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 France
- Some philatelic documents relating to Beethoven |
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There are numerous stamps and other philatelic documents from countries all around the world in honour of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Germany is one of the most prolific. Stamps of Beethoven exist, made in France, Monaco, Austria, in African countries and in Sounth America... It is interesting to note that the anglo-saxon countries such as the USA, Canada and Great Britain have never commemorated the composer with a stamp. All in all there exist about 200 stamps...And here are already 150 of them, shown with their date of issue and their catalogue number (often Michel, sometimes Scott or Yvert and Tellier)... They are organised by country and by continent. If you have scans of stamps which I don't have you can forward them to me. Thank you, in advance. |
  FranceApril 27th 1963 Michel 1432 Scott 1059 Yvert et Tellier 1382 |
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The
only french stamp of Ludwig van Beethoven |
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Here is the only stamp made by La Poste (the French postal service) depicting the composer. It was issued on April 27th 1963. This stamp is the first in a series of 5 great men of the CEE: Ludwig van Beethoven (0,20 F), Émile Verhaeren (0,20 F), Giuseppe Mazzini (0,20 F), Émile Mayrisch (0,20 F) and Hugo de Groot (0,30 F). Note that, after one catalogue of stamps, there is another version called "mèches blanches". It is probable that all of his hair is white (or none)... Another depicts the house in grey rather than cepia. But I've never seen these...have you? This Beethoven stamp carries the number 1382 in the catalogue Yvert et Tellier, the number 1432 in the catalogue Michel, and the number 1059 in that of Scott. |
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French
maxicards of Ludwig van Beethoven |
| There exist many maxicard models (a stamp on the reverse of a postcard along the same theme). |
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1- This one, issued by the
Société des Amis du Musée
Postale is very similar to the stamp. I like
it very much.
Here is a translation of the text which is found on the reverse: "THE GREAT EUROPEANS |
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2- Here is the text which figures on the back of this maxicarte: "BEETHOVEN (Louis VAN)Genius German composer Born in Bonn, died in Vienna (1770-1827) Composer of 32 piano sonatas, of the Mass in D , of various concertos, of 9 symphonies (''the Heroica", "the Pastoral", "the ninth symphony with choirs"), of the opera "Fidelio", of remarkable overtures, 16 quartets, chamber music works, etc. Creator of a new, sublime technique, of quaking expression and an ability to exault personal emotion. From le Nouveau Larousse Universel." |
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3- The maxicarte opposite was cancelled at Strasbourg on September 14th 1963, and carries the inscription, "Council of Europe - the Rights of Man".
The same maxicarte existes with the stamp issued by Czechoslovakia in 1970.
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Other Maxicards: |
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French
First Day Envelopes (FDC) of Ludwig van Beethoven |
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1- Here is the first day envelope with the stamp. There is no text on the reverse. The words on the franking read: "Five great men of the countries of the CEE - 27 April 1963 - Paris".
Each stamp in the series is presented on an envelope picturing the flag of the country of origin of the personality, and a monument. |
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2- Text on the reverse of the envelope: "BEETHOVEN LUDWIG VAN One of the greatest genius' of music, born December 16th 1770 at Bonn. His grandfather was a master at the chapel of the Elector of Cologne, and his father tenor at the chapel. The young Beethoven, attracted to music, played in the theatre orchestra from the age of 11, by 13 years of age he was organist and had already published three sonatas. In 1787 he left for Vienna where he met Mozart, but then his mother's death obliged him to return to Bonn. In 1792 the Prince electeur sent him to Vienna to persue his studies of music, his teacher being Haydn. His genius was recognised by the experts. The high society of Vienna welcomed him eagerly. But it was only at the age of 30 years that he achieved his first major success, a concert of which the programme was a Grand symphony for pianoforte - Septuor - Symphony n° 1. The second symphony was played in 1803. His most extraordinary works were written between 1815 and 1826 - he wrote, amongst others, five sonatas for piano; in 1822 the Mass in D, a collossal and complex piece; the ninth and last symphony in 1824. In the two years of 1824/1826 he wrote five quartets. But luck abandoned him. Deaf for several years, he became ill in the winter of 1826-1827, a pulmonary congestion became apparent, then digestion troubles, a hydropisy and on March 26th 1827 he gave up." |
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Other FDC: |
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Other
philatelic document |
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This magnificent portrait of Pierre Gandon, which serves to illustrate the Beethoven stamp issued by Monaco in1970, decorates the document. The French stamp is cancelled on the 17th November 1963, and the stamp carries the inscription: Commission of the colours of Europe - Colmar."
Size of document: 16 cm x 24,5 cm |
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Non-philatelic
stamps |
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Sheet of six cinderellas published by Cartes d'Art (Paris - France). Each stamp represents the head of a composer, his signature and the score of one of his famous works. They were realized by Michel Tanelian. On Beethoven stamp, one can see the first measures of the Ode to Joy... |
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Sheet of 12 cinderellas. Record labels with famous works by reknown composers: Brahms, Smetana, Mozart, Grieg, Beethoven, Strauss, Chopin and Bach. Their face value is 8,50 NF. Beethoven is the only one to have three stamps for his works:- Two romances; - Overtures Egmont and Coriolan; - Ritterballet... |
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thanks to Hannah SALTER for her translation
of this page from French into English © |
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