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Czechoslovakia 1919 Legionnaires Orphans Semi-Postal 75h & 100h MH Pair
Czechoslovakia 1919 semi-postal issue \"Sirotam Nasich Legionaru\" (For the Orphans of Our Legionnaires), 75h blue-black and 100h violet, perforated. Beautifully engraved mother and child design by J. Obrovsky. The 100h appears MNH with clean fresh gum. The 75h is mint hinged with toning on reverse and a collector\'s notation in pencil. Both Fine to Very Fine with strong color and impression.
Historical Note:
The Czechoslovak Legions were volunteer forces of over 100,000 Czechs and Slovaks who fought for the Entente in World War I, at times controlling the entire Trans-Siberian Railway during the Russian Civil War. Many gave their lives far from home, leaving behind widows and children in desperate poverty. These semi-postal stamps were issued in 1919 to raise funds directly for the orphans of those fallen heroes - the surcharge above postage going entirely to their support. The poignant design of a mother cradling her child, flanked by swords, captures the grief and sacrifice of the era. A deeply meaningful piece of early Czechoslovak philatelic history.
