Introduction 1882 - I 1887 1891 - II 1895 - III 1898 1899 1900 1901 - IV 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 - V 1908 1910 1911 1912 - VI 1913 1914 1915 1916 1918 1919 1920 - Local Events 1920 - VII 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 - VIII 1927 1928

SOKOL POSTCARDS and Poster Stamps 1908 (Click on any image to view an enlarged version) Postcard of the Liberec Sokols days in Turnov, 28-28 June 1908.   Local Slet in Prostejov, August 15-16, 1908   Note the similarity between this card and the one showing the poster for the 1907 V Slet in Prague - both obviously by the same artist and printer. The printer is UNIE-PRAHA, but the artist is not credited on either card. Fortunately, we know that the artist for the 1907 poster was Karel Šimůnek, a prolific Czech artist and illustrator, so we can say he did this one too. 1908 Smichov Protest Labels In 1908, the Austrian rulers of Czechoslovakia issued an elaborate new set of large-format postage stamps to honor the 60-year jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. They featured portraits of past rulers of the Hapsburg Empire, as well as various portraits of the Emperor. Czech Sokol patriots in the town of Smichov created a large "stamp collar" label to protest their oppression - and raise money. Sold in three denominations - 3, 5, and 10 heller - it was permitted for a time, but soon outlawed. Below is an image of a set of the labels (probably reproductions), and another image of a reproduction of the label as it would have looked with one of the Jubilee stamps affixed. Note the way the label mimics the design of the stamp, which must have seemed cheeky.   HERE is one actually used on a cover. Nice! The inscription around the border of the label translates "For the gymnasium of Sokol II Tyrš in Smichov". Below, two very similar labels, but with advertising! 1. "KUPUJTE KOLINSKOU CIKORKU" = Buy Kolin Chicory 2. "TOLOKNA SLADOVA DETSKA MOUCKA - V SOUČEK, MOCHOV" = Tolokna Baby Cereal, V. Soucek, Mochov (V. Soucek was the company that produced Tolokna. It started as a distillery, then diversified. Baby food is a big leap! Mochov is the Czech town where it had its factories.) Which came first, the ads or the protests? Are there other labels like this? Please send images.   HERE is a page from an April, 1908 Czech newspaper with an ad for Tolokna - "Builds Healthy Blood and Strong Bones!" Stamp collars were popular at the time in Europe, especially in France (where they were called "porte timbres"), usually for patriotic or charitable messages. One received them in return for a donation to the cause, then used them either alone, or with a postage stamp added. The center, where the stamp was to go, was sometimes totally blank, but usually bore a simple message either supporting the organization selling them, or explaining their use. The border contained a message to surround the postage stamp and promote the cause. In the US, stamp collars were printed on envelopes, usually as advertising, hence were called "Advertising Collars." Another web page about Czech stamp collars - Podlepka : what is it ?

1929 1930 1931 1932 - IX 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 - X 1939 1943 - London 1946 1947 1948 - XI 1948 - Rudé Právo labels 1951 1989 1990 1994 - XII 1996 UNDATED Chile USA Slovak Catholic Sokol DTJ Orel YUNAK Links References Acknowledgments UPDATES