Israel Newsletter

    June, 2008

First Day Covers - Artist Signed


Many First Day Covers are rather common but it is possible to build a rather unique collection of them by collecting the covers which have been signed by the stamp designer. These covers are always of much greater value and can make a fairly cheap cover much more valuable.  Shown here is a First Day Cover of the 1950 New Year Issue, Scott 35-36 or Bale 38-39 which has been signed by the designer, Arthur Szyk.




Arthur Szyk( pronuounced "Schick") is a famous Jewish artist. His works are very famous and elaborately beautiful. He was a Polish-born American artist, famous for his anti-Axis political illustrations, caricatures, and cartoons during World War II, as well as his illustrations for magazine and newspaper articles and books; including an illustrated Haggadah of Pesach, the Szyk Hagaddah, cited by The Times as "worthy to be placed among the most beautiful of books that the hand of man has ever produced". His illustrations took the form of medieval miniaturists and illuminated manuscripts, which gave them a very distinctive style. Szyk dedicated his work to democracy and freedom, and end to political injustice and human suffering, saying of his work, "Art is not my aim, it is my means", and "I am but a Jew praying in art."  Buy this cover!

For more information on Arthur Szyk  Click Here.


Interesting Story about the 1.70 Landscape Issue


The 1.70 Landscape issue which pictures Nazereth and is Scott # 472C or Bale 616is a brown-grey colored stamp. Because of its drab color, it would certainly not be a popular issue and may even be considered ugly. Nevertheless, the original printing of the stamp was June 17, 1975. At that time, this denomination was used for the air mail rate to America. Four months after its issue, the postal rates were changed and the denomination really did not match any current rate. In August 15, 1980 a new rate was put into effect for 6.0 IL. The new Standby issues had been produced but there was no 6.0 IL value. Hence the only way that this rate could be matched on mail was to combine the 4.30 Standby issue with the 1.70 Landscape issue to equal 6.0L.




Because inventories of the I.70 value were small, it was decided to make a second printing of the issue. A new printing would have required a new variety for this denomination which would have had either one phosphor bar or none. The philatelic services wanted to avoid making a new issue, so they decided to make another printing of the earlier issue and use the old date of 240475. However, there were differences in the printings which was quickly noticed by collectors and variety hunters. The printings varied as follows:

First Printing
  • Off White Paper and two thick very distinct phosphor bars
  • Under UV  Paper shows dark, bright green phosphor bars
  • Sheet No. and date  were closer to the top stamp

Second Printing
  • White Paper and two thin hardly visible phosphor bars
  • Under UV  Flourescent Paper and gum, light phosphor bars
  • Sheet No. and date were farther from the top stamp.

The same sheet numbering was used on both printings so it would be possible to find sheets with identical control number.  Shown below are two plate blocks which will show the difference in the positioning of the date and control number. The one on the right side is the Second Printing.





This is just one of many interesting stories about the varieties that exist within the Landscape Issues of Israel. They are an issue that can make an excellent area of specialization.  Be sure to check out my listings for items within this Landscape issues.