The Crowned Heads Of Europe

Charlemagne (c.742-814), a EUROPA stamp designed and engraved by Pierre Gandon, and issued by Andorra (French Administration) on April 26, 1980, Scott No. 279. Note: El gran Carlemany, mon pare, is the first verse in the national anthem of the Principality of Andorra.

- nethryk

These came with a boxed lot, which had a SG Album. They were placed in the front as an addition, but Obviously not GB. Included were all the issues of english Kings and queens thru 1900. But here is the first page. I hope these aren't the pictorals referred to on page 1. But not being educated on the matter, I'll post them anyway. If anyone wants me to scan the rest, I can.
Barbuda c1970 beginning with SG42, or Scott 43

Justinian I (c. 482-565), aka Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine emperor whose reign was marked by an ambitious but only partly successful attempt to restore the former Roman Empire. Also, Justinian is considered a saint by Eastern Orthodox Christians. Here is an image of a stamp depicting a portrait of Justinian I, designed by H. Rodriguez after a contemporary mosaic, printed by photogravure, and issued by Mexico on September 30, 1972 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mexican Bar Association, Scott No. 1045, plus an image of a detail of the mosaic, located in the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, which was re-conquered in 540 by the Byzantines.

- nethryk

Just to say that the words "El gran Carlemany, mon pare...", are Catalan (Andorra's official language) translate as: "The great Charlemagne, my father...".

Cursus - Thanks!

Saint Luzius (Lucius) of Chur is the patron saint of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Although he is recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, historical information about St. Luzius is scant. According to legend, he was a king in England who had converted to Christianity as a boy. Abandoning his crown and his subjects, St. Luzius became a missionary to the pagans in the Rhine River valley. His relics are held in the Cathedral of Chur, Switzerland. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of St. Luzius wearing a crown, designed by Austrian artist Johannes Troyer (1902-1969), engraved by Karl Bickel, and issued by Liechtenstein on March 14, 1946, Scott No. 218, plus a photo of a painted wooden sculpture (c. 1320) of St. Lucius kept in the Dominican monastery in Cazis, Switzerland.

- nethryk

Poland 1994
Przemysl II
King of Poland (1295-96)

Uta von Ballenstedt (c. 1000-1046) of the House of Ascania was the Margravine of Meissen, and the wife of Eckard II. Here is an image of a stamp depicting a limestone statue of Uta created by an anonymous stonemason now known as "the master of Naumburg," designed by German artist Hans Zimbal (1889-1961), engraved by Leon Schnell, and issued by Germany (West Berlin) on August 6, 1957, Scott No. 9N157, Michel No. 173, plus a photo of a detail from the life-size statue, which stands in Naumberg Cathedral. Note: Many consider Uta von Ballenstedt to be the most beautiful woman of the German Middle Ages, and Walt Disney used her as the model for the beautiful, but sinister, queen (see image below) in its animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

- nethryk

Nikephoros II Phokas (c. 912-969), whose brilliant military exploits contributed to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century, reigned as Byzantine Emperor from 963 to 969. Here is an image of a stamp depicting Emperor Phokas, designed by A. Tassos, printed by lithography, and issued by Greece on September 22, 1961 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the liberation of Crete from the Saracens by Byzantine forces led by Phokas (then a general), Scott No. 720, plus an image of the portrait of Nikephoros II Phokas which served as the model for this stamp's design.

- nethryk

From 1425 to 1440, the Palazzo della Ragione ("Hall of Justice") in Padua was refrescoed by Italian painters Nicolò Miretto and Stefano da Ferrara. Here is an image of a stamp reproducing one of their frescoes, depicting Jupiter, the chief god of the ancient Romans, as a king holding a scepter and an orb, and seated on a throne, designed and combined engraved by Pietro Nicolò Arghittu and lithography, and issued by Italy on April 8, 1989, Scott No. 1768.

- nethryk

Happy Birthday to Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein (Johann Adam Andreas, 1662-1712), a financial expert and art collector whose nickname was "Hans Adam the Rich." Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the pecuniary prince, and depicting Liechtenstein's coat of arms, designed by Austrian artist Josef Seger (1908-1998), engraved by Hans Ranzoni the Younger, and issued by Liechtenstein on November 15, 1949, Scott No. 242, plus an image of a painted portrait of Hans-Adam I. Nice wig!

- nethryk

The Treaty of Andelot was signed in 587 between King Guntram of Burgundy (c. 532-592) and Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia (c. 543-613). Under the terms of the accord, Guntram adopted Brunhilda's son Childebert II (570-95) as his successor. Here is an image of a stamp depicting the principals to the treaty and the document itself, designed and engraved by Eve Luquet (1954- ), and issued by France on November 28, 1987 to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of the treaty, Scott No. 2058, Y&T No. 2500, plus an illustration of Guntram and Childebert II holding a joint royal audience, from the Grandes Chroniques de France.

- nethryk

Here are images of the four stamps in a "Great Britons" set depicting renowned royal knights mounted on caparisoned chargers, printed by photogravure, and issued by Great Britain on July 10, 1974, Scott Nos. 724-27.

- nethryk

Robert I, known as Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), King of Scots from 1306 until his death.


Owain Glyndwr (c. 1354-1416), the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales.


Henry V (1387-1422), King of England from 1413 until his death.


Edward, the Black Prince (1330-1376), who died one year before his father, becoming the first English Prince of Wales not to become King of England.