For the first time in ages we had a ‘Christmas’ themed
evening at our local stamp club. I decided to show a selection of engraved Christmas
stamps from Austria, and they make a perfect theme for this year’s Christmas blog
as well!
I quite like the Austrian issues, because they’re clean and
simple. Just the one stamp each year and almost always the designs are based on
a Nativity scene. Austria, of course, is steeped in Baroque architecture and
art, so it isn’t very hard for them to come up with the most wonderful designs
based on the many artefacts in their churches and abbeys.
Some are incredibly old, such as this 15th century fresco
which you’ll find in the church at Tainach in Upper Carinthia. Funny how Joseph’s
handbag looks more 20th century than anything from that long ago!
Some are not old at all, such as this modern icon by Anton
Wollenek, made in 1920. Professor Wollenek is internationally known for his
icons, and they have also appeared on various stamp issues from the Palestine Authority, such
as this 1997 Christmas set.
As you will probably know I have a soft spot for stamps which are (almost) wholly
engraved. My favourite ones from the Austrrian catalogue are therefore the Christmas stamps engraved by Rudolph Toth.
I like the serenity of this Virgin and Child stamp from
1975. It is part of the altar in the Viennese Schottenstift, or Scottish Abbey.
It is late Gothic, dating from the 15th century.
Another gem is this 1967 stamp, depicting the Adoration of
the Shepherds. It is the middle part of a beautiful triptych which is part of
the altar of the Nonnberg Convent in Salzburg. Again, we’re talking (late) 15th century here.
But my absolute favourite is Toth’s 1985 stamp. It depicts
the Adoration of the Christ Child, and is a marbled relief which you’ll find on
one of the prominent houses in Salzburg. But it’s not so much what it depicts.
The quality of the engraving is so incredibly superb that you still think you’re
looking at a relief rather than an engraving. In fact, I love it so much that I
made it my desktop background this Christmas period, so I can look at it each
and every day. Just click on the image to get a blown-up version and you’ll see
what I mean.
I can only hope that your Christmas will be just as
wonderful as this!
See yous later
Adrian
I'm a fan of Austrian Christmas stamps as well. They are miniature works of art (though I would not object if their selection of topic varied a bit).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, merry Christmas!
-k-