How I Drew Rychlé šípy
Marko Čermák's Artist's Edition of Medals
Marko Čermák (February 14, 1940) is a Czech cartoonist, musician, and tramp, best known for his comic strips Rychlé šípy (a classic Czech comic series first published in 1938) and Modrá pětka and for his musical career in country and bluegrass bands.
He became the illustrator of Rychlé šípy in 1968, when he won a contest to continue the stories written by Jaroslav Foglar, and he went on to illustrate Rychlé šípy for decades. His artistic style shaped the look of Rychlé šípy for future generations of readers.
The purpose of the series How I Drew Rychlé šípy is to introduce collectors to the world of Rychlé šípy through his eyes and his artwork.
How He Became the Illustrator of Rychlé šípy
“Back then, I didn't believe for a second that I could succeed... I spent the night practicing the facial expressions of Rychlé šípy characters, and in the morning I brought them in. Mr. Foglar liked them, so he chose me.“
“I knew that if Mr. Foglar was going to choose me, I had to draw in a style similar to Fischer’s… so I altered my own style. If it hadn’t been for Rychlé šípy, I probably wouldn’t have done it.“
“At first, they wanted us to produce 24 episodes a month… then 12 episodes. Today, I’d be exhausted after just one week.“
He preferred drawing Bratrstvo kočičí pracky to Rychlé šípy themselves.
He used to say with a smile that villains are much more fun to draw because they have more expressive faces and more personality.
He is considered one of the pioneers of Czech bluegrass.
He was a founding member of the legendary Greenhorns and is one of the first Czech players of the five-string banjo.
He often drew Rychlé šípy in his backwoods cabin in the Brdy Mountains.
In that simple cabin, devoid of unnecessary comforts, he created a series of illustrations that are now familiar to generations of readers.
He describes himself as a “nostalgic romantic.”
He claims that romance, nature, and freedom are the values that permeate his entire life and work.
Even after turning 80, he continued to draw, give concerts, go river rafting, and go tramping.
He says he never did his work for fame, but simply because he enjoyed it.
A single signature runs throughout the entire edition.
The reverse side of each product bears Marko Čermák’s mark—a unifying element that ties all the pieces together, even though the front of each one tells a different story.
The Rychlé šípy Gang
Silver Medal
Mirek Dušín, Rychlonožka, Jindra Hojer, Červenáček, and Jarka Metelka. The five who, for decades, taught Czech boys the meaning of friendship.
Marko Čermák imbued his work with his own distinctive style, and to this day he enjoys revisiting these characters in his paintings for collectors.
| Material | Ag 999 |
| Weight | 31.1 g |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Finish | Proof |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Print Run | 500 pieces, numbered |
| Year of Issue | 2026 |
| Embossing | BESSERGOLD Mint s.r.o. |
| Author | Mgr. Petr Horák |
Tleskač's Flying Bike
Gold Medal
A brilliant creation born of a boy's imagination. A bike that could fly.
Tleskač's invention is one of the most iconic props from Rychlé šípy stories and symbolizes the spirit of adventure that accompanied Marko Čermák throughout his life.
| Material | Au 999,9 |
| Weight | 3.49 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Finish | Proof |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Print Run | 100 pieces, numbered |
| Year of Issue | 2026 |
| Embossing | BESSERGOLD Mint s.r.o. |
| Author | Mgr. Petr Horák |
A cover that is part of the story
Each item in the How I Drew Rychlé šípy edition is packaged in a blister pack designed specifically for this collection. The packaging design draws inspiration from the two worlds that have accompanied Marko Čermák throughout his life: his illustrations and his love of tramping.
In addition, each blister pack is numbered according to the limit for that edition, so together with the medal inside, they confirm their uniqueness and together form a complete collector's item.
A cover that is part of the story
Each item in the How I Drew Rychlé šípy edition is packaged in a blister pack designed specifically for this collection. The packaging design draws inspiration from the two worlds that have accompanied Marko Čermák throughout his life: his illustrations and his love of tramping.
In addition, each blister pack is numbered according to the limit for that edition, so together with the medal inside, they confirm their uniqueness and together form a complete collector's item.
