Show Me! Music / Musicians/ Instruments

José Sabogal (1888-1956) was a Peruvian painter and muralist. Although his own descent was Spanish rather than indigenous, he promoted pre-Columbian culture and esthetics. Here is an image of a stamp reproducing a painting by Sabogal depicting a group of musicians performing in the street, printed by lithography, and issued by Peru on September 7, 1988 to commemorate the artist's birth centenary, Scott No. 941.

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Here are images of a souvenir sheet depicting traditional African musical instruments, and the stamps therein, designed and engraved by Jacques Combet, and issued by Gabon on June 6, 1969 to publicize the Museum of Arts and Traditions in Libreville, Scott No. 243a, and Nos. 240-43.

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Mvet, the harp-lute of the Fang people


Ngombi harp


Ebele and Mbe drums


Medzang xylophone

Women musicians, designed by Laotian artist Ky Phung Chaleun, engraved by Jean Miermont, and issued by Laos on May 1, 1971 as one of a set of two stamps publicizing UN General Assembly Resolution No. 2446 declaring the international year against racial discrimination, Scott No. 213. Bonus: Elephants (rocking out in the background.)

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Three for the topic.

Girls singing, accompanied by guitar, printed by photogravure, and issued by Bulgaria on June 1, 1942, Scott No. 409.

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Here is an image of a stamp depicting studio musicians and radio broadcasting facilities, designed by Laotian artist Ng Cam, engraved by Georges Bétemps, and issued by Laos on March 30, 1965 to publicize British aid (as one of a set of four stamps recognizing foreign aid), Scott No. 106.

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Traditional musicians, printed by lithography, and issued by Mongolia on December 10, 1981 as one of a set of seven stamps publicizing International Women's Year (IWY), Scott No. 1226. Bonus: Horses.

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Here are images of the three stamps in a set depicting traditional string instruments of various indigenous ethnic groups, designed and engraved by Gilbert Aufschneider, and issued by Niger on October 13, 1971, Scott Nos. 247-49.

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Garaya (Haoussa)


Godjie (Djerma-Sonrai)


Inzad (Touareg)

Original sound based on traditional Slovenian folk music



50th Anniversary of the Music of the Avsenik Brothers Vilko and Slavko (2003). They "invented" new sort of music based on traditional folk music. They are very popular on Germany, Austria, Switzerland ... Their group "Oberkrainer" has earned 31 Gold, 2 Diamond and 1 Platinum Record. They won countless awards, including recording industry's "European Oscar" for their original music upon the release of their "Golden Sounds" double record. Their song "Na Golici" is one the most often produced song in Europa generally.

Here are images of the six engraved stamps (three of which are airmail) in a set depicting musicians playing traditional Laotian instruments, designed by Marc Leguay, engraved by Jean Pheulpin, and issued by Laos on March 25, 1957, Scott Nos. 34-36 and C24-C26.

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Khouy (flute)


Khene (pipes)


Ranat (xylophone)


Khong vong (violin)


So (bells)


Kong (drum)

a nice pair of US Violins received on cover recently ... SC# 1813, part of the Americana definitive series (one of my favorites)

The Florentine Codex is a 16th-century ethnographic research project in Mesoamerica by Franciscan friar and missionary Bernardino de Sahagún (1499-1590). Here is an image of a stamp depicting an illustration from the Florentine Codex showing a group of indigenous musicians, designed by Ramón Alcántara Rodríguez, printed by photogravure, and issued by Mexico on October 2, 1982, Scott No. 1292.

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Here are images of the five stamps in a set reproducing illustrations of musicians by various artists, combined engraved by Bedrich Housa and photogravure, and issued by Czechoslovakia on May 18, 1982, Scott Nos. 2405-09.

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Euterpe playing a flute, by Dutch publisher and engraver Crispijn van de Passe the Elder (c. 1564-1637).


Lute player, by Dutch painter and engraver Jacob de Gheyn II (c. 1565-1629).


Woman flautist, by Flemish designer and engraver Adriaen Collaert (c. 1560–1618)


Musicians at a hostel, by Dutch painter and etcher Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669).


Hurdy gurdy player, by Duchy of Lorraine printmaker and draftsman Jacques Callot (c. 1592-1635).

Bösendorfer piano, designed by Austrian artist Peter Sinawehl, combined engraved by Wolfgang Seidel and photogravure, and issued by Austria on November 19, 2003 to commemorate the piano manufacturer's 175th anniversary, Scott No. 1940.

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Brass band, Mauren, designed by Austrian artist Adalbert Pilch (1917-2004), printed by photogravure (Courvoisier, S.A.) and issued by Liechtenstein on September 8, 1980 as one of a set of three stamps celebrating traditional culture, Scott No. 696.

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