The Polish Post commemorates "Orlik" on a postage stamp

The image of Major Marian Bernaciak, codename "Orlik," was featured on a postage stamp issued in connection with the National Remembrance Day of the "Cursed Soldiers," which is celebrated on March 1st. Poczta Polska began a series of stamps commemorating the heroism of the Cursed Soldiers in 2016.

This time, the hero of the stamp is a pre-war employee of the Polish Post Office, who gained fame during the war as a soldier in the September Campaign and the patriotic underground. The graphic depicts Major "Orlik" on horseback, greeting the residents of Ryki. The event thus commemorated took place on July 26, 1944. Marian Bernaciak's red and white armband stands out against the black-and-white background. Residents of Ryki wear similar armbands. The stamp's designer, Marzanna Dąbrowska, placed the inscription "National Remembrance Day of the "Cursed Soldiers" on a red background at the bottom of her design. The stamp, with a face value of 2.60 złoty, enters circulation on March 1 of this year.

In 2016, the first stamp from the Cursed Soldiers National Remembrance Day issue was released, dedicated to Major Zygmunt Szendzielarz "Łupaszka" (1910–1951), posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Meanwhile, in the "Cursed Soldiers' Rugby" series, in 2017, Poczta Polska issued stamps dedicated to Lieutenant Franciszek Majewski "Słony" (1919–1948) and Senior Sergeant Mieczysław Dziemieszkiewicz "Rój" (1925–1951). On March 1, 2018, an issue featuring Cavalry Captain Witold Pilecki "Witold" (1901–1948) and Danuta Siedzikówna "Inka" (1928–1946) appeared. In addition to this series, a stamp commemorating Feliks Selmanowicz "Zagonczyk" (1904–1946) was issued.

About the stamp:

stamp designer: Marzanna Dąbrowska
number of stamps: 1
value: PLN 2.60
circulation: 180,000 pcs
printing technique: rotogravure
stamp format: 31.25 x 51 mm
sales sheet: 12 stamps
paper: fluorescent
date of introduction into circulation: March 1, 2019

This and other publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at designated Poczta Polska branches and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .