The Polish Post issued a stamp to commemorate the 30th anniversary of free elections to the reborn Senate.
On June 4th of this year, Poczta Polska issued a stamp commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Senate's rebirth and free elections. The mintage of the 5 złoty stamp is 120,000.
The Polish Post commemorates important events in Polish history through philatelic publications. The elections of June 4, 1989, were the first fully free elections since World War II, but only to one chamber – the Senate. The reborn Upper House consisted of 99 senators recommended by the Solidarity Citizens' Committees and only one from outside. Members of Parliament were elected to the Sejm in so-called contract elections – candidates nominated by citizen groups were free to run for 35% of the seats, which were then held by the opposition.
The author of the philatelic item, Andrzej Gosik, referenced the traditional symbol of the marshal's power by incorporating the head of the marshal's staff, which Andrzej Stelmachowski received from representatives of the Artistic Crafts Guild in April 1991, onto the stamp. The mahogany shaft bears the dates: May 3, 1791, November 11, 1918, and June 4, 1989. The latter commemorates the first democratic elections to the Senate after the war. The marshal's staff is topped with a stylized gilded Piast crown of Casimir the Great, adorned with four light amber stones.
In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a limited edition First Day of Circulation envelope, an envelope issued on the first day of stamp circulation. The envelope features the coat of arms of the Senate of the Republic of Poland and the inscription: June 4, 1989, 30th anniversary of the rebirth of the Senate and free elections.
About the stamp:
stamp designer: Andrzej Gosik
number of stamps: 1
value: PLN 5
circulation: 120,000 pcs
printing technique: offset
stamp format: 31.25 x 76.5 mm
sales sheet: 6 stamps
paper: fluorescent
date of introduction into circulation: June 4, 2019
This and other philatelic publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .