© Slovak Post, 2006 Various comical puppet theatre characters that in Europe can be traced back as far as the 13th – 14th centuries culminate in a single figure – a middle age clown. After the rise of the commedie dell’arte tradition in 14th century in Italy, the clown finds its way into several European countries and quickly adapts to local conditions. Each nation adds something from its natural character, environment, and education. In Slovakia, Gašparko (Silly Billy) became the most typical character of traditional puppet theatre. Of all his European brothers, Gašparko is the most lyrical, most delicate, least vulgar, and has a sense for justice. That in Slovakia Gašparko is depicted as a bandit or redresser of injustice may be the result of the long-term oppression of the Slovak nation where consolation was found only in dreams about heroism. Consequently, he was metamorphised from the originally comic figure of a gnome into a little naughty boy. Gašparko performed in almost every traditional puppet theatre performance. Mostly as a houseman, often as a clown or a squire, later as a wanderer, roamer, and tradesman. His partners related to his persona: a king, a knight, a prince, a princess, a witch, a magician, devils, watermen, dragons, and the Deaths. His wife is called Žabinka (Little Frog) and their horse is Miško, together they provide entertainment up to this time. The puppet of Gašparko pictured on the stamp is 48 cm tall, carved from limewood, and dressed in textile. Its creator is F. Ilčík and it was made for the puppeteer Bohuslav Anderle in 1936 for his set of big puppets. This puppet belongs to the private collection of Anton Anderle. Anton Anderle.