Issues of polish stamps IV/1998
 
   

200th anniversary of the birth of Adam Mickiewicz
   


No. of stamps: 4 + block
Values: PLN 0.55; 0.65; 0.90; 1.20; 2.45
Paper: fluorescent
Printing technology: offset
Size: PLN 0.55; 0.65; 0.90; 1.20 - 43 x 31.25mm
 PLN 2.45 - 31.25 x 39.5 mm
 numbered block - 61 x 75 mm
Issue: a' 1,000,000 pcs
   block: 600,000 pcs
Sales sheet: 20 pcs
Designer: Janusz Wysocki
Date of circulation: December 24th, 1998
 
   
A great Romantic poet, considered to be the national poet, put on a pedestal, possessing his fixed position among books to be obligatorily read at schools and to be present in every library. During the jubilee year of Mickiewicz, it is worth to come back to the book so well known from the school times. To dedust "Ballads and Romances", to check the knowledge about the invocation in "Pan Tadeusz".

The poet wanted to reach average homes and he did so in fact, so he deserves to be rediscovered. Maybe you will become enchanted with his wonder world full of strange things, ghosts, but also simple truths, even that
"woe betide him who violates an oath,
woe betide his evil spirit!"

We hope the series of stamps prepared by the Polish Post will be a wonderful occasion to remind several most important works of Adam Mickiewicz. A beautiful series of stamps in foggy-blue shades was prepared at the co-operation with Mr. Jacek Chromy from the Museum of Literature in Warsaw, whom we would like to thank for it.

You will see a fragment of a sculpture by Jean David d'Angers, representing the head of Adam Mickiewicz in the right-hand upper corner of all the stamps. Moreover, the stamps will present:
- PLN 0.55 - a romantic night landscape with a moon and the picture of Maryla Wereszczakówna, the poet's muse, as well as a quotation from "Romantyczno¶ć": "Have a heart and look into the heart";
- PLN 0.65 - a key of cranes flying over the steppe, ruins of the tomb of Maria Potocka in the background, as well as a quotation from the sonnet "Stepy akermańskie": "Let's go, nobody calls us!";
- PLN 0.90 - burning candles and a shade of a cross, with a quotation from the third part of "Dziady": "My name is Milijon";
- PLN 1.20 - a nobleman's house surrounded with field flowers, an uhlan's cap, and a quotation from "Pan Tadeusz": "Among such fields several years ago";
- PLN 2.45 - a sculpture representing the poet by Jean David d'Angers. There is also a fragment of the hand-written copy of "Pan Tadeusz" with the poet's signature and Gorzeński's Palace in ¦miełowo, where there is housed the Museum of Adam Mickiewicz at present.

Three FDC envelopes representing A. Mickiewicz's prayer-book and his pen, ink-pot, tinder-box, and candlestick accompanying the stamps will be also interesting. A special date seal shall be applied in the Post Office Warsaw 1 on the day of introducing the stamps into the circulation.
       

 
   

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENERAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
   

No. of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 1.20
Paper: fluorescent
Printing technology: offset
Size: 39.5 x 31.25 mm
Issue: 700,000 pcs
Sheet: 20 pcs
Designer: Wojciech Freudenreich
Date of circulation: December 10th, 1998
 
   
All people are born free and equal in their dignity and rights - this is the beginning of art. 1 of the General Declaration of Human Rights adopted on December 10th, 1948, by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Resolution was not a legally binding treaty, but only an expression of the political will of the states. However, it was rendered in the legislature of numerous countries.

The Declaration is a universal act because its provisions refer to human beings, irrespectively of their race, sex, language, religion, and political views, nationality, social origin, properties, or any other differences.

The purpose of the Declaration includes the assurance of a general acceptance and guarantee of a certain minimum of rights to every person by all states. The Declaration was adopted by almost all the international society. Thus it can be assumed that it expresses basic and general humane values and aspirations.

Due to the anniversary this year, the Polish Post shall introduce a stamp into the market representing an official logo of the 50th anniversary of the General Declaration of Human Rights. Persons interested in it will be also able to purchase First Day Circulation (FDC) envelopes with a special date seal applied in the Post Office Warsaw 1.
       

 
   

CHRISTMAS
   

Number of stamps: 2
Value: PLN 0.55, 0.65
Print technology: rotogravure
Size: 31.25 x 39.5 mm
Issue: 6.000.000 pcs
Sales sheet: 50 pcs
Paper: fluorescent
Designer: Janusz Wysocki
Date of circulation: November 27th, 1998
 
   
Due to the coming Christmas season, the Polish Post prepared postal stamps that can be used by customers to send season wishes to their friends, family, and acquaintances. We decided to seek designs among Medieval sources, whose rich collection is housed in the National Museum in Warsaw. Mr. Władysław Ło¶, custodian, was our guide in the Medieval Art. Gallery. A 14th century polyptych from Grudzi±dz aroused our special interest among all the beautiful sculptures and pictures. Two scenes: the birth of Jesus Christ and the visit of the Three Kings are presented in the stamps.
 
An FDC envelope with a special date seal shall be sold on the fist day of the circulation in the Post Office Warsaw 1.
       

 
   

80TH ANNIVERSARY OF RECOVERING INDEPENDENCE BY POLAND
   

Number of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 0.65
Print technology: offset
Size: 43 x 31.25 mm
Issue: 800.000 pcs
Sales sheet: 20 pcs
Paper: fluorescent
Designer: Andrzej Heidrich
Date of circulation: November 11th, 1998
 
   
November 11th, 1918, is one of the most important dates in the history of the Polish nation. An excellent day which was the strive of several generations of Poles, starting with everyday fights for the Polish language at schools and offices, up to the bloody uprisings. The anniversary of regaining the independence by Poland will be celebrated by the Polish Post by means of issuing a postal stamp. Andrzej Heidrich, eminent plastician-artist, is the author of the beautiful design. Professor Stefan K. Kuczyński from the Institute of History at the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) played an important role in the preparation of the issue as well. We would like to thank him for it.

The white-and-red stamp represents the White Eagle according to the design from the seal of the Republic of Poland of 1919, surrounded by national flags. Józef Piłsudski surrounded by members of Jędrzej Moraczewski's government is represented on the FDC envelope accompanying the stamp. A special date seal shall be applied on the first day of the circulation in the Post Office Warsaw 1.
       

 
   

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONTIFICATE OF JOHN PAUL II
   

No. of stamps: 1
face value: PLN 0.65
size of the stamp: 31.25 x 39.5 mm
paper: fluorescent 
printing technology: offset
sales sheet: 20 stamps
issue: 800,000 pcs
designer: Wiesław Wałkuski
date of introduction: October 16th, 1998
 
   
Karol Wojtyła, elected the Pope on October 16th, 1978, was nicknamed "Pope-Pilgrim" thanks to his numerous trips and meetings and believers all over the world. The opening towards the dialogue with the world and followers of other religions, numerous pilgrims, appeals for peace and a dignified attitude of people - these are the main features of the pontificate of John Paul II. The future Pope was born on May 18th, 1920, in Wadowice at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. His youth was marked by the Second World War, a hard work in the quarries, studies of the Polish philology at the Yagiellonian University and the Seminar in Kraków. He was consecrated to be a priest in 1946, and appointed professor of theology and social ethics when he was 33. Then further titles, distinctions, and publications about the human dignity, the essence of love, ethics, and anthropology of philosophy. Among the numerous interests and passions of the Pope, books and mountains have always played an important role. His literary output includes poems, meditation poems, and dramas, e.g. "At the Jewellery Shop", "Brother of Our God" about the life of St. Adalbert.  The mountains beloved by the Pope are not only the place of his trips, but mainly of concentration, rest, and reflection - it closer to the God in the mountains.

The Polish Post has already made several publications about the Pope. In the case of the stamp presented this year, the Pope has been presented among persons of difference races and religions. Because it is a human being who is the subject of the special worry and prayer of John Paul II, the Pope above all the divisions.

On the day of introducing the stamps there will be available an envelope of the first day circulation for sale (FDC) with a special date seal in the Post Office Kraków 1.
       

 
   

WORLD-WIDE DAY OF THE POST
   

No. of stamps: 1
face value: PLN 0.65
size of the stamp: 31.25 x 39.5 mm
paper: fluorescent 
printing technology: offset
issue: 1,000,000 pcs
sales sheet: 20 stamps
designer: Mieczysław Wasilewski
date of introduction: October 9th, 1998
 
   
Employees of the Polish Post have been celebrating the Day of the Stamp on October 9th for over forty years, and the World-Wide Day of the Post since 1984. This day the Polish Post would like to remind and stress the importance of the role played by it as a public utility enterprise and popularise ideas of collecting stamps and writing letters, which are the oldest and probably the most beautiful forms of the interpersonal communication. The stamp which shall be introduced at the occasion represents a colour rosette made of postal envelopes. On the day of introducing the stamps there will be available an envelope of the first day circulation for sale (FDC) with a special date seal in the Post Office Warsaw 1.
       

 
   

SIGISMUND III VASA
   

No. of stamps: 1
face value: PLN 1.20
paper: fluorescent 
printing technology: one-colour engraving
sales sheet: 50 stamps
size of the stamp: 31.25 x 43 mm
issue: 1,300,000 pcs
designer: Andrzej Heidrich
author of the engraving: Czesław Słania
date of introduction: October 3rd, 1998
 
   
We would like to present the portrait of Sigismund III Vasa by an artist representing the Rubens school, housed in the castle of Gripsholm, on a joint Polish-Swedish stamp. It was there the future King of Poland and Sweden, offspring of two huge royal families, the Yagiellonians and the Vasas, was born. He was elected King of Poland in 1587 and started the nearly 100-year long period of the reigns of the Vasa's dynasty in the Commonwealth of Poland (Rzeczpospolita). The two countries were connected by a personal union for seven years thanks to him.  The art lover and sponsor was marked in the history of Warsaw. He erected the Royal Castle and made the little known city become a residence of Polish kings.

Today Sigismund III Vasa, holding a sword and a cross in his hands, looks at the Old Town from a column located in Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square). His person marked his perpetual presence in the history of the two countries and the landscape of Warsaw. 

The day of introducing the stamps into the market will have a special character both in Poland and in Sweden. There will be issued a special carnet containing stamps issued by the Polish and Swedish party.

On the day of introducing the stamps there will be available an envelope of the first day circulation for sale (FDC) with a special date seal in the Post Office Warsaw 1.