CZESLAW SLANIA 1921
- 2005
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Czeslaw Slania was born 22 October 1921 in Poland.
After World War II in 1945 he entered the Art Academy in Krakow, Poland.
By 1950 he was engraving full time for the Polish Post Office before
moving to Sweden in 1956.
In 1959 he received his first commission from the
Swedish Post. A year later he was offered the permanent position.
Soon he was to achieve wide international recognition. In 1974 the
late King Gustaf Adolf VI of Sweden appointed him Court Engraver. Since
that time he was to receive similar titles from Denmark, Monaco and
Poland. |
Using the steel engraving technique, Slania engraved in excess of 1000 postal
stamps for 32 countries, and banknotes for 10 countries, totalling 40 different
countries.
As a time filler, and because stamp engraving was his hobby
as well as his profession, he amused himself by engraving stamp-like portraits
(he preferred to call them labels) of famous people, friends and family.
Along with other fine examples of his engravings these labels are much
sought after.
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Looking through my personal Slania-collection I am
made aware of the wide variety of subject matter, especially in
portraiture.
If I had to name a few stamps as my favourites, I
would have to mention “The Old Fiddler” engraved for Sweden in 1983,
and the Göta Canal Set for Sweden in 1979, of which the ferry boat
“Juno” is of a particular beauty.
- Sweden
1983. “The Old
Fiddler”.
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He passed away on 17th March 2005, and was buried in
Krakow, Poland -- his city of birth -- on 24th March 2005.
His last stamp engraving was for The United Nations at the
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the General Assembly, released in
February 2005, only one and half month before his death.
Never again will we see more exquisite engravings from his
burin,. but the pleasure that this man, through his talent and skill, has
brought to so many will be his lasting legacy.
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