From the very outset Slovakia's postage stamp production has aimed to take its place alongside that of countries such as Sweden, Great Britain, Austria, France and Switzerland, who have a long tradition in issuing works of high quality. That this was not an ill-judged ambition is demonstrated by interest in Slovak stamps from philatelists in dozens of countries around the world, by their presence at numerous exhibitions and by the awards received, of which the most important to date is third place in a competition for the world's most beautiful stamp (WIPA, Vienna 19%). For the most part Slovakia's stamps are...