Czeslaw Slania's "Joking Stamps" (Microprints)

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In some cases Czeslaw Slania has "personalized" his stamps by engraving little "personal messages" that are not visible with the naked eye, but only when using lenses, glasses and magnifier at the same time :)  These two pages are a compilation of such stamps, excerpted from the relevant pages on this site.  They are shown in chronological order of engraving.  It is evident that beehind Mr. Slania's serious craftsmanship hides a gentle and joking mind :)  

Many thanks to Mr. Jerzy Krysiak (Sweden), whose original exhibit was on display at the Winnipeg Exhibition in Canada 6-16 October 2002, and to Mr. Chong Meng (Singapore), for making the special scans for these pages.   

Excerpted from Poland, page 1, (1950). Although this stamp is not exactly "joking", I'd like to show it here, as it is Slania's first work as an apprentice of engraving.  He was allowed to engrave the blade of the ax, marked with a red square, under surveillance of Mr. M.R. Polak, who also took credit for the stamp, see his signature in the lower right corner.

Excerpted from Poland, page 1, (1950). 1952.  Automobile Factory in Zeran.  The person in the lower right corner mounting the wheel is Slania, who has portrayed himself on this stamp as a mechanic.

Excerpted from Poland, page 1 (1952).

• Poland 1952.  Airplane over Warszaw. Scott # C30

Right above the treetops on the left side of the stamp Slania has engraved the name "Majewska", referring to his sister Leokadija.  Along the left borderline, read upside down, he has engraved the name "Lilka", referring to a relative of the Majewsky-family.  See the detailed fragment on the image to the right, surrounded with violet highlight.

Excerpted from Poland, page 1 (1952).

Scott # 544

• Poland 1952.  100th death anniversary of the Russian Poet Nicolai Gogol.

On the lower part of the oval frame Slania has engraved the name "Lala", referring to a friend who was a great admirer of Gogol's authorship.  See the detailed fragment on the image to the right, encircled with green highlight.

Excerpted from Poland, page 2 (1953).

Scott # 593

• Poland 1953.  Courtyard of the Royal Palace Wawel in Krakow.  Engraved after a photograph by St. Kolowca. 

On this stamp Slania has engraved the name "PILCH", the name of a friend, under the gable of the third floor, the window in the middle (or second window of the left wing).  See the detailed fragment on the image to the right.  It is uncertain which name is engraved in the black circle.

Excerpted from Poland, page 2 (1954). 

• Poland 1954.  In the Library.  A close examination of this stamp -- Scott # 654 -- reveals the below names and surnames of relatives and friends, see details below. 

• his mother's name, Jozefa Slania, and 

• Herwich (the supreme of the printing office of the Polish Postal Ministry) (both highlighted in black on the stamp -- left side, row 1);

• his cousin and girl friend  from college, Danuta Drabarek (highlighted in violet on the stamp -- left side, row 3); POTOP is an original Polish book title. 

• J. Przygodzka (Jadwiga Przygodzka -- a family member) (highlighted in carmine on the stamp -- left side, row 4);

• his cousin, Maria Majewska (highlighted in brownish-red on the stamp -- right side, row 3);

• The last name, Pan Tadeusz (highlighted in bright green -- right side, row 1), is the title of a famous Polish novel.

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