Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa (1791-1862) was a Uruguayan poet and writer. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the poet, engraved and printed by Waterlow & Sons, Ltd., and issued by Uruguay on March 18, 1942 as one of a set of five similar stamps honoring Francisco Acuña de Figueroa, the author of the lyrics to Uruguay's National Anthem, Scott No. 518, plus an image of a lithograph portrait of the poet, and English translations of selected stanzas from the National Anthem.
- nethryk
Selected stanzas from the National Anthem of Uruguay
Orientals, the Fatherland or the grave, Liberty or with glory we die!
It is the vow that the soul pronounces, and which we, heroes, will fulfill!
Liberty, Liberty, Orientals! This cry saved the fatherland Which her brave warriors, in fierce battles with sublime enthusiasm fill´d.
This Holy gift of Glory we have deserved Tyrants: Tremble ! Tyrants: Tremble ! Tyrants: Tremble ! Ah!
Liberty in combat we will Cry Out! And even dying, Freedom we shall also Shout!
It's the vow that the soul pronounces, and which we, heroes, will fulfill.
Borjgin Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj (1906-1937) was a Mongolian poet, writer, and playwright, and founder of the Mongolian Writer's Union. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern Mongolian literature and Mongolia's first "classic Socialist" writer. Here are images of the two similar stamps in a set featuring a portrait of Natsagdorj, printed by photogravure, and issued by Mongolia on May 15, 1952 to publicize the Mongolian Writers' Congress, Scott Nos. 290 & 291, plus a photo of the poet which was the model for this stamp's design, and an English translation of Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj's poem "My Native Land." Bonus: Smoker.
- nethryk
My Native Land
The fertile virgin-lands between Altai and Khangai Lands of our eternal destiny where ancestors lie Land grown mellow under the golden rays of the sun Land grown eternal under the silver moon.
This is my native land Mongolia the beautiful!
Home land of our ancestors since the day of the Hsiung-nu Land of great might in the days of the Blue Mongols Land we become more accustomed with every passing year Land where now the crimson flags flutter
This is my native land Mongolia the beautiful!
Beloved country of us all who were born and die here The enemy who dares invade our soil shall perish Let us build our democratic (revolutionary) state on the land ordained Then let march head high toward the brave future new world.
Jacint Verdaguer I Santaló (1845-1902) was a Spanish ordained priest who is considered one of the greatest poets of Catalan literature and a prominent literary figure of the Renaixença, a national revival movement of the late Romantic era. Here is an image of a stamp honoring Monsignor Verdaguer, printed by photogravure, and issued by Andorra (Spanish Administration) on September 6, 1983 to commemorate the centenary of the poet's visit to Andorra, Scott No. 157, plus images of a photograph of the poet, and of the cover of a bilingual book entitled Selected Poems of Jacint Verdaguer containing translations by Ronald Puppo.
Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) was a German poet, journalist, essayist, and literary critic, best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of Lieder (art songs) by composers such as Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the poet, designed and engraved by French artist Achille Ouvré (1872-1951), and issued for use in the French Zone of occupied Germany on April 1, 1946, Scott No. 4N13, Michel No. 13, plus an image of a detail of a portrait (1830) of Heine (sans beard) by German painter Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1800-1882), and an English translation of Heinrich Heine's poem Ich liebe solche weisse Glieder ("I Love This White And Slender Body").
- nethryk
I Love This White And Slender Body
I Love this white and slender body, These limbs that answer Love's caresses, Passionate eyes, and forehead covered With heavy waves of thick, black tresses.
You are the very one I've searched for In many lands, in every weather. You are my sort; you understand me; As equals we can talk together.
In me you've found the man you care for. And, for a while, you'll richly pay me With kindness, kisses and endearments-- And then, as usual, you'll betray me.
Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen (1843-1886), known by her pen name Lydia Koidula ("Lydia of the Dawn"), was an Estonian poet and playwright. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the poet, printed by lithography, and issued by Estonia on December 14, 1993, Scott No. 263, plus an image of a photograph of Lydia Koidula, and an English translation of her patriotic poem Mu isamaa on minu arm ("My country is my love").
- nethryk
My country is my love
My country is my love, To whom I've given my heart. To you I sing, my greatest happiness, My flowering Estonia! Your pain boils in my heart, Your pride and joy makes me happy, My country, my country!
My country is my love, I shall never leave her, Even if I must die hundred deaths Because of for her! Does the foreign envy slander, You still live in my heart, My country, my country!
My country is my love, And I want to rest, To lay down into your arms, My sacred Estonia! Your birds will sing sleep to me, flowers will bloom from my ashes, My country, my country!
Kambar (c. 1180-1250) was a Tamil poet and the author of the epic poem Kambaramayanam, a Tamil version of Ramayana. Here is an image of a stamp honoring Kambar, printed by photogravure, and issued by India on April 9, 1956, Scott No. 431, plus an image of a statue of Kambar in Marina Beach, Chennai, India, and a YouTube link to a song version of a passage from Kambaramayanam. Note: I have no idea why the inscription on the stamp indicates "9th Century A.D."
Ambroise-Paul-Toussaint-Jules Valéry (1871-1945) was a French poet, essayist, and philosopher who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 12 different years. Here is an image of a semi-postal (charity) stamp featuring a portrait of Paul Valéry, designed and engraved by Jean Pheulpin (1907-1991), and issued by France on July 10, 1954, Scott No. B290, Y&T No. 994, plus am image of a photograph of the poet, and Paul Valéry's poem Les Pas, along with an English translation ("The Steps").
- nethryk
Les Pas
Tes pas, enfants de mon silence, Saintement, lentement placés, Vers le lit de ma vigilance Procèdent muets et glacés.
Personne pure, ombre divine, Qu'ils sont doux, tes pas retenus ! Dieux !... tous les dons que je devine Viennent à moi sur ces pieds nus !
Si, de tes lèvres avancées, Tu prépares pour l'apaiser, A l'habitant de mes pensées La nourriture d'un baiser,
Ne hâte pas cet acte tendre, Douceur d'être et de n'être pas, Car j'ai vécu de vous attendre, Et mon coeur n'était que vos pas.
- Paul Valery
The Steps
Your steps, children of my silence, Holily, slowly placed, Towards the bed of my vigilance Proceed dumb and frozen.
Nobody pure, divine shade, That they are soft, your steps selected! Gods!… all the gifts which I guess Come to me on these naked feet!
If, of your advanced lips, You prepare to alleviate it, An inhabitant of my thoughts The food of a kiss,
Does not hasten this tender act, To be soft and not to be not? Because I lived to await you, And my heart was only your steps.
Francisco de Asís León Bogislao de Greiff Haeusler (1895-1976) was a Colombian poet known for his stylistic innovations and deliberately eclectic use of obscure lexicon who was one of a group of 13 young bohemian modernist artist and writers known as los Panidas (named after the ancient Greek god Pan). Here is an image of a stamp designed after a caricature portrait (1919) of León de Greiff by Colombian artist and fellow Panida Ricardo Rendón Bravo (1894-1931), printed by lithography, and issued by Colombia on May 2, 1996, Scott No. 1118, plus an image of a photograph of the poet, and an English translation of León de Greiff's poem Esta rosa fue testigo ("This Rose Was A Witness.") Bonus: Smoker.
- nethryk
This Rose Was A Witness
Of this, that if this was not love No other love could be. This rose was a witness From when you gave yourself to me! On that day, I don't know when it was (Well I do, but won't say), This rose was a witness.
Such lilting sweetness Poured from your lips This rose was a witness Of your smiles of love! For me it was nothing less Than all I'd ever dreamt of, This rose was a witness.
I drowned in your eyes So deep like the night! This rose was a witness; My arms holding you tight, Finding in your arm's nest Myself, then a warmer place... This rose was a witness.
I kissed your fresh lips Where happiness frolics! This rose was a witness Of your loving pain As I joyfully made love With you for the first time!
This rose was a witness.
This rose was a witness Of this, that if this was not love No other love could be. This rose was a witness From when you gave yourself to me!
On that day, I don't know when it was (Well I do, but won't say), This rose was a witness.
Olavo Brás Martins dos Guimarães Bilac (1865-1918) was a Brazilian Parnassian poet, journalist and translator who wrote the lyrics of the Brazilian Flag Anthem and is also the patron of the military service in Brazil due to his campaigns in favor of compulsory conscription. Here is an image of a stamp honoring Olavo Bilac, printed by photogravure, and issued by Brazil on December 16, 1967 to commemorate Reservists' Day, Scott No. 1973, plus an image of a photograph of the poet which was a model for this stamp's design, and a translation of Olavo Bilac's poem Modidade ("Youth"). Bonuses: Moustache, airplanes, tank, ship (aircraft carrier).
- nethryk
YOUTH
Youth is spring! The soul, full of flowers, shines, Believes in good, loves life, dreams and waits And easily forgets misfortune.
It´s the age of strength and beauty: Looks at the future and still has no past; And, facing Nature upfront, Does not fear daring work.
Loves awakening, loathing sleep; Has projects of glory, loves Chimera; And still doesn´t give fruit as autumn, For it only gives flowers as spring!
Branko Radicevic (1824-1853) was a Serbian poet who is considered the founder of modern Serbian lyric poetry. Here is an image of a stamp honoring Radicevic, designed by Pavao Gavranic, engraved by Bozidar Kocmut (1899-1977), and issued by Yugoslavia on October 1, 1953 to commemorate the centenary of the poet's death, Scott No. 394, plus an image of a portrait of Branko Radicevic, and a translation of a few lines from his poem Noç, pa noç ("Night, and Then Night").
- nethryk
From Night, and Then Night
The breeze gives a smile, The leaf licks at the smoke The bright day began to move Peeping through the lime tree, The lime tree spread its leafy branches Whispering to the bright day: Peek bright day peek, But keep the secret.
Janko Matúška (1821-1877) was a Slovak poet and lyricist best known as the author of the Slovak national anthem, Nad Tatrou sa blýska ("Lightning Over the Tatras," 1884) based on the melody of the Slovak folk song Kopala studienku ("She was digging a well"). Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the poet, and depicting a woman with a pitcher illustrating "She was digging a well," designed by Vincent Hložník, combined engraved by Martin Cinovský and photogravure, and issued by Slovakia on September 1, 1994 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the anthem, Scott No. 191, plus an image of a photograph of Janko Matúška, and a YouTube link to a performance of the Slovak national anthem, with English and Russian subtitles. Bonuses: Water, bare feet.
Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1674), an Icelandic devotional poet, composer and minister, designed and engraved by French artist Claude Durrens (1921-2003) after a portrait attributed to Hjalti Þorsteinsson of Vatnsfjörður (1665-1754), and issued by Iceland on September 18, 1975, Scott No. 481, Facit No. 542, plus an image of the original portrait of the poet, and a translation of an evening hymn written by Hallgrímur Pétursson.
- nethryk
The sun sinks o'er the western sea
The sun sinks o'er the western sea, Swift fades the light of day; Thus ends another stage for me Of life's soon travelled way.
Whether athwart the eastern skies, With morning glories strown, A new-born day for me shall rise, God knows, and God alone.
Enough for me to know that life Moves to its certain goal, And that the hour of mortal strife My Father's hands control.
Enough to feel (and so in peace To rest, dear Lord, I go); Thy care for me can never cease, Thy love ne'er weary grow.
Father of love, to Thee we bow; Do Thou in mercy keep Our land, our home in peace, as now We lay us down to sleep.
Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Norwegian poet Tore Ørjasæter (1886-1968), and depicting an old cupboard from Skjåk, the poet's birthplace, designed and engraved by Knut Løkke-Sørensen (1931- ), and issued by Norway on October 17, 1986 to commemorate the Ørjasæter's birth centenary, Scott No. 898, Facit No. 993, plus an image of a photograph of Tore Ørjasæter, and an English translation of his poem Måkeskrik ("Cries of gulls"). Bonus: Signature.
- nethryk
Cries of gulls
Sheer rock and steep faces of Lofot, bird-cliff and thousands of seagulls that circle round mast and hull. Let themselves glide on powerful wings towards the open sea, - it breathes towards them and receives them like an open mind.
Soon after the storm has abated, the sea's bosom still goes on heaving. The swell lifts the heavy sea closer up to the horizon that constantly escapes and dies out quietly to new heights on the skyline that once more breathes out and escapes like time dies out within the age.
Oh these free cries of gulls towards the open sea! It is like breathing out one's longings and never landing.
Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1959) was a Nepali poet and playwright who is honored by the title of Maha Kavi ("The Great Poet") in Nepali literature. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Devkota, printed by photogravure, and issued by Nepal on October 14, 1965, Scott No. 187, plus a photo of Maha Kavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota, and a translation of the first two sections of his poem "Crazy."
- nethryk
From Crazy
1. Oh yes, friend! I'm crazy- that's just the way I am. 2. I see sounds, I hear sights, I taste smells, I touch not heaven but things from the underworld, things people do not believe exist, whose shapes the world does not suspect. Stones I see as flowers lying water-smoothed by the water's edge, rocks of tender forms in the moonlight when the heavenly sorceress smiles at me, putting out leaves, softening, glistening, throbbing, they rise up like mute maniacs, like flowers, a kind of moon-bird's flowers. I talk to them the way they talk to me, a language, friend, that can't be written or printed or spoken, can't be understood, can't be heard. Their language comes in ripples to the moonlit Ganges banks, ripple by ripple- oh yes, friend! I'm crazy- that's just the way I am.
Here are images of the five stamps in a set featuring a portrait of Italian poet Dante Alighieri (c. 1265-1321) and illustrations of scenes from Dante's epic poem Divine Comedy, designed by French artist Pierrette Lambert (1928- ), and issued by Monaco on February 1, 1966 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Dante's birth, Scott Nos. 624-28.
- nethryk
Portrait of Dante, engraved by René Cottet (1902-1992).
Dante facing the Panther of Envy, engraved by Michel Monvoisin (1932-1982).
Dante and Virgil boating across the muddy swamp of the 5th Circle of Hell, engraved by Georges Bétemps (1921-1992).
Dante watching the arrogant and the Cross of Salvation, engraved by Claude Durrens (1921-2003).
Invocation of Saint Bernard; Dante and Beatrice, engraved by Michel Monvoisin.
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Posted 11/20/2015 08:37 am
