I Muse...On Czeslw Slania's Titles and Medals

Today is 17 March, which is the 11th Anniversary of the death of the stamp engraving virtuoso, Czeslaw Slania.

To commemorate this day, I was originally planning to do a bit of a biography of Slania. But then I thought, maybe it would be better to focus instead on the awards and titles he received during his amazing career. And there are plenty of them, let me tell you!

Below is a list of the awards and titles he received that I could find. I have no idea if it is complete, but even if it is, it is mightily impressive:

• He was appointed Court Engraver to King Gustav VI Adolph of Sweden.

• He was awarded the Order of the Dannebrog by Queen Margaret II of Denmark...

• He was awarded he King's Medal of the Eighth Size with Royal Blue Ribbon by King Karol XVI Gustav of Sweden...

• Order of Saint Charles awarded by Prince Rainier III of Monaco...

• The Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland awarded by President Aleksander Kwasniewski...

• Order of Saint Gregory awarded by Pope John Paul II...

• Guinness Book of Records for the largest ever engraved stamp, which was also his 1000th engraved stamp. Issued in Sweden on 17 March 2000, which I only just now realised is the same date as his death five years later.

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His amazing stamp engraving career notwithstanding, Czeslaw Slania's awards and titles are truly something to be admired.

On 17 March 2005 the supremely talented artist, Czeslaw Slania, died at the age of 83 in Krakow and he was buried in the Rakowicki Cemetery. Your stunning visual legacy lives on and will continue do to so for, I hope, a long time to come. Your work has certainly touched and inspired me. You are a legend, Mr Slania!!

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Sweden 1960 - Anders Zorn

I've always been a bit of a fan of discovering firsts. What was the first stamp for a particular country? What was the first decimal stamp for that country? And so on... In this blog I'm looking forward to studying Czeslaw Slania's first stamp for Sweden. As most Slania collectors out there probably already know, Slania emigrated from Poland and moved to Sweden in 1956. He lived in Sweden for three years before he was given a position with the Swedish Post Office after one of Sweden's premiere engravers, Sven Ewert took ill and needed replacing. The first stamp Slania engraved for Sweden was issued in 1960 in two values. Let's now take a look at the subject of the stamp, then the stamp itself...

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Anders Zorn was an incredibly gifted Swedish artist. He was born 18 February 1860 on the farm of his grandparents in Yvraden in the parish of Morna, Dalarna. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts from 1875 to 1880. There he dazzled his teachers with his amazing talent. 

Zorn quickly became and international success, practising his art in places such as London, Spain, Paris, Italy and the United States. He is primarily known for his character-filled portraits. And he painted more than a few famous people, including three American Presidents, the King of Sweden, Oscar II, the Queen consort of Sweden and Norway, Queen Sophia, and Mrs Walter Bacon to name but a few. He was also an exceptionally talented landscape artist. In fact, it was one of his landscapes, Sommamoje, that fetched the highest sale price ever for a painting in Sweden. It sold for a whopping 26 million SEK on 3 June 2010. He also painted incredibly life-like nude portraits. Click HERE for some examples of his work. Anders Zorn died at the age of 60 on 22 August 1920.

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On 18 February 1960, Sweden issued a commemortive stamp in two values, depicting the artist, Anders Zorn. The design was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. As mentioned above, this was his first full stamp engraving for Sweden.

The 30o value. From a vertical coil. This stamp was also printed in booklet format.

This is a lovely engraving of the artist, based on an etching produced by the artist. This image suggests to me the artist, Zorn, sitting and ruminating over a potential subject with pencil poised over an art pad ready to pounce the moment inspiration strikes. In the bottom left just above the country name is a reproduction of Zorn's signature, almost as if he had signed off on the work.

The 80o value. From a vertical coil...

As mentioned above, this stamp was based on an etched self-portrait by Zorn. I'd like to thank a couple of my followers for giving me this information. Here's what the etching looked like...

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Sweden 1978 - Edible Mushrooms

On October 7 1978 Sweden issued a lovely booklet of six stamps, the theme of which was edible mushrooms. All six stamps were engraved by Czeslaw Slania. The booklet was printed se-tenant in two rows of three stamps. The top three stamps are imperforated (imperf.) along the top, and the bottom three stamps are imperf. along the bottom. In this blog I shall number each stamp in the booklet from 1 to 6 starting in the top left and moving across, like this...

Important: I'd like to add a word of warning before I get going with the description of the mushrooms in the stamp booklet. These mushrooms are listed as edible, but there are many species of mushrooms that are deadly poisonous. Never eat a mushroom unless you are absolutely certain it is edible. If unsure, leave it be! 

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The 1,15 Kr Russula decolorans. Position 1 in the booklet.

The Russula decolorans has a dull orange to coppery orange cap. They are often found on conifers - which which they have a symbiotic relationship (growing together for mutual benefit). They also grow in woods and on the ground in groups or alone. R. decolorans can be found in the USA and Europe, but they are rare in the UK except in Scotland. They are often harvested for food in Finland.

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The 1,15 Kr Lycoperdon peratum. Position 2 in the booklet.

The Lycoperdon perlatum has a white to cream colour. It is popularly called 'the common puffball, warted puffball, or if you are slightly more daring, the devil's snuffbox. L. perlatum s a widespread species that grows in fields, gardens, roadsides, wooded areas, and clearings. It can be found throughout North America and Europe.

As far as edibility goes, L. perlatum can be eaten when young. They have been referred to as 'poor man's sweatbread'. They can be crumbed and fried or used in soups as a substitute for dumplings.

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The 1,15 Kr Macrolepiota procera. Position 3 in the booklet.

The Macrolepiota procera is popularly known as the parasol mushroom due to its large fruiting body, which resembles a parasol. M. procera can be found globally in temperate regions. This mushroom is very popular in Europe due to its size - it can reach a height of 40cm - and versatility in the kitchen. 

The parasol mushroom is slightly toxic uncooked, so it should be never eaten raw. It can, however, be cooked in a variety of ways. Sautéed in melted butter. It can be crumbed and pan fried. There is a Slovak recipe in which the cap of the mushroom is stuffed with ground pork, oregano, and garlic, and then baked.

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The 1,15 Kr Cantharellus cibarius. Position 4 in the booklet.

The Cantharellus cibarius is popularly known as the chanterelle. It has a beautiful vibrant orange colour and is considered an excellent edible mushroom. It can be found in Northern Europe, North America (including Mexico), Asia, and many parts of Africa. Chanterelles tend to grow in clusters in mossy coniferous areas, and in birch forests.

Chanterelles have a wide variety of culinary uses. They can be included in sautés, soufflés, soups, and cream sauces. They can also be dried and crushed, then used as seasoning on sauces and soups. In fact, some chefs believe dried chanterelles have more flavour than those that are fresh.  

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The 1,15 Kr Boletus edulis. Position 5 in the booklet.

The Boletus edulis has many different common names depending on the country in which you reside. The English call it the penny bun. In Italy it is called the hog mushroom. In Austria it is called the noble mushroom. There are many other common names for this popular mushroom. B. edulis is wide spread in the Northern Hemisphere. It does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere, but it has been introduced in such places as southern Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. It can be found in deciduous and coniferous forests.

This mushroom is a highly regarded edible. It can be used in soups, pastas, and risottos. It can also be dried and pickled.

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The 1,15 Kr Ramaria botrytis. Position 6 in the booklet.

The Ramaria botrytis is commonly known as the clustered coral, the pink-tipped coral mushroom, or the cauliflower coral. It is widely found in North Africa, North America, central and eastern Europe, Asia, and Australia.

This mushroom is sold in Japan for culinary purposes as Nedzumi-take. In Italy it is stewed or pickled in oil. It can also be thinly sliced and dried.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!

Sweden 1978 - Brown Bear

The Ursus Arctos better known as the Brown Bear, is the largest terrestrial carnivoran.  It can stand upwards of 150 cm at the shoulder, and an adult can weigh in at an impressive 640 kg. The Brown Bear can be found lumbering about India, Canada, China, United States (particularly Alaska), Scandinavia, and parts of Russia. There are many recognised subspecies of the Brown Bear. Click HERE for more details.

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On April 11 1978, Sweden issued a stamp, engraved by Czeslaw Slania, which, I think is truly stunning...

The subject of the stamp is a Brown Bear stalking the bogs of Sörvattnet, Härjedalen. Czeslaw Slania engraved this stamp from a photograph. And he has done a superb job. The detail is exquisite. One can almost see the muscles of this majestic creature rippling beneath its thick fur as it travels the bogs, hunting for a good feed.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!