"Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature series of stamps

Series of stamps "Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature"

Ukraine has always been and remains a country of creative people. The category of writers is very large and includes more than 2,000 prominent figures. Philately has never stayed away from this topic. There are many issues dedicated to writers. Their main goal remains to emphasize the importance of a person, to contribute to the cultural heritage and to honor memory.

Prominent literary figures on the pages of philately

Conventionally, Ukrainian philately can be divided into underground, as part of other states, and independent. The most interesting thing is that the first stamp that can be attributed to Ukrainian philately was printed by the radical party in 1904. It contained a portrait of Kobzar and was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birth. In 1920-21, as part of the Ukrainian People's Republic, the first issue of a literary stamp was made, which also featured a portrait of Kobzar.

All subsequent issues dedicated to literary figures belong to the Ukrainian SSR, and after World War II to the USSR. Perhaps there could have been more issues on literary topics, but this period of time is associated with Soviet politics. With the advent of independence, Ukrainian philately gained complete freedom of action. This freed their hands and allowed them to cover Ukrainian culture, life, traditions, and prominent Ukrainians of all times.

 What is known about the issue

Taras Shevchenko is generally considered the leader in the ranking of prominent Ukrainian writers. The other five authors include Ivan Franko and Lesya Ukrainka. As for Ivan Kotliarevsky, his poem " Eneida" brought national recognition, making a significant contribution to the formation of the Ukrainian literary language. It is possible to assume that it was for these reasons that Ukrposhta chose the above-mentioned personalities.

The coverage of prominent writers was carried out both on the pages of Soviet philately and after 1991. The most frequent issues were dedicated to Taras Shevchenko. Among other writers, stamps dedicated to: M. Rylskyi, I. Karpenko-Karyi, A. Krymskyi, O. Dovzhenko, B. Hrinchenko, P. Myrnyi, M. Arkas, H. Kvitka-Osnovianenko, V. Vynnychenko, D. Yavornytskyi, Marko Vovchok, M. Stelmakh, O. Kobylianska, and M. Starytskyi. The series "Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature" was continued in 1996, but the issue included only one stamp with a portrait of the writer V. Stefanyk.

Description of the stamp series "Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature"

The artist R.P. Tsessin designed quite a few sketches for philatelic products. His works include not only postage stamps but also envelopes and postcards. The artist is credited with both Soviet and Ukrainian issues. The author's works have been known since 1962. During the period of independent Ukrainian philately, in addition to the issue "Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature" (1994), the artist worked on stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Puluj (1995), the 5th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence (1996), 50 years of UNESCO (1996) and 50 years of UNICEF (1996).

Stamp Ivan Kotliarevsky 1994

The design has the classic layout of a Soviet-style stamp issue of prominent personalities. The first stamp of this format in Ukrainian philately is the 1992 issue dedicated to the writer M. Kostomarov.

The outlines of the stamp are white, the background behind the portrait is blue with the image of three Cossacks and the inscription of the poem "Aeneid". Below them are stylized sea waves. The blue and white backgrounds are separated by a black line that forms a frame on the left side and top.  The portrait of Ivan Franko was painted by R. Cessin based on a drawing by Soviet artist L. Kotlyarov. At the bottom is a ribbon with the writer's name and the years of his life. Behind the ribbon is a pen.

·         Date of issue: 08.07.1995.

·         Circulation: 500 thousand copies.

·         Stamp format - 40x28 mm

·         Face value - 1 thousand karb.

In the lower right corner there is a space for the denomination of 1000 Ukrainian karbovanets. This denomination is the smallest in the series. The right side of the stamp bears the inscription "Ukrainian Post" and the year of issue 1994. The last time Ivan Franko was depicted was on a 1969 Soviet stamp dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the writer's birth.

Stamp Taras Shevchenko 1994

It is presented to the viewer horizontally, the outlines are made in white, and there is a blue background with ornamentation behind the portrait. The portrait of Taras Shevchenko is shifted to the right edge, which the author recreated based on a drawing by the Soviet artist of Ukrainian origin Serhiy Bondar. At the bottom of the portrait is a ribbon with the name of the famous writer and the years of his life. On the right is his most famous book - Kobzar.

·         Date of issue: 08.07.1995

·         Circulation: 1 million copies.

·         Stamp format - 40x28 mm

·         Face value - 3 thousand karb.

The lower right corner contains the denomination 3000, which corresponds to the currency of the coupon karbovanets. The right side of the stamp contains information about the stamp's affiliation with the Ukrainian Post and the year of issue. In Soviet times, stamps with Taras Shevchenko were issued three times: in 1961, 1964, and 1989. In the field of Ukrainian philately, at least 10 issues were dedicated to Taras Shevchenko and his works in the period 2001-2021.

Stamp Ivan Franko 1994

Like all stamps of the series, it is presented horizontally. The outlines of the stamp are white, the background behind the portrait is blue with an individual ornament for the stamp. The portrait is based on a drawing by the Soviet artist F. Samusev. At the bottom of the portrait is a ribbon with the writer's name and years of life. To the right of the portrait is a book with the story "Boryslav Laughs" 1881. The lower right corner of the stamp shows the value of 3000. The right side of the stamp bears the inscription in capital letters "Post of Ukraine" and the year of issue.

·         Date of issue: 02.02.1995.

·         Circulation: 500 thousand copies.

·         Stamp format - 40x28 mm

·         Face value - 3 thousand karb.

The stamp was rededicated to Ivan Franko in 2006, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth. It was issued in 200 thousand copies with a face value of 70 kopecks. Before that, the writer was depicted on a stamp of the USSR in 1956.

Stamp Lesya Ukrainka 1994

The stamp has a horizontal orientation and white outlines. Unlike the stamps of the series, the portrait of the writer is turned to the viewer with the right side of her face. It was drawn by an artist from a photograph of 1900. The background is also different, as it is green. Instead of an ornament, it depicts green leaves of a lighter shade than the background. To the right of the portrait is a book with the title of the author's poetic play "Forest Song". Below the portrait is a ribbon with the writer's name and years of her life.

·         Date of issue: 02.02.1995

·         Edition: 500 thousand copies.

·         Stamp format - 40x28 mm

·         Face value - 3 thousand karb.

As on other stamps, the lower right corner contains the denomination, and the right edge of the stamp bears the stamp's affiliation with the Ukrainian postal service and the year of issue. Prior to that, Lesya Ukrainka was depicted on a 1971 Soviet stamp on the occasion of her 100th birthday. In Ukrainian philately, the stamp was issued in 2020 and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary in 2021.

An interesting feature is that the 1994 series "Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature" prepared for release was actually issued only in 1995. Stamps numbered 74 and 75 were issued in July, and 76 and 77 in February.

 Envelope with special repayment  Luminaries of Ukrainian Literature