Czechoslovakia - Poisonous Mushrooms:

Czechoslovakia - Still popular in Philately:

Recently, obtained issue from this country, under topic of "Poisonous Mushrooms", with really PERFECT design, engraved, with quality of print, that is today available just in few countries worldwide!

Probably, one previous issue from 1958 year is better made, this one is not behind it and well "fit" in every specialized collection.

Here it is:

Year of issue 1989, in Michel catalog number have it under number 3017-3021, with affordable 4.00 euro catalog value.

Scott catalog list it under number 2758-2762, with catalog value per full set of 3.15 US$.

Stampworld catalog, which I admire as most "neutral" for market prices, have this set listed under number 3014-3018 with 3.51 US$ per set, in mnh quality.

If we want to see, what is real price on market, we can check it on ebay, where You will discover one really low price for set, which is around 2.00 US$ per one, but You will need to pay for postage, and probably PayPal fees, so price will be exactly as Stampworld say.

Now, if You want to see this issue in full beauty, You will need it is sheets of 10 stamps, which Scott catalog mention and value at 40.00 US$, Michel catalog is little bit more in price for same sheet of 10, it have 50.00 euro per set of 5. Next one option is listed in Michel catalog, but not mentioned in Scott, and it is that two values from set, are issued in sheet of 4, where Michel catalog for this two values (50 h and 3 K) have catalog value of 200.00 euro.

Expensive, but worth to have in this sheet option, especially, that on market, this sheets are no frequently available, and when it is available, it don't go down with price!

Enjoy!

Czechoslovakia Is one of country I love considering stamps. I have an almost complete mint collection from the fifties to the end of this country.

The engraving is wonderful and only Scandinavian countries had developed as much (but Czechoslovakia made bigger stamps that are pure art).

I don't have complete sheets as yours. I may consider it. Thanks for the sharing.

I forgot to include the main point… there's more informations in the specialized POFIS catalog. It gives an explanation for the price as the bloc of 4, issued in 1991 was not for sale (there 4 variations on those blocs) they were part of a 8 stamps booklet.

The explanation is given in czech… not the easiest language. The translation in english is quite rough. I copied it here :

In 1991, a stamp booklet "Poisonous Mushrooms" was put on sale, which
contains blocks of 4 marked No. 2909 and 2912 (50 h and 3 K#269;s) with left margins.
Originally, however, this booklet was prepared in a different form and were intended for him
even stamps of the same values in different designs are printed with 8 stamps
arranged in two four-block blocks. Eight-blocks were later vertically
cut into two, which were then (after removing the edges from three sides)
into notebooks. Price of the booklet - 400,-.

Unissued SL - 50 h and 3 K#269;s

The edges of the partially cut 8-blocks have not been torn off and therefore occur in the
form of 4-blocks with edges on all 4 sides, which later got to
philatelic market.

I hope this will help somehow

Thank you both for the information.

Indeed their engraving is beautiful.
Which catalogue do you think is more reliable for Czechoslovakia?

I have POFIS catalog (and read well both, Czech and Slovak), but I prefer Michel catalog as main catalog when checking stock of material.
People that specialized in Czechoslovakia, have SPECIALIZOVANA PRIRUCKA book, which give all possible information about any issue, but sadly, just till 1988.
And I'm glad, that Czech and Slovakia continue with good quality production, even that Slovakia, after separation, made some "experiment" with "new way", and quickly returned to "old way", because reaction from public was negative.
Interesting is that POFIS give no catalog price for this block of 4.

Thanks for the info Milco.

Yes, the Czech Republic has the same beautiful engraving as Czechoslovakia. I am not familiar with Slovak stamps but I will definitely take a look.

I just found this link [1] with many references of Czechoslovakia.

[1] https://www.csphilately.net/library...s-available/

helder: Yes, I know this site and Society, they have a lot of good information, but, as You probably know, there can nothing replace when person alone (with help of other information) study material, and for it, same person need real material "on table).
Because You mentioned that You are not familiar with Slovakia, I will show You one real BEAUTY from this country:
2010 year, 400 years of Synod of Zilina!
(Scott catalog 593)




Enjoy!

Stamps from Slovakia are seldom seen here in France. Same for those from Czech republic. I had lot of difficulties to get my POFIS catalog.

I'd like to continue my collection with those 2 countries. I just need to see if there's a way to subscribe to new issues directly with the post office.

By the way, do you know if there's a special catalog for Slovenkia stamps after 1992 ?

https://www.pofis.sk/en

Some information on issued stamps below 'catalog.' Many, you can buy online by adding them to your shopping cart.

Slovakian post offices tend to have stamps that may have been issued several years ago. Last year, I even bought stamps at post offices that were issued in 2015.


https://www.ceskaposta.cz/en/sluzby...e-a-postfila

I really don't know how other people obtain Czech and/or Slovak material, but my experience with on-line ordering, directly from this Post are somewhere in "hard to swallow" way!
I still purchase material directly, but it involve payment:
Bank Transfer, Cash by Western Union, and CC Amex they don't accept, PayPal no option, payment in advance, so on ...
Last shipment come really properly packed, but with Custom declaration with full value of material, which lead to Import Duty as "luxury items" ....
Than, as I have a luck, I have family in Slovakia, which actually pay pro-forma Invoice, and I give money to them by PayPal... so, another time spending involved.
When I need some older issue, no more available on-line, I have, and as I suggest to other people, to have one stable, long term connection with or dealer, or collectors that have material in stock, so You can avoid all this administrative barriers and expenses.

Regarding catalog, I don't understand which one You need? For SLOVAKIA or SLOVENIA?

Just to mention, that Czech Post have an nice practice, giving some kind of "gift" with purchase, this time I have great 2024 Pocket Calendar!
(shown)