Prague, May 4 (CTK) – The Czech Post has issued a special postage stamp marking the 700th birth anniversary of Charles IV (1316-1378), King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, that was presented in Karolinum, the seat of Charles University, in Prague on Wednesday.
The presentation was attended by Charles University Rector Tomas Zima.
The stamp’s designer Jan Kavan was inspired by the foundation of the Prague University, the first university north of the Alps, by Charles IV in 1348, St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, which he also founded, and other heritage sights connected with him, as well as his interest in the economy.
The stamp worth 54 crowns bears a portrait of Charles IV and the initials of his name from the founding charter of the university. The lower part of the book of stamps shows a picture of the kneeling king passing this document on to St Wenceslas, the holy patron of the Czech Lands, and the ground plan of St Vitus Cathedral.
Fish and vine are depicted in the central part, alluding to the emperor’s concern for the economy. A Gothic arch and other architectonic motives from his period are on the background of the whole book of stamps.
The book of stamps was issued in 54,500 copies.
In the past, the Czech Post issued four stamps with a portrait of Charles IV in 1948, 1978, 1996 and 1998.
The current book of stamps was created by a combined technique of offset print for the background and selected contours of the face, hands and the royal crowns made by recess printing from flat plates.
