Czech Republic: Natural beauties

 

 

The Czech Republic issued this pair of stamps in 1995 celebrating two large rock formations, under the category of "natural beauties" in that nation. Of course there is no organ present; the basalt formation shown on the 8k stamp looks somewhat like organ pipes. I have included the stamp in this pipe organ stamp inventory for completeness, as this stamp has appeared on "pipe organ" lists for some time. There are several basalt formations that mimic organ pipes. I think this is the only one that features on a postage stamp. The stamps were issued 3 May, 1995. My copies are in mint condition, purchased from County Stamp Center.

Czech Republic: Jakub Jan Ryba

The Czech Republic issued this stamp in 2015, honoring Jakub Jan Ryba (1765-1815). He spent most of his career teaching music and composing. His most famous composition is a Christmas cantata which is still performed in Bohemia. Using the clue "Rozmital" in the Wikipedia source I have been able to track down a little information about the organ shown. The Church of the Holy Cross in "Old Rozmital" seems to be the locale. It is part of a small group of churches including the other where Ryba was employed, in Nepomuk. The organ shown on the parish website seems to match. Some plowing through Czech websites on the organ (varhany) revealed this information about the instrument: I found a bit of information here, including the original (?) specification from 1751. I have not had a chance to explore other Czech resources yet. The church website devotes quite a bit of space to Ryba and some history of the organ. Reading a translation of the website gives some hint of the information available, but organ jargon doesn't translate well! The site suggests that about 75% of the original Martin Palecek instrument (from 1750-1751) remains to this day.

I have a mint copy and a postally used copy of the stamp. I also have a first day of issue cover for the stamp. The cancellation seems to have Ryba's signature included. The cachet shows a line drawing of the exterior of the Holy Cross church and the keydesk of the organ. The FDC is dated 14 October 2015 which is the date for neither Ryba's birth nor death. 

Czech Republic: Cistercian Monastery

This instrument is in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Cistercian Monastery in Plasy, Czech Republic. There is a wiki page dedicated to the instrument, but sadly no pictures are included. This stamp was issued in 2011. It's not clear if the issue of the stamp coincided with any anniversary related to the instrument or its locale. I do not yet have a Scott catalog number for the stamp. The organ was built in 1688 by Abraham Stark of Loket; I have not yet found any more information about him. Most recently in 2000 the organ received a major overhaul from Vladimir Slajch; that coupled with another bit of work 2004-2006 was intended to restore the organ to its 1688 state. The monastery site has lots of photos; I found two of the organ.

There is a wiki for the organ. I was able to gather this information about the specification.

HW

C, D, E, F, G, A-c3

Principal 8

Spillfloöte 8

Salicional 8

Quntatoön 8

Copl Major 8

Copl Minor 4

Fugura 4

Octava 4

Grosse Quint 3

Superoctava 2

Klein Quint 1 1/3

Sedecima 1

Mixtura IV

Cimbln III

RP

Same as HW

Coupla 8

Flaut Minor 4

Principal 4

Octava 2

Spitzflet 2

Quinta 1 ½

Sedesima 1

Mixtura III

Coupler II/I

P

C, D, E, F, G, A-c1

Subbass offen 16

Subbass Gedeckt 16

Octava 8

Quinta 6

Superoctava 4

Mixtura IV

Built 1688 by Czech Abraham Stark from Loket, originally with 29 registers. Greatly altered in the 18^th century, work was also done in the early 20^th century. The most recent work was by Vladimir Slajch during 2004-2006.