OZ Priateľ Pes, a haven that rescues abused and abandoned dogs. Oh and this is her first stamp design! Ložeková returned to stamp design duties in 2022 with her second Personalities stamp Lyudmila Podjavorinská.
Release date: January 29, 2021
February
100th Anniversary of the Consecration of the First Slovak Bishops
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
The ordination of the Slovak bishops took place in the Church of St. Ladislav in Nitra on Sunday, 13th February 1921. It was of historic significance and highly ceremonial. The primary ordainer was the apostolic nuncio to the Czechoslovak Republic, Archbishop Clemente Micara, who was assisted by the Auxiliary Bishop of Hradec Králové, Karol Kašpar and the Auxiliary Bishop of Prague, Antonín Podlaha. In addition to representatives of the church, the ceremony was attended by representatives of the state and cultural and social organisations from the whole of the republic. After the ordination several thousand Slovaks gathered in the streets of Nitra to accompany the blessed bishops from the Church of St. Ladislav (Piarist) to the castle, to the ancient cathedral. POFIS – Catalog – Products – The 100th Anniversary of the Ordination of the First Slovak Bishops
Designer: Martin Schwarz
This is Schwarz’s first design for Slovensko post.
Release date: February 12, 2021
30th anniversary of the founding of the Visegrád Group
Joint edition with Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
The Visegrád Group members are the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic
Designer: Agnieszka Sobczynska / Worldwide Graphic Designers
Previous designs by this Polish designer include 2020’s 42nd anniversary of John Paul II’s election, and 2018’s 550th anniversary of the Polish parliamentary system, 2012 Christmas, 2005 H.Ch. Anderson. This is the only stamp she has designed for Slovensko. All 4 stamps in this joint issue were designed by Sobczynska.
Release date: February 15, 2021
March
Easter 2021: Folk Faience
1 stamp, booklet of 10, FDC, cancel,
Faience is a tin glazed pottery.
Folk faience took root in Slovensko during the 18th century thanks to the sect of neo-Baptists – Habanas. The secrets of making bright painted ceramics were learned by habanas during their move around the countries of Europe. Habana’s ceramic workshops, known for their strict colorfulness and ornamentation, have been incorporated into domestic ceramics producers by the disintegration of the traditional way of life of their owners. …
Slovak folk faience was influenced by the home environment, which determined its shapes and ornamentation. On ceramic vessels, variegated plant, zoomorphic and figural motifs appeared in various variations. Among the well-known centers of ceramic production was Modra. In 1883, a ceramics-industrial school was founded in Modra, later the largest ceramics factory in Slovakia. The workshop raised many outstanding ceramics, among which was the ceramics painter Heřman Landsfeld. POFIS – Catalog – Products – Easter 2021: Folk faience
Designer: Adrian Ferda
As of the 2022, Ferda has designed 20 stamps and 30 pre-stamped cards. Ferda also illustrates posters, logos, books and more.
Release date: March 5, 2021
100th anniversary of the founding of the Slovak Teachers’ Choir
2 cancels, stamp, FDC, commemorative letter
Home of the Singing Choir of Slovak Teachers | Trenčín región (trencinregion.sk)
Designer: Daniela Olejníková
This is Olejníková’s second stamp design. A graduate of the Department of Printmaking of Academy of Fine Arts in Batislava, Daniela has illustrated over 20 books, including How Flamingo Goes Dating.
Release date: March 13, 2021
April
XXXII Summer Olympics in Tokyo
Series: sports
1 stamp, FDC, 2 cancels, sticker sheet
Designer: Nana Furiya
This is the only stamp set designed for Slovensko by this artist. Born in Japan, Furiya now makes her home in Slovensko, where she studied lithography at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava. She is best known as a writer and illustrator of children’s books. To date she has illustrated approx. 60 books.
Release date: April 14, 2021
100th Anniversary of the Birth of Štefan Roman
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, commemorative letter
Slovak born Roman emigrated to Canada in 1937 and went on to become a major figure in the mining and financial industries here, which is why there is a maple leaf on the FDC. The Canadian Encyclopedia has a pretty good entry on him. Stephen Boleslav Roman | The Canadian Encyclopedia
Designer: Karol Felix
“I listen to what the picture tells me and let it guide me” KAROL FELIX | graphic designer painter ex libris signs cabinet clones.
Felix began designing stamps for Czechslovakia Post. With the separation of the country, he began designing stamps for Slovensko. If you have a Facebook account, he maintains an active feed (20) Karol Felix Paintings and Graphics | Facebook.
Artist FDC: Rudolf Cigánik
Cigánik has illustrated and/or engraved dozens of stamps for Slovensko. He is a member of Union of Visual Arts of Slovakia.
“Artists are people who spontaneously get it out of themselves and have been looking for such a narrative language for years.” Rudolf Cigánik 2015 interview
Release date: April 16, 2021
1900th Anniversary of the Birth of Marcus Aurelius
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, commemorative letter
offset and Flat plate steel printing
You can read about Marcus Aurelius’ connection to Slovensko here Marcus Aurelius started writing famous Calls to Each Other in Slovakia – Bratislava SME
Designer: Karol Felix
Engraver: František Horniak
In 2016, the Postal Museum of Czech Republic featured Horniak’s works with a show – František Horniak – 60 best engravings. He began working with the Czechoslovakian post in 1981. As of 1991, he has worked for Slovensko post. He ranks among the best engravers in the postal world.
He co-wrote World of Stamps – April 28 2013, an illustrated book featuring 1,000 reproductions of his steel stamp engravings.
Awards include: Most Beautiful Stamp at the Grand Prix de l’Exposition WIPA Vienna 2003, Grand Prix de l’Exposition WIPA Vienna 2003 featuring the Bratislava Castle.
Release date: April 26, 2021
May
EUROPA 2021: Grouse (Western Capercaillie)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, booklet, maxi card
offset
Designer: Kamila Štanclová
kads.new york produced an interesting write up of Štanclová. She is a multi award winning book illustrator.
“When working on an etching, I draw directly on the plate without using any previous sketches. I work on a single plate for a longer period, it serves as a kind of diary.“ Kamila Štanclová
There are a number of interviews with Kamila on YouTube. Unfortunately, they are not subtitled. However, they do give a good over view of her artwork. Even if you don’t speak the language, the video below is worth watching to get a feel for her artistic senses.
FDC engraver: František Horniak
Release date: May 7, 2021
150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Observatory in Hurbanovo
1 stamp, FDC,2 cancel,
offset
TV 7 had a substantial write up on this set. 150th anniversary of the founding of the observatory (tv7.sk). You’ll need a translator to read the page, but worth the effort. It has all sorts of extra tidbits about the design.
The following information is from the TV 7 article (link above):
The stamp shows a image of the observatory.
Details on the commemorative letter include a 19th century “stylized scheme of a solar system”.
The FDC image shows both the solar system and the portrait of the observatory’s founder Mikuláš Thege Konkoly.
The observatory in Hurbanovo (until 1947 Stará Ďala, Hungarian Ógyalla) can be considered the cradle of modern astronomy originally in the former Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia. It was founded by Dr. Mikuláš Thege Konkoly in 1871 as a private observatory.
The Slovak Academy of Science has an good bio on Konkoly-Thege and the observatory Konkoly-Thege, Nicholas | Encyclopaedia Beliana – Slovak General Encyclopedia (sav.sk)
Designer: Vladislav Rostoka
Rostoka is a prolific, award wining graphic designer. He has designed and illustrated over “400 posters, 250 logotypes and 1000 books and catalogs” as well as over 50 stamps & FDCs. Vladislav Rostoka — Slovak Design Center (scd.sk)
Release date: May 21, 2021
June
Saltworks in Prešov
Series: technical monuments
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
offset and Flat plate steel printing
Solivar in Prešov | Museums and history Prešov | KamNaVylet.sk
If you’re like me and enjoy poking around the history of technology, don’t miss STM | History (stm-ke.sk), Slovensko’s Technical Museum website.
Poland and Croatia put out a joint issue (2021) on their historic saltworks – Solana Ston salt flats and Bochnia Salt Mine.
Designer: Jozef Česla
Česla has created or engraved 16+ stamps sets.
Release date: June 11, 2021
Demänovská Cave of Freedom / Demänovská jaskyňa slobody – Studničkár Tatranský
Series: nature protection
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset and Flat plate steel printing
The Demänovská Cave was discovered in 1921. It’s part of an extensive cave system in the Low Tatra mountains in the Demänovská valley.
It requires some physical strength to visit the caves, as you have to climb a bit to reach the entrance that is located at a height and then go up and down within the cave on a path that is roughly 2 km and involves 900 steps. It gets very dark and humid inside the caves and it is better to be prepared for it. Demänovská Cave of Freedom (indiatimes.com)
Demänovská Cave of Freedom (ssj.sk) (multiple language translations are available)
Designer: Igor Piačka
Multi award winning artist for both his stamps and book illustrations.
Engraver: Rudolf Cigánik
Release date: June 30, 2021
July
150th anniversary of the independence of forestry from mining (1871)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Peter Augustovich
Peter Augustovič | ROMAN FECIK GALLERY
Release date: July 1, 2021
August
100th anniversary of the JAMES Mountaineering Association
Series: sports
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
offset and serigraphy
james.sk – their website is also available in English. The club was founded 1921 by Mikuláš Mlynárčik, Gusto Nedobrý and Fero Lipták.
Designer: Štefan Papčo
This is his first stamp design for Slovensko post.
Release date: August 8, 2021
September
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava 2021
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
offset
The Biennial is an an international competition for children’s book illustrators. 28TH BIENNIAL OF ILLUSTRATIONS BRATISLAVA – PROGRAM | bibiana.sk The first BIB was held in 1967.
The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) is one of the oldest international honours for children’s book illustrators. First granted in 1967 to Yasuo Segawa (Japan), it is one of the more prestigious children’s book awards today, along with the Hans Christian Andersen Awards. From the very beginning, BIB has been held under the auspices of UNESCO and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Slovakia. The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) | IBBY
The 2021 Grand Prix award went to Basque illustrator Elena Odriozola for book Mixed Feelings (Sentimientos encontrados).
Designer: Vladislav Rostoka
Artist: Hassan Moosavi
This is Hassan’s first stamp for Slovensko. He is known for his children’s book illustrations (40+) About – Hasan Mousavi
Release date: September 3, 2021
Pope Francis’ visit to Slovakia
1 stamp, 2 FDCs, cancel,
offset
Designer: Peter Nosáľ
Release date: September 10, 2021
Calvary in Banská Štiavnica
Series: beauties of our homeland
1 stamp, FDC, cancel,
offset and Flat plate steel printing
Calvary in Banská Štiavnica is a baroque castle.
The Banská Štiavnica Calvary is a complex of sacral objects in the Baroque style, consisting of three churches, nineteen chapels and a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, and with its location on a hill in the middle of the Štiavnica volcano, it is the dominant feature of Banská Štiavnica. Introduction – Kalvaria.org
Designer: Prof. Dušan Kállay
Artist Dusan Kallay | KADS New York (kadsny.com) Kállay is a legend in Slovensko art and design. He has been Professor of Printmaking teaching printmaking and illustration since 1994 and has a profound effect on an entire generation of illustrators in Slovensko, including many who have appeared on this page.
He has illustrated nearly 100 books. Among the 46 prizes he has won is the 2002 Most Beautiful Stamp of the World (WIPA International Exhibition Vienna, Austria) for his History of Postal Law and the 2011 Grand Prix de l’Art philatélique Brussels
Engraver: František Horniak
Release date: September 10, 2021
October
Matthäus Merian (1593–1650)
Series: art
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet, print
offset and Flat plate steel printing
Early in [Merian’s life], he had created detailed town plans in his own unique style, for example plans of both Basel and Paris (1615). With Martin Zeiler (1589 – 1661), a German geographer, and later (circa 1640) with his own son, Matthäus Merian produced a collection of topographic maps. The 21-volume set was collectively known as the Topographia Germaniae and included numerous town-plans and views, as well as maps of most countries and a world map. The work was so popular that it was re-issued in many editions. He also took over and completed the later parts and editions of the Grand Voyages and Petits Voyages, originally started by Theodor de Bry in 1590. Merian’s work inspired the Swesih royal cartographer, Erik Dahlberg, to produce his Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna, which became a cornerstone in European mapping.Matthäus Merian Archives – (neatlinemaps.com)
Martin Čičo’s biography at the Slovensko post office site is one of the most approachable writeups I’ve read. It is available in English POFIS – Catalogue – Products – ART: Matthäus Merian (1593–1650)
Designer/engraver: Rudolf Cigánik
Release date: October 18, 2021
November
Petra Vlhová – Alpine Skiing World Cup 2020/21
Series: sports
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Petra Vlhová is a gold medal and World Cup winning alpine skier. Petra Vlhova – Petra Vlhová
Designer: Karol Felix
Release date: November 3, 2021
Christmas mail 2021
1 stamp, FDC, 4 cancels
offset
Christmas mail (vianocnaposta.sk) is a fun page from the 2021 Christmas campaign.
Designer: Boris Meluš
This is Meluš’ first stamp for Slovensko.
“My dad showed me the process of everything, after the revolution, he founded the publish house O.K.O. with two friends. Their first book was about the invasion from Russia, right after the revolution” Boris Melus – Paper Passion – Arctic Paper
Artist: Kristina Gubienová – Kristina is an 11 year old artist from Slovensko
FDC artist: Radka Ptáková
Release date: November 12, 2021
Christmas 2021: Folk faience
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, booklet of 10
offset
The image is by ceramic artist Ignác Bizmayer (1922 – 2019).
Ignac Bizmayer occupies a special and prominent place in modern Slovak visual arts. As an artist he has been able to consistently capture the fusion of new reality with the stimuli of a bottomless wellspring of the peculiar folk tradition. The primary force of his clay sculptures, reliefs or paintings draws on the language, philosophy, and humour of a commonplace man, responds to the milestones of our national history and todays life. Panoráma.sk – Ignac Bizmayer (Slovak-English Book about the Slovak Ceramic Artist) (panorama.sk)
Designer: Adrian Ferda
Release date: November 12, 2021
Alexander Dubček (1921–1992)
Series: personalities
1 stamp, FDC, 3 cancels, Numismatic commemorative letter
offset
“Alexander Dubček is best known as the Slovak First Secretary of Czechoslovakia who instigated the liberal reforms of the Prague Spring in 1968” Alexander Dubček: The leader of the 1968 Prague Spring – Prague Blog (private-prague-guide.com)
Alexander Dubcek (alphahistory.com)
Designer: Peter Augustovich
Release date: November 26, 2021
December
Adoration of the Three Kings of Zlaté Moraviec
Series: art
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, 2 engraved collections
Flat plate steel printing
POFIS – Catalog – Products – ART: Adoration of the Three Kings of Zlaté Moraviec
This is a beautifully designed set. If you happen to have it, drop a note in comments and let me know what you think of the various engraved sheets. From the photos they look amazing, but I can’t see a lot of detail.
Designer: František Horniak
Release date: December 1, 2021
Postage Stamp Day: Mikuláš Klimčák (1921 – 2016)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, commemorative letter
offset
Mikuláš Klimčák is the latest in Slovensko’s long running Stamp Day series. This annual tribute to the hobby began in 1996 and signals the end of the stamp program.
His work depicting the birth of Jesus Christ became the model for a postage stamp that was published for Christmas 1997. An unconventional approach to iconography is also visible on it, where he portrays iconographic motifs in a modern artistic style. POFIS – Catalogue – Products – Postage Stamp Day: Mikuláš Klimčák (1921 – 2016)
Designer: Martin Činský ArtD.
Činský engraved his first stamp in 1986 for the Czechoslovakian Post. He had the honour of creating the first stamp for the new Slovak Republic in 1993 the Slovak Coat of arms. He went on to co-found Slovak Stamp Art and has designed over 150 stamps.
He has won many awards for both his stamp art work as well as his engraving. Činský is the Head of the Department of Postal Stationery at the Academy of Fine Art in Bratislava, where he leads both design and the training of designers in the art of engraving.
His work was recognised in 2014 by the President of the Slovak Republic when he was awarded the Pribina Cross of the 1st Class for his contributions to the cultural development of the Slovak Republic.
Release date: December 3, 2021
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