The Polish Post Office has issued a stamp dedicated to the brilliant cryptologist Jan Kowalewski

By decision of the previous Senate of the Republic of Poland, 2020 was designated the Year of Jan Kowalewski. On June 30, 2020, the Polish Post introduced a postage stamp bearing the title "Lt. Col. Jan Kowalewski – Outstanding Cryptologist," dedicated to the Polish mathematician who significantly contributed to the victory of Polish forces in the Battle of Warsaw in 1920.

Designer Jarosław Ochendzan depicted Jan Kowalewski on the stamp against a white-and-red flag. Along the top edge are the inscriptions "POLSKA" and the value "1.80 zł," while along the bottom edge are the inscriptions "Lt. Col. Jan Kowalewski – Outstanding Cryptologist." In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a limited edition First Day Cover (FDC) envelope. It features the profiles of Cipher Bureau officers from 1921.

Jan Kowalewski was a Polish Army officer, cryptologist, mathematician, and linguist. He was the chief of intelligence for General Lucjan Żeligowski's 4th Infantry Rifle Division. He organized and headed (1919–1924) the Second Radio Intelligence Department of the Cipher Bureau of the Second General Staff of the Polish Army High Command, which broke Soviet ciphers during the war with the Bolsheviks. He was also the chief of intelligence for the insurgent forces during the Third Silesian Uprising. In 1923, he was sent to Japan, where he led a three-month cryptography training course for Japanese intelligence officers. From 1928 to 1933, he served as military attaché to the Polish Legation in Moscow. From 1933 to 1937, he served as military attaché in Bucharest. In the autumn of 1939, he headed the committee for aiding Polish refugees in Bucharest. From 1941 to 1944, he headed the Continental Communications Office in Lisbon. As part of the so-called Continental Action, Jan Kowalewski directed extensive intelligence operations throughout Europe. After the war, he remained in exile in Great Britain. He collaborated with Radio Free Europe.

Poczta Polska (Polish Post) aims to play an active role in shaping our national historical identity. As a guardian of tradition, our company strives to preserve the memory and cultivate the images of the past of our great ancestors. Through its philatelic activities, the Company promotes important values, educates, and commemorates outstanding figures and significant events. In recent publications, Poczta Polska has honored Poles who saved Jews during World War II, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, recalled Poland's symbolic wedding to the sea, and paid tribute to the victims of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz on the 75th anniversary of its liberation.

About the stamp:

Author of the stamp design: Jarosław Ochendzan
Number of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 1.80
Circulation: 8,000,000 pcs
Printing technique: rotogravure
Stamp format: 25.5mm x 31.25mm
Paper: fluorescent
Sales sheet: 100 stamps
Date of introduction into circulation: June 30, 2020

This and other philatelic publications can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .