Fischer Katalog Polskich Znaków Pocztowych (i z Polsk? zwi?zanych) [Catalog of Polish Postage Stamps and Those Related to Poland]

Fischer Katalog Polskich Znaków Pocztowych (i z Polsk? zwi?zanych) [Catalog of Polish Postage Stamps and Those Related to Poland]. Edited by Andrzej Fischer of Bytom and Jerzy Walocha of Kraków, Poland. Published by Fischer sp. z o.o., Bytom, Poland. Volume 1 2022 edition price 150 PLN (plus shipping), available from the Fischer website, www.fischer.pl.

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Reviewer: Thomas Bieniosek

APRL Locator: [G6520 .A1 F529k 2017]

The Fischer Katalog Polskich Znaków Pocztowych (i z Polsk? zwi?zanych) [Catalog of Polish Postage Stamps and Those Related to Poland] is the standard reference for a specialized catalog of Polish philately. This catalog provides an excellent resource for students of Polish philately. It is printed in two volumes, Tom I and Tom II. Tom I appears annually. The nearly 500 pages of Tom I cover Polish pre-philately and the stamps of the Kingdom of Poland, the Republic of Poland 1918-1939, the Polish government in exile, the People’s Poland 1944-1952, the Polish People’s Republic 1952-1990, and the Republic of Poland 1990-present. Tom I also lists joint issues by foreign countries, official stamps, postage due stamps, and booklets. Written in Polish, it is still quite useful for English speakers, since it is profusely illustrated in color, and carries a glossary of philatelic terms in Polish, German, and English. The catalog prices its listings in Polish z?oty (PLN), a stable currency linked to the Euro. Prices reflect market conditions in Poland and can be considered as “net”. Each edition carries a foreword explaining any changes in catalog listings and commentary on Polish philately. Tom II appears less frequently than Tom I. The roughly 600 pages of Tom II cover philately of the World War I period, Central Lithuania, and Polish post offices abroad. Tom II details the stamps for the plebiscite territories of Upper Silesia (Górny ?l?sk), Marienwerder (Kwidzyn), Allenstein (Olsztyn), and Eastern Silesia (?l?sk Cieszy?ski). It has excellent coverage for the Free City of Danzig (Wolne Miasto Gda?sk), which includes precursers, stamps, and postal stationery, as well as a detailed map of that territory. It covers the philately of the World II period, including the German occupation (General Government) and Polish prisoner of war camp posts. This volume lists all Polish postal stationery from 1860 to present. It covers the semi-official airmail stamps and first flight covers from 1910 through 1939. It ends with the provisional “groszy” overprints of 1950-1951 and the provisional postage due overprints of 1918-1926.

Philatelists seeking even more detailed studies of Polish philately are encouraged to consult the five volumes of Polskie Znaki Pocztowe, which were issued between 1960 and 1973 and are available for reference at the APRL.