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Philatelic journal

A competition that celebrates the beauty and creativity of philately

The International Art Competition for the World’s Most Beautiful Stamp is a prestigious event that recognises the artistic qualities of postage stamps. The competition is open to postal administrations, artists and designers from all over the world and gives them the opportunity to showcase their talent and vision on an international platform.

Focus on the artistic aspects of philately

The competition focuses on the artistic aspects of philately. The design originality, aesthetic quality, technical execution and overall impression of the stamp are evaluated. The competition categories allow a stamp to be judged from many perspectives, from the artistic design to the technique used to the printing and innovative contribution.

Beauty and creativity awards

The International Art Competition for the World’s Most Beautiful Stamp is a great opportunity for postal administrations, artists and designers to share their passion for philately and receive recognition for their work. The winners of the competition are awarded with prestigious prizes at a gala act that is part of the International Sberatel / Collector Fair in Prague, Czech Republic.

The winners of the Praga Ars Philatelica international competition for the world’s most beautiful stamp have been announced

Eleven postal administrations took part in the first year of the competition, which celebrates the beauty and creativity of philately.  The award ceremony took place at the Sberatel international fair, held on September 5–6 in Prague.

The aim of the Praga Ars Philatelica competition is to highlight the artistic value of philately. It is open to postal administrations, artists, and designers from around the world.

Postal administrations can compete in nine categories, with the top three prizes awarded in each category. The evaluation focuses on the artistic aspect of the stamps, assessing the originality of the design, aesthetics, technical execution, and overall visual impression.

The division into categories allows postal stamps to be viewed from different angles – from artistic design and the technologies used to innovative approaches to their creation and the printing techniques used.

The competition is organized by the Sberatel trade fair and the Postal Museum in Prague.

„The aim of the competition is to promote postage stamp design and philately among the general public, so that the art of postage stamps receives attention outside the collector community. Last but not least, the competition also aims to showcase the work of the teams of people who design, create, and sell stamps and their irreplaceable role for the postal administrations themselves and their founders, i.e., the state,“ said Jindřich Jirásek, director of the Sběratel trade fair.

Representatives of postal administrations who participated in the Sberatel fair as exhibitors came to receive their awards in person.

From January 2026, it will be possible to enter stamps issued in 2025 into the competition. The winners will be announced on September 4, 2026, in Prague as part of the international Sberatel fair.

The most beautiful offset stamp
POST OF SLOVENIA
The most beautiful engraved stamp – STAMP ISSUING OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO
The most beautiful stamp printed by another technique – PHILATELY LIECHTENSTEIN
The most beautiful engraved sheet – SLOVAK POST
The most interesting design achievement – UKRAINIAN POST
Innovative stamp – PHILATELY LIECHTENSTEIN
The most beautiful sheet – CZECH POST
The most beautiful sheet – CZECH POST
Special category: Architecture on stamps – UNITED NATIONS POSTAL ADMINISTRATION

Category: The most beautiful engraved stamp

Vyšehradská madona 1st place

Vyšehradská madona

Czech Post

Author
Tomáš Říha/Václav Fajt
Print
Tiskarna Hradistko
www.ceskaposta.cz
THE ART OF INTAGLIO POSTAGE STAMP ENGRAVING 2nd place

THE ART OF INTAGLIO POSTAGE STAMP ENGRAVING

OFFICE DES EMISSIONS DE TIMBRES-POSTE DE MONACO

Author
Pierre ALBUISSON
Print
PHILAPOSTE FRANCE
www.oetp-monaco.com
Nature Protection: The Collection of Butterflies in the Museum of Central Slovakia, Banská Bystrica 3rd place

Nature Protection: The Collection of Butterflies in the Museum of Central Slovakia, Banská Bystrica

Slovenská pošta, a.s.

Author
akad. mal Karol Felix, Mgr. art. Jozef Česla
Print
Tiskárna Hradištko, s.r.o.
www.pofis.sk

Category: The most interesting design achievement

postage block “ART vs WAR. James ?olomina” 1st place

postage block “ART vs WAR. James ?olomina”

Ukrainian post

Author
Kostiantyn Lapushen
Print
SE “Integrated Printing Plant “Ukraina” for Production of Securities”
www.ukrposhta.com
A love letter 2nd place

A love letter

Česká pošta, s.p.

Author
Pasta Oner
Print
Tiskárna Hradištko
www.ceskaposta.cz
FAUNA - FOX 3rd place

FAUNA - FOX

POST OF SLOVENIA

Author
Špela Obreza Košir
Print
Agencija za komercijalnu djelatnost d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
www.posta.si

Category: The most beautiful offset stamp

Northern Gannet 1st place

Northern Gannet

Posta Faroe Islands

Author
Posta Faroe Islands
Print
Cartor Security Printers, France
www.stamps.fo
Jersey Sky at Night - Tulip Nebula 2nd place

Jersey Sky at Night - Tulip Nebula

Jersey Post

Author
Jersey Post
Print
bpost, Belgium
jerseystamps.com
Eurasian lynx 3rd place

Eurasian lynx

RUE Belpochta

Author
Artist: Aliaksandr Mitsianin. Design: Maryna Krezo
Print
Republican Unitary Enterprise “Bobruisk Integrated Printing House named after A.T. Nepogodin”
belpost.by

Category: The most beautiful stamp / miniature sheet printed by another technique

Dancheong, Korean Traditional Multicolored Paintwork(S/S) 1st place

Dancheong, Korean Traditional Multicolored Paintwork(S/S)

KOREA POST

Author
Ryu Jihyung (Designer)
Print
Cartor
stamp.epost.go.kr
Edelweiß reloaded 2nd place

Edelweiß reloaded

Österreichische Post AG

Author
Hämmerle & Vogel GmbH & Co KG
www.post.at
Dove of Peace 3rd place

Dove of Peace

Philately Liechtenstein

Author
Peter Vogel
Print
Hämmerle & Vogel GmbH & Co KG
www.philatelie.li

Category: Innovative stamp product

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! 1st place

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

RUE Belpochta

Author
Design: Maryna Krezo
Print
Republican Unitary Enterprise “Bobruisk Integrated Printing House named after A.T. Nepogodin”
belpost.by
Crypto Stamp - Croatian Football Legends 2nd place

Crypto Stamp - Croatian Football Legends

CROATIAN POST

Author
Ivana VUČIĆ and Tomislav-Jurica KAĆUNIĆ, designers from Zagreb
Print
AKD d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
www.epostshop.hr
Souvenir sheet "To Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis - 150" 3rd place

Souvenir sheet "To Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis - 150"

PLC Lietuvos paštas

Author
Irma Balakauskait?
Print
SIA "Baltijas Banknote"
www.post.lt

Category: The most beautiful sheet

Comic Art in Malta 2025 - Diabolik 1st place

Comic Art in Malta 2025 - Diabolik

MaltaPost p.l.c

Author
Riccardo Nunziati - Copyright: Astorina srl
Print
Printex
www.maltaphilately.com
Woodland strawberry 2nd place

Woodland strawberry

RUE Belpochta

Author
Artist: Aliaksandr Mitsianin. Design: Maryna Krezo
Print
Republican Unitary Enterprise “Bobruisk Integrated Printing House named after A.T. Nepogodin”
belpost.by

Category: The most beautiful miniature sheet

Pearls of Kyrgyz Nature. Kulun Lakes 1st place

Pearls of Kyrgyz Nature. Kulun Lakes

Kyrgyz Express Post

Author
Vladislav Ushakov, Daria Maier
stamps.kg
Illustrations of Bulgarian Fairy Tales 2nd place

Illustrations of Bulgarian Fairy Tales

Bulgarian Post

Author
Deya Valcheva,
Print
Bulgarska Philatelia & Numismatika
www.bgpost.bg
Healing and Aromatic Flora 3rd place

Healing and Aromatic Flora

Post of Kosovo

Author
Hyrije Ademi
www.postakosoves.com

Category: Architecture on stamps

950 YEARS OF SZOLNOK 1st place

950 YEARS OF SZOLNOK

Hungarian Post Ltd.

Author
Mr Barnabás BATICZ
Print
Banknote Printing Co., Ltd., Hungary
www.posta.hu
Castles of Croatia 2025 2nd place

Castles of Croatia 2025

CROATIAN POST

Author
Dean ROKSANDIĆ, designer from Zagreb
Print
AKD d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
www.epostshop.hr
Cities of Kosova - Janjeva 3rd place

Cities of Kosova - Janjeva

Post of Kosovo

Author
Milot Krasniqi
www.postakosoves.com

Category: Another product with a stamp

200 Years of the first public rail journey 1st place

200 Years of the first public rail journey

Philately Liechtenstein

Author
René Wolfinger
Print
Gutenberg AG
www.philatelie.li
Croatian Fauna - Freshwater Fish: The European Catfish (Maximum Card) 2nd place

Croatian Fauna - Freshwater Fish: The European Catfish (Maximum Card)

CROATIAN POST

Author
Sabina REŠIĆ, designer from Zagreb
Print
AKD d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
www.epostshop.hr
Beauties of Our Country: Hluboká Castle 3rd place

Beauties of Our Country: Hluboká Castle

Česká pošta, s.p.

Author
Petr Minka
Print
Tiskárna Hradištko
www.ceskaposta.cz

Category: The most beautiful engraved miniature sheet

Personalities of the Slovak National Theatre 1st place

Personalities of the Slovak National Theatre

Slovenská pošta, a,s.

Author
akad. mal. Rudolf Cigánik
Print
Tiskárna Hradištko, s.r.o.
www.pofis.sk
Works of Art on Postage Stamps: Václav Hollar – Ship Engravings 2nd place

Works of Art on Postage Stamps: Václav Hollar – Ship Engravings

Česká pošta, s.p.

Author
Martin Srb
Print
Tiskárna Hradištko
www.ceskaposta.cz

Category: The most beautiful FDC

Spiders of Kyrgyzstan 1st place

Spiders of Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz Express Post

Author
Dmitry Milko, Daria Maier
stamps.kg
Arabic Calligraphy 2nd place

Arabic Calligraphy

Jordan post Company

Author
Elham Nasser for Printing & Design Est
Print
Elham Nasser for Printing & Design Est
jordanpost.com.jo
National Archaeological Discoveries 3rd place

National Archaeological Discoveries

Georgian Post

Author
Baadur Koblianidze
Print
Cartor Security Printers
gpost.ge

Special category Architecture on stamps

Prague, known as the „City of a Hundred Spires“, is an architectural jewel where different styles and eras come together.

From the majestic Prague Castle with the Romanesque St. Vitus Basilica and the Gothic Cathedral, through the picturesque streets of the Old Town with its Renaissance and Baroque townhouses, the Romantic Art Nouveau of the time of Alfons Mucha to modern buildings in the style of Functionalism and Cubism, which has its roots in Prague.

Prague’s architecture is a real feast for the eyes and will enchant any lover of history, art and beauty.

That is why the Praga Ars Philatelica competition has a separate category for architecture on stamps. Every year, thousands of stamps are issued all over the world, preserving the appearance of famous buildings from different periods for future generations. And they should be rewarded for it.

Questions and Answers

FAQ

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

What stamp issues can be in the competition?

The competition is open to stamps issued from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

When is the deadline for submitting stamps?

The deadline for the submission of stamps is 1. July 2026.

Who can participate in the competition

The competition is open to the postal administrations and to the authors of the stamps themselves, artists, engravers or graphic studios that participated in their creation. 

Which stamps can be entered into the competition

The competition is open to stamps that were issued in the year the competition is judging (currently 2025), were actually realised and are in circulation.

What are the fees for entering the competition

There are no fees associated with entering the competition. The purpose of the competition is primarily to popularize the beauty of philately among the general public and to encourage stamp collecting.

In what form can the competition stamps be entered

Stamps can be submitted electronically.

Can I enter a stamp or sheet in multiple categories?

Yes, a stamp or sheet can be entered in multiple categories.

Who organizes the competition

The competition is organized by the International Fair Sberatel / Collector together with the Postal Museum in Prague. The Sberatel / Collector Fair has been held in the Czech Republic since 1998. It is the largest gathering of collectors in Central and Eastern Europe, attended by 230 exhibitors from dozens of countries and over 10,000 visitors. 

The Postal Museum Prague was founded at the end of 1918 and houses the greatest treasures of Czech and Czechoslovak philately. In addition, it organizes a number of interesting exhibitions.

When will the announcement take

The award ceremony will take place on 4. September 2026 at the 29th International Sberatel / Collector Fair, which will be held in Prague at the PVA Expo Fairground.
The winners can collect their prizes in person or they will be sent by post.

Jury

The international competition jury is composed of experienced artists, designers and masters of the printing craft.

Postal Administration category

Categories where postal administrations can enter their stamps.

  • The most beautiful offset stamp
  • The most beautiful engraved stamp
  • The most beautiful stamp printed by another technique
  • The most beautiful engraved sheet
  • The most interesting design achievement
  • Innovative stamp
  • The most beautiful sheet
  • The most beautiful FDC
Category AUTHOR’S

The category where individual authors or graphic studios can submit their stamps.

  • The most beautiful stamp
  • The most beautiful FDC
  • Most interesting design work
Special category: Architecture on stamps

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COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Postal Administration category
Categories where postal administrations can enter their stamps.
Category AUTHOR'S
The category where individual authors or graphic studios can submit their stamps.
Special category: Architecture on stamps
Another product with a stamp
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB, Max. files: 5.
    postal administration, author, graphic studio, etc.

    Contact person for the application

    (Required)

    Having trouble submitting your application or form?
    We will be happy to help you!

    Ella Egermajerova
    event coordinator
    ella@sberatel.info

    Jindrich Jirasek
    event manager
    jirasek.jindrich@sberatel.info
    phone –  00420 602 236 557

    ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC

    • You can find it right in the heart of Europe
    • Borders Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia
    • Is part of the European Union and the Schengen area, which allows the free movement of people and goods across borders
    • Was part of Czechoslovakia until 1993
    • Has over 10 million inhabitants
    • It is one of the safest countries in the world
    • The Czech Republic is home to Škoda cars, Pilsner Urquell beer, Becherovka liqueur or the shoe brand Bata

    ABOUT PRAGUE

    • One of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
    • Features monuments from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Deco periods
    • Has excellent public transport, a range of top restaurants, romantic cafes and a varied shopping scene
    • In Prague you could meet Emperor Rudolf II, writer Franz Kafka, painter Alfons Mucha, director Miloš Forman, footballer Pavel Nedvěd and hockey player Jaromír Jágr

    ABOUT THE SBERATEL / COLLECTOR FAIR

    • Founded in 1998
    • The largest multidisciplinary gathering of collectors of stamps, coins, medals, banknotes, postcards and other collectibles in Europe
    • Each year hosts over 220 exhibitors from 35 countries, including postal administrations, mints, auction houses and dealers
    • 10,000 visitors from all over the world regularly come to the fair
    • Women and children are admitted free of charge
    • You can read the complete history of the event in the book published on its 25th anniversary

    • Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is often referred to as the „Golden Heart of Europe“ due to its rich history, beautiful architecture and romantic atmosphere.

    • According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest continuous castle complex in the world. It covers an area of almost 70,000 m² and its history dates back to the 9th century. The castle includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the traditional coronation and final resting place of Czech kings.

    • The Old Town Square in the centre of Prague is dominated by the Old Town Hall with one of the oldest working astronomical clocks in the world. The square is also home to Týn Cathedral, an important Gothic building and one of the oldest churches in Prague.

    • Prague is an excellent place for shopping. Pařížská Street is considered to be the most luxurious shopping street in Prague with many world-class shops. There are also Shopping Malls with dozens of shops in the wider centre. Prague is also known for its beautiful arcades where you can find small fashion and accessories boutiques, bookstores and cafes.

    • The traditional Czech pub has its own unique atmosphere. Wooden tables and benches, dark wood, old photographs on the walls – all this creates a feeling of comfort and homeliness. Czech beer and dumplings, pork knee, goulash – these are just some of the many specialties you can enjoy in the pub.

    • Every year, 10,000 visitors from all over the world come to the Sberatel fair. Collectors, dealers and people looking for interesting alternative investments come to Prague.

    • Over 220 exhibitors from dozens of countries participate in the fair. They offer a wide range of collectibles, from postage stamps, rare coins and banknotes to old postcards and books to small antique goods.

    • Postal administrations, mints, auction houses and leading dealers from all over the world sell their wares at Sberatel. The fair also hosts various side events such as lectures, workshops and artists‘ autograph sessions.