Monday, January 21, 2019

Czech Republic 2018 - The Castle Guard


Technical Details:

Date of Issue: 05 December 2018
Face Value: 19,00 CZK
Print sheets: 50 stamps
Size Stamp: 23 mm x 40 mm

Method of Printing: Multicoloured Offset
Graphic Designer: Petr Minka

A Castle Guard Member

The Castle Guard is a brigade-type military unit organised into the command and staff, 1st battalion, 2nd battalion, Castle Guard orchestra, and support company. The Castle Guard command is a body directly controlling, commanding and coordinating the activities of the subordinated sub-units, divisions and departments. The staff uses the operations division and the support division to manage all operations of the sub-units. The purpose of the 1st and 2nd battalion companies is to guard Prague Castle, Lány Chateau and other buildings temporarily used to house the Czech president and his guests and to secure their defence in emergency situations. They are also used as security guards during representative and ceremonial events. The Castle Guard Orchestra plays at all ceremonial events directly connected with the exercise of powers of the Czech president, such as commemorative ceremonies in the territory of the Czech Republic. The support company provides support to Castle Guard units to help them perform their main tasks. The company is divided into the transport squad, accompanying and protecting squad, security squad, and dog squad. On 7 December 1918, the Command of the Army of the Czechoslovak Republic set up an infantry unit, subordinated to Prague’s 28th infantry regiment, as the first military unit in the history whose mission was to secure military guard of Prague Castle. On 31 January 1990, the Czechoslovak Federal Assembly passed a bill to establish the Administration for Protection of the Czechoslovak President and the Castle Guard from 1 February 1990. The essential difference was the transfer of the Castle Guard from the Ministry of the Interior to the National Defence Ministry, with direct subordination to the commander of the President’s Military Office. The law also set the guard’s tasks. The Castle Guard also provides security during the annual Prague Castle Open Days in May and October and helps guard the Czech crown jewels during their displays at Prague Castle. Its further activities include regular parades on the 3rd courtyard of Prague Castle and concerts of the Castle Guard Orchestra near the Powder Tower.

The postage stamp is issued both in the form of sheets and as a book of 8 stamps and 4 coupons.

Note: A stamp identified with the letter A corresponding to the price of Ordinary Letter – Standard up to 50 g in domestic service 

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