Czechoslovakian 50h/50h Green Overprint on Austrian Newspaper Stamp

Czechoslovakia · 1919 · 50h

This is a provisional newspaper stamp created by overprinting an Austrian 50 heller newspaper stamp with the text 'POŠTA ČESKOSLOVENSKÁ 1919'. The overprint was applied to existing Austrian stock following the establishment of the First Czechoslovak Republic. This particular stamp is famous for its inverted overprint error.

Issued in 1919, this stamp represents the early days of the newly formed Czechoslovakian state after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. The use of overprints on existing Austrian stamps was a common and practical measure to establish a national postal system quickly.