Poczta Polska presents unique philatelic publications summarizing the year 2021
On Thursday, June 30, 2021, at the Company's Headquarters in Warsaw, two flagship publications of Poczta Polska were presented simultaneously for the first time in history – the "Book of Postal Stamps 2021" and the "Book of Postal Cards 2021." Among the guests invited to participate in the event were representatives of PWPW SA – the company collaborating with the Polish Post in issuing issues, as well as institutions that participated in the process of creating philatelic issues in 2021.
The ceremonial presentation was attended by, among others, Tomasz Zdzikot, President of Poczta Polska, Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska, and Maciej Biernat, President of the Management Board of the Polish Security Printing Works.
" The Book of Postage Stamps is our flagship publication. Poczta Polska summarizes its philatelic activities in this unique book, but this is only the second time we have also published a book of postcards. Today, we present both books simultaneously. They are the culmination of a very successful 2021 in philately. We are proud not only of these beautiful books but also of the cooperation with our institutional partners who create our issues, including our growing collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is worth emphasizing that last year was rich in numerous international issues. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Institute of National Remembrance and the Military Historical Office. Thanks to their cooperation with these institutions, our historical issues acquire a special value, " said Tomasz Zdzikot. – Poczta Polska stamps are beautiful and this is not just our subjective impression, last year our stamp with the Eurasian lynx was recognized as the most beautiful in Europe in the PostEurop plebiscite – emphasized the President of Poczta Polska.
In 2021, Poczta Polska issued 52 stamp issues – 40 commemorative and 12 circulation issues. For both issues, the company issued 67 stamps – including 61 standalone stamps, 3 in a block, and 3 with tags. Additionally, 37 issues of postcards with a pre-printed postage mark were put into circulation, including 42 stamps printed on postcards. In addition to regular series such as "National Remembrance Day of the <Cursed Soldiers>," "Europe," "Patrons of Poland," "Polish Cities," "Madonnas of the Borderlands," and "Anders' Army – Trail of Hope," new philatelic items were also released. All the philatelic values of the past year can be admired on 117 pages of the Book of Stamps and 83 pages of the Book of Postcards, which together create a unique set of philatelic publications of Poczta Polska for 2021.
Both books are very consistent graphically. The only differences are in their size and format – "KKP 2021" is slightly slimmer but wider than its "stamp" sister.
" For many years, together with Poczta Polska, we have been publishing magnificent Books of Postage Stamps. You always admire the fantastic final result, but it is preceded by many hours of work by our artists and experts – employees of PWPW and Poczta Polska. I sincerely thank them all for their commitment and perseverance in achieving the goal of bringing satisfaction and smiles to the faces of fans of the Book of Postage Stamps ," said Maciej Biernat, President of the Management Board of the Polish Security Printing Works.
Postal issues most frequently accompanied the celebration of important anniversaries falling in 2021. Among the most important of these are stamps commemorating events related to the establishment of diplomatic relations with numerous countries in Europe and the world, the establishment of the Treaty of Riga, the Stock Exchange, the Silesian Uprisings, the May 3rd Constitution, the March Constitution, the Post and Telecommunications Museum in Wrocław, the defense of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk, the Weimar Triangle, and Totalizator Sportowy. Among the important anniversaries honored with philatelic values were the births of outstanding Poles – Henryk Glass "Skinny Wolf", Franciszek Walicki, Father Franciszek Blachnicki, Tadeusz Różewicz, Henryk Arctowski, Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński, and Kornel Morawiecki. Also important for Polish philately were issues dedicated to the beatifications of Cardinals. Stefan Wyszyński, Mother Elizabeth Róża Czacka and Father Jan Macha.
Together with three postal operators: Czech, Hungarian, and Slovak, we introduced the "30th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Visegrad Group" issue; with Lithuania and Ukraine, we issued the "400th Anniversary of the Battle of Chocim" issue; and with Croatian Post, we issued the "Treasures of the Earth" issue. In turn, with an issue prepared with Swedish Post, we commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czesław Słania, an internationally acclaimed Polish engraver and stamp designer.
" Polish Post can consider 2021 a very successful year for philately. It is summed up by two exceptional books with philatelic value. They demonstrate that stamps and postcards have been an important part of our nation's culture for many years. Both books draw attention, in an attractive and unique way, to the fulfillment of the Polish Post's mission by honoring the most important events, anniversaries, and exceptional figures. We educate and strive to strengthen a sense of national identity, and this is best seen in the compilation of all the stamps and cards issued last year. I am certain that both of our book publications will once again become a hit with collectors, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Polish Post.
The Polish Post has addressed important social issues through philatelic issues and participated in nationwide campaigns. Examples include "Territorial Defense Forces," "Beneficial Insects," and "#SZCZEPIMYSIĘ."
A Polish stamp with an endangered Asian lynx, designed by Bożydar Grozdew and issued as part of the EUROPA series, was awarded a gold medal in the EUROPA 2021 competition of the association of European postal agencies PostEurop and was recognized as the most beautiful stamp in Europe.
Both of these unique publications – in numbered, limited editions – can be purchased on the website of the Poczta Polska
philatelic online store.