Czechoslovakia 1918 Boy Scout Issue

In the first days of  independence, a Scout mail was established for use by the National Committee in Prague. By order of the commander of scouts, J . Rossler-Orovsky, the firm Kolman of Vinohrady printed two stamps of l0h and 20h denomination.

Engraving of the die was performed by J. Panenka.

Letters to the committee were cancelled with a round cachet bearing in the center the initials N.V. (National Committee) or a round cachet POSTA SKAUTU – PRAHA – 1918, then taken over by Boy Scouts and delivered. As well, the letters were printed with a two-line cachet, DOPIS OD SKAUTA…PREVZAL which had to be

filled in by the signature of the delivering Boy Scout and the receiver of the letter.

These letters are rare, especially the double line ones. Many were later fabricated falsely and appear to be rare.

The stamps were printed and perforated with a colored die cut all in one operation.

Original Stamps

Genuine Features

Design dimensions: 22 X 27 mm

1. Even perforations and die outline visible

2 . The crown on the lion’s head is precisely shaped , with the cross centered.

3 . In the mane there is a small colored line .

4. The outline of the body was accomplished by a single continuous stroke of the burring tool.

5 & 6. The letter D appears beneath the letter S, and the letter I is located under the spaces between U and Z.

7 . Beneath the mane, the left leg is extended into the body by means of a lengthy line.

8. The hooks over the letters S and C are sharp

9. Small circle with color in the center.

Forgeries

Forgery A

Design dimensions: 22 X 26 mm
1. Uneven perforations lacking color die cut
2. No line in the mane
3. Outline is broken
4. Small color dot in left foot
5 & 6. D & I out of position
7. Short wide line
8. Few veins in leaves
9. Small hooks over letters

Forgery B
Design dimensions: 22 X 26 mm
1. Uneven perforations lacking color die cut
2. Large round with tiny color dot in the center
3. Crown is misshapen
4. No line in the mane
5. Feet are crudely drawn
6 & 7. D & I out of position
8. Tiny hooks over letters
9. Letters are uneven, slanted “S

Forgery C
Design dimensions: 21.2 X 26.5 mm
Overall very crude
1. Large circle
2. Crown very badly done
3. No line and very little overall details
4. Large feet and front paws
5 & 6. Letters “D” & “I” badly out of line
7. No veins in leaves and stems don’t converge
8. Crude uneven letters
9. Large hooks, one touching letter
10. Uneven lines out of place
11. Perforations totally off

The forgeries of the 20 h are similar to the 10 h other than the letter “D” & “I” positions as shown in the genuine below