Topical collectors prefer never-folded panes of Czechoslovakia 1960 Flowering Plants stamps

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Czechoslovakia is a dead country that was founded near the end of World War II by uniting the former provinces of Bohemia and Moravia (the Czech lands), Slovakia and Carpathian Ruthenia (also known as Carpatho-Ukraine). Czechoslovakia was separated into its constituent parts by Nazi Germany just before the beginning of World War II.

Occupied and dominated by the Soviet Union at the end of the war, Czechia and Slovakia were reunited under Soviet control while Carpathian Ruthenia was detached and added to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (one of the constituent republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). After the fall of communism, the country was peacefully dissolved into Czechia (the Czech Republic) and Slovakia on Dec. 31, 1992. The former Carpathian Ruthenia remains a part of independent Ukraine.

As an unwilling member of the Soviet bloc from 1945 to 1991, Czechoslovakia issued a plethora of stamps, many of which were sold canceled-to-order to stamp dealers for the packet trade. The good news is that most Czechoslovakian stamps of the communist period are well designed, beautifully engraved, colorful and feature many popular topics in their designs.

In addition to those who collect the country, many topical collectors are after various issues. On Nov. 21, 1960, Czechoslovakia issued a set of six Flowering Plants stamps (Scott 1013-1018). The stamp designs feature thistle, cyclamen, primrose, hen-and-chickens, gentian, and pasqueflower.

This set is popular with plant and flower topical collectors. The stamps were issued in panes of 10, and many topical collectors prefer to collect them in that format. The Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue values a set of six panes of 10 at just $100. A set of never-folded panes is a good buy at full catalog value or more in mint, never-hinged condition.

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