Friday, January 27, 2023

Guinea-Bissau: Bach Anniversary

 


Guinea-Bissau issued this stamp in 2010 to mark the 260th anniversary of the death of JS Bach. The stamp is a single high-value stamp, issued along with a set of five smaller stamps of the composer with various musical instrument, in various poses and in various denominations (not shown). There does not appear to be any specific connection between the composer, and anyone related to Guinea-Bissa. The stamp includes an image of the composer in profiles, and a second contrasting image. In the latter, the composer is seated at an organ console.  In the background is a portion of a console-style piano which would not be appropriate for the time period of the composer. There is some manner of crest near the composer; someone more versed in the topic may know if it's accurate or not. 

Music Boxes, France 2015

 


Francs issued this small sheet of stamps in 2015. If seems that these are each small music boxes. One of them is an ornate pipe organ. The description tells us only, "the organ clock." Once can assume that there is a wind-up mechanism within that provides music of some sort and perhaps some motions. The stamp is gummed, part of a set of 6, and each are denominated .68 Euros. It was issued in 2015. There is a large bar code in the lower left corner presumably for tracking and sales information. The reverse of the sheet is completely blank. I have not tried to identify the location of the various instruments. 

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Equatorial Guinea: Famous people

 


Equatorial Guinea issued a set of three stamps in 1996 honoring three diverse famous people. Those depicted are Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), and Giovanni Tiepolo 1696-1770). The year of issue, 1996, was an anniversary year for each of these persons. There seems to be no other connection between these figures and that nation. Scott does not give a more specific issue date other than 1996 for this set (SNC 217a, b, c). There was a higher-denominated souvenir sheet issued as part of the set; I do not have an example of that. The three stamps were issued together: most collectors maintain them as a strip of three attached stamps. Bruckner is shown in front of an organ facade. I believe it is the St Florian Monastery instrument, closely associated with him.

Czech Republic: Natural beauties

 

 

The Czech Republic issued this pair of stamps in 1995 celebrating two large rock formations, under the category of "natural beauties" in that nation. Of course there is no organ present; the basalt formation shown on the 8k stamp looks somewhat like organ pipes. I have included the stamp in this pipe organ stamp inventory for completeness, as this stamp has appeared on "pipe organ" lists for some time. There are several basalt formations that mimic organ pipes. I think this is the only one that features on a postage stamp. The stamps were issued 3 May, 1995. My copies are in mint condition, purchased from County Stamp Center.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Burundi: Composers, 2011

 


Burundi issued sheet of stamps in 2011. It is four stamps in a mini-sheet. My version is not perforated. I am fairly certain a perforated version is available. This sheet is Scott #975. It shows Amadeus Mozart with a keyboard and musical score; Beethoven with organ pipes; Antonio Vivaldi with a violin; and Chopin with a piano. It seems there were also issued a set of 4 individual stamps, #971-974 showing the same composers but with different background elements. (Hans Timmerman's site shows the Beethoven stamp as a sheetlet of four identical stamps. It is denominated 1020 francs, rather than 1090 as described in Scott, and it has the same background (pipes) instead of the monument described in the catalog.) It may be possible to discern what organ is shown in the Beethoven stamp, but I am not able to figure it out. My version is in mint condition, from County Stamp Center.

Aruba: Cultural Year, 2008

 


Aruba issued this stamp (Scott #317) in March 2008 for the Arubian Cultural year. It is part of a set of four, the second value in the set. the other stamps show various celebrations and dancing. The present stamp shows a positif organ with two musicians. It is not possible to discern any more about the instrument shown.

Cameroun: Christmas 1972

 


Cameroun (Cameroon) issued this stamp as part of a set of 2 for Christmas in 1972. Both show paintings of Mary, mother of Jesus. Both are airmail stamps. The 45-franc stamp is a painting by Cimabue. This stamp shows "The Virgin of the Rose Arbor," by Stefan Lochner. There is an angel playing a small portatif organ in the LL corner. Other angels playing other instruments are seated around the blue-robed Madonna. Scott #C194 was issued December 21, 1972. My copy is unused.