The Polish Post and the Vatican Post presented a unique stamp featuring Nicolaus Copernicus
A joint philatelic issue by the Polish Post and the Vatican Post, commemorating Nicolaus Copernicus, was officially unveiled at the Apostolic Nunciature in Warsaw. This is the third Polish Post issue this year, commemorating the 550th anniversary of the birth of our distinguished compatriot.
The stamp was presented by Salvatore Pennacchia, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, and representatives of the management board of Poczta Polska: President Krzysztof Falkowski and Wiesław Włodek, vice-president responsible for philatelic activities.
The graphic design for this philatelic item was inspired by Jan Matejko's work, "Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, or Conversation with God," from 1873 and held at the Jagiellonian University Museum. This famous painting was created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the astronomer's birth. The work depicts our great compatriot observing the sky from his private tower, located on Frombork Cathedral Hill. With this special philatelic item, Poczta Polska has also decided to recognize another patron of 2023, the artist, the eminent Jan Matejko. The painter was known for his admiration for the great astronomer's achievements, which was also reflected in his artistic legacy.
This year's philatelic values of the issue dedicated to the astronomer
In January of this year, the Polish Post issued a postage stamp with a first-day-of-circulation (FDC) envelope depicting the astronomer's portrait, taken from the epitaph in the Frombork Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The painting is of great artistic value, as it is the only surviving image of Nicolaus Copernicus in Frombork – the city of the Polish explorer's most creative period and the final years of his life.
In February, Poczta Polska introduced an envelope with a printed postage mark, inspired by the Nicolaus Copernicus House in Toruń. In 2022, the building received a special distinction at the European Museum of the Year Awards ceremony. Interestingly, Poczta Polska last issued an envelope with a printed postage mark 20 years ago.
550. anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus
Designer: Joanna Fleszar-Haspert
Number of stamps: 1 in a block
Value: PLN 8
Circulation: 120,000 pcs
Printing technique: offset
Stamp format: 79 x 51 mm
Block format: 100 x 75 mm
Date of introduction into circulation: February 27, 2023