For long period I didn't have time to "search" my stock with material that are available for sale, and today, simply, working around stamp, I "catch" this item at first sight! I don't know why, but it come like "star" - gravure, color, and composition of author, this beautiful block can tell us lot!
Michel block 38, Scott 2197,
issued on 1978, Sept.12, originally, it is block 37, but additional imprit is made on the side of sheet for entrance ticket PRAGA Philatelic Exhibition - this inscription is main difference between two block, and yes - difference in prices also!
What "catch" my eye is main picture of Tiziano, and choice of author, to made two stamp out from this picture, where we have violinist (Apolon escorter), and King Midas. Music and death, King and escorter to death, King's thinking about punishment, beautiful lady taking skin of Apolon, with another devil bringing water to the scene - You can actually, sit against this issue (better against original picture, but...) and practicing Your feeling in art! Color in use, this finest expression of artist, it must be fascinating in original! I think, that this issue MUST be in every serious collection.
Prices have it different from Scott and Michel - they usually have it because market covering each territory of catalogue. Michel in Europe have an value of 40.00 euro for this block, that are much more higher that first block 37 (have it at 15.00 euro), and Scott in USA valued it at
just 25.00 $ - difference are great, but when I checked my evidence how much was sold from initial stock of 50 pcs before one year - I see that is left just 11 pcs - main market in Europe valued it well - in USA I sold just two copy - not enought for serious market - probably most collector need just basic issue and not this one imprinted.
I lok at quantity printed, and Michel tell us that it is 233700 copy imprinted, 371100 without inscription - not big quantity today, but probably, when it was Czechoslovakia it was enought for collectors around globe.
I wish to everyone serious collectors think about this issue - it is fascinating!
