Exhibits

George Zelwinder

“GROSZY” Provisional Issues of Poland 1950 – 1952

 Historical Background:
“GROSZY Overprints, used for only 18 months, created a very unique part of Polish Philately. This exhibit displays all officially approved district overprints as well as small local offices that made their own creations for overprinting. The structure of this exhibit follows accepted rules established by well known philatelist Mr. S. Mikstein in 1952.

Scope:
Fifty years have passed since the original issue of the ‘GROSZY overprints and it is still easy to find official district types.
Some of the district types were seldom used and are difficult to find.
Local overprints are extremely difficult to find as they were issued by smaller local post offices. overprints were issued in hundreds not millions like the district issues. It is nearly impossible to get a complete collection if the local overprints are to be included.
No official notice of postal rates are known. Postal rates changed frequently and were not recorded.

Material Availability:
This exhibit is the result of 30 years of patient collecting. The collection is 99.9% complete, missing only Type 29 from Gracze. Commercial mail is shown where available otherwise philatelic inspired material is used.

Philatelic Elements:
There are two sections in this exhibit:

  • District Types (1-26B)
  • Local Types (27A-49)

PaPhilatelic Research:
Collaborated with fellow collectors in Poland to update Philatelic knowledge.

Highlights:
I dare say that this is the best “GROSZY exhibit ever shown in this country. There have been some exhibits with District types only, but never with Local types included. Starting with Local type 27A, this section contains many Gems”, including a hand written letter from postmaster of Wielka Wies na Helu with two stamps. This original letter is reproduced in reference catalog: Polish Postal Marks, V.
Il, Ruch 1960, page 430.

All throughout the Local section are collectors dreams. For many of these there are only a few in existence. e.g. covers Rzeszow T – 36 with stamp #171 Skolimow T – 44! Loniow T – 48!  All significant items are expertized.

References:

  • Fischer catalog 2008, pp 99, 359-364. (enclosed)
  • 1960 set of Polish Postal Marks, Ruch. Vol II pp
  • Kolakowsk’s book 1952 New York is commonly used but is out of date.
  • Past Polonus Bulletins have many pages on “GROSZY subject.