Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Seizinger was born in
Hildburghausen, Germany, on 23 March 1889. The town had a rich history in book
printing and engraving and this fascinated the young Karl to such an extent
that he went to the Metzeroth Graphic Institute where he learned to engrave
himself.
Seizinger’s career started in Berlin, where he worked
for the Cartographic Institute until World War One broke out, and Seizinger had
to join the army. After the war, he found that most printing houses in Germany
had switched to typography, and so Seizinger eventually moved to Finland to
work for the Finnish National Bank.
In 1924, Seizinger got a job offer from the
Czechoslovak National Bank which he duly accepted. Moving to Czechoslovakia and
once again engraving banknotes, Seizinger went on to study under the famous graphic
artist Professor Max Svabinsky. He soon got the opportunity to engrave postage
stamps as well, for which he gained instant recognition and praise.
During the remainder of the war, Seizinger lived in
Zagreb where he engraved stamps for Croatia. In 1943, Seizinger engraved what
is now thought to be the most beautiful stamp of Croatia: an engraving after
Vladimir Kirin's painting of St Mary's Church. Seizinger included his secret
trademark, an S, on the sheet stamp in position 22 (of panes of 40). It can be
found in the lower right window pane of the house on the right. The stamp on
the miniature sheet has the same secret trademark, in position 5 of a printing
sheet of six. However, on the miniature sheets it can be found on the sign hanging
to the left of the door of the house on the right.
After the war, Seizinger had to leave once again,
because of his German nationality. This time, he ended up in the Netherlands.
From 1947, he was employed by Enschedé. He was mainly employed to engrave
banknotes though he did also engrave the odd postage stamp.
When the issue of the 1952 Dutch State Mines was in
preparation, the name of Seizinger was mentioned as the ideal engraver.
However, this was vetoed on the grounds that there were plenty of capable Dutch
engravers around, to whom the assignment could be given to.
Seizinger always regretted not being able to engrave
more stamps when at Enschedé. In 1961, he retired at the age of 72. Karl Seizinger
passed away in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on 4 May 1978.
You will find Karl Seizinger's database HERE.
You will find Karl Seizinger's database HERE.