vintage and contemporary postcards and stamps from around the world


02 September 2018

Sunday Stamps C

2014, Czech Republic, My Own Stamps 
Z = international rate
designers:  Jaroslav and  Michal Weigel

Jara Cimrman ... creator of the world's first round stamp 
according to Ceska Post:
As a teacher in the Galician village of Nipple, Jara Cimrman met a local postmaster's daughter, Erika, T. who soon became his girlfriend and also the recorder of his ideas and principles.  We know from Erika T's records that Jara Cimrman presented to the Austrian Imperial and Royal Post Office his plan of using field artillery for delivery of express mail.  This innovative plan had the benefit of delivery within seconds to a given address.  The disadvantage was that it also reduced the number of addresses.  The plan was cancelled at the request of the Galician people. Inspired by the round postmark, Cimrman also designed a round postage stamp for these express consignments.

This is obviously not true as Jara Cimrman is a fictional character who spent his life in tireless pursuit of many disciplines. He is described as a "universal genius, inventor, sportsman, philosopher, criminologist, writer and philosopher". He first made an appearance on a radio show in 1966 and  became an immensely popular Czech national hero.
His wikipedia page (which records some of his exploits) is here

for the letter C - Czech Republic, Cimrman


6 comments:

Ana said...

hahaha, that story was so funny, haha! Esp. the disadvantage thing, haha, hilarious! Now wonder the plan had to be cancelled! :D
I think Ceška Post have gotten a bit vain there :P
However, it is a really nice stamp, gives a sense of mystery, just as the whole story about Jara is :)

Joy said...

Very whimsical, I always like to see a country's sense of humour on stamps. Nice antique look to it as well.

Mail Adventures said...

I'd like the post company in my country had this sense of humour! :D

agi said...

a very interesting story behind this stamp :)

Maria said...

I loved reading about this character! How interesting and peculiar!

Bob Scotney said...

I should have known it was a joke when I read the village name. Warning - don't google it in Czechoslovakia.