Best Examples Of Stamps As Art

I look upon my stamp collection in many ways as an Art collection. Not all of course but many stamps can be considered to be miniature works of art. I especially enjoy the beauty of engraved stamps and consider the engravers to be artists in their own right.

Where am I going with this? Up till now I have mainly collected worldwide stamps from the classic era, 1840 to 1940. There are certainly many beautiful stamps from this period but from time to time I see some magnificent examples of the engravers art from later periods, for example the Deutsche Post Leipziger Messe stamps from 1947-1948 (Scott 580-583). There is no way I can expand my worldwide collection to the current day or even to 1970 or so. I simply don't have enough time! So I have decided to only collect stamps past the classical era that are particularly fine examples of stamps as art.

The problem is, how to determine which stamps qualify. So I am asking you, the fine folks here at SCF to nominate your favorite "art" stamps and also identify which countries have produced the most beautiful stamps. I am mainly interested in engraved stamps but will consider other types as well.

*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

In terms of general attractiveness of post-war stamps over a longish period, France and Czechoslovakia spring to mind. They also have the virtue of being readily available and cheap!

In the non classic period I would have to say France. Laos also deserves honorable mention.

France and French colonies get the blue ribbon from me.

I've long admired these Hungarian designs by Sandor Legrady. He seems to pack a lot of drama into just a little square.

A lifetime with this guy.

http://www.slaniastamps-heindorffhus.com/

I'm biased to Newfoundland stamps

john62, I have to agree. I love my Newfoundland collection.

GeoffHa, I have heard that the Czechoslovakia has some beautiful engraved stamps. I will definitely check them out. :)

Good suggestions above. I'd add to that Canada stamps up until the early 1950s.

Gmot. I agree with you 100% My personal favorite is

john62, that is one of my top favorite stamps in the world! Another is US Scott #292, "Cattle in the storm". My scanner is not set up so I can't post a scan.

Can't even talk art and stamps without something from Slania.

Anghus. "Cattle in a storm" is another great art stamp and also one of my favorite design error stamps.

I second redwoodrandy's choice of Czeslaw Slania's work on Swedish stamps.

Don

The colors and Art Deco design of this set makes it art in my eyes.


Don

This stamp has always caught my eye, I would hang this stamp design on the wall of my house.


Don