Show Me! Music / Musicians/ Instruments

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a traditional Russian folksinger playing a gusli (a multi-string plucked instrument) while reciting the epic poem "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" (1185 A.D.), the oldest Russian literary work, designed by Russian artists Vasili Vasilievich Zavialov and A. Zavialov, printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on May 20, 1957, Scott No. 1960, Zagorski No. 1844, plus a YouTube link to an animated version of "Igor's Campaign."

- nethryk

Spanish National Youth Orchestra, a Europa stamp engraved by Vicente Morant Flores, and issued by Spain on May 3, 1985, Scott No. 2409, Edifil No. 2789.

- nethryk

Here are images of the four stamps in a set depicting musicians playing traditional provincial instruments, printed by lthography, and issued by Papua New Guinea on January 24, 1979, Scott Nos. 491-94.

- nethryk

Ocarina, Chimbu


Musical bow, New Britain


Launut, New Ireland


Nose flute, New Hanover

Drummer and map of Africa, designed by Pierre Opic, engraved by Gilbert Aufschneider, and issued by Senegal on April 2, 1966 to publicize the First World Festival of Negro Arts, held in Dakar, April 1-24, 1966, Scott No. 267.

- nethryk

Playing musical instruments, printed by lithography, and issued by Republic of China (Taiwan) as one of four stamps in a set depicting "country life," Scott No. 2952. Bonus: Dog.

- nethryk

In Greek mythology, the satyr Marsyas was an expert player of the aulos, a double-piped reed instrument. Exhibiting the flaw of hubris (excessive pride and arrogance), Marsyas challenged the god Apollo to a contest of music, to be judged by the Muses. In the event, Marsyas lost the contest, his hide, and his life. Here is an image of a stamp depicting the contestants, printed by lithography, and issued by Greece on April 29, 1985 as one of two stamps in a EUROPA set, Scott No. 1518, plus a YouTube link to a short video, produced by Julie Delvaux, displaying paintings, sculptures and mosaics depicting the myth of Marsyas and Apollo.

- nethryk

Here are images of the three engraved stamps (the third of which is airmail) in a set depicting Laotian drums, designed by Laotian artist Ky Phung Chaleun, and issued by Laos on March 30, 1970, Scott Nos. 197, 198 & C67.

- nethyrk

Kongphene (midday) drum, engraved by Jean Miermont.


Kongthong (bronze) drum, engraved by Roger Fenneteaux.


Pong (wooden) drum, engraved by Claude Jumelet.

Slavko Avsenik (1929-2015)
Vilko Avsenik (1928- )


...............Vilko Avsenik............Slavko Avsenik

On 2. july 2015 died Slavko Avsenik. He and his borther Vilko "invented" new sort of music based on traditional folk music.
Their song Na Golici is is considered the most played instrumental tune in the world.



and "special editon":

Here are images of the four semi-postal (charity) stamps in a set depicting musical instruments, designed by German graphic artist Isolde Monson-Baumgart (1935-2011), printed by lithography, and issued by Germany on October 5, 1973 to benefit independent welfare organizations, Scott Nos. B503-B506, Michel Nos. 782-85.

- nethryk

French horn, 19th century


Pedal piano, 18th century


Violin, 18th century


Pedal harp, 18th century

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a kora, a 21-string lute-bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa, designed by French artist Pierre Opic, engraved by Jules Piel, and issued by Senegal on April 2, 1966 to publicize the First World Festival of Negro Arts, held in Dakar, April 1-24, 1966, Scott No. 267, plus a YouTube link to a delightful recording of "Salaman" by Malian kora players Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko. Correction: The Scott No. for the Senegal drummer stamp from the same set and posted above is 266.

- nethryk

Here are images of the four stamps in a set depicting traditional Zambian musical instruments: kankobele, bango, ilimba and inshingili, printed by lithography, and issued by Zambia on September 30, 1981, Scott Nos. 254-57

- nethryk

What better day than Adolphe Sax's 201st birthday to add a saxophone today. These two stamps were issued by Belgium, the country in which he was born, for his 200th birthday. The player puzzled me: is he playing on the left side of his body? If you look at the instrument by itself on the first stamp it somehow doesn't work. I wonder what the folks in Dinant said about it.

Brazil
Definitives - Musical Instruments
September 20, 2001
Tambourine, Saxophone, Flute, Fiddle, Guitar, Zabumba, Viola Caipira, Trombone