FOCUS ON PHILATELY: The Madonna on Ukrainian stamps (01/03/99)

FOCUS ON PHILATELY

by Ingert Kuzych

The Madonna on Ukrainian stamps

During Ukraine's first period of stamp production - from 1918 to 1923 - no religious stamps were produced. The subsequent seven decades of atheist Soviet rule left a religio-phobic legacy among Ukrainian postal officials that has been difficult to overcome.

In the first five years of newly acquired independence (1991-1996), only one stamp (in 1994) was released with a truly religious subject. Over the past couple of years, however, the attitude seems to have softened a bit: last year, Ukraine issued its first Christmas stamp, and this year two stamps appeared showing the Mother and Child. This article will take a closer look at these four stamps, all of which depict the Madonna.

Ukraine's very first issue of 1994 was a semi-postal stamp dedicated to the Ukrainian Charity and Health Fund (Figure 1). Semi-postal stamps have a surcharge added to them; the extra amount above a regular postal value is allocated to a relief or welfare fund. In this case, 150 karbovantsi helped pay a standard postal rate while the extra 20 karbovantsi went to the fund.

Depicted on the stamp is a drawing by the famous German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer showing Mary holding her son Jesus. The figures are shown in black and white, and the halos are gold. Originally this stamp was to be released in 1993 (that is the date on the design) but delays pushed this issue over into the next year.

Christmas stamps are a very popular topic for collecting. The United States released its first such stamps in 1962 and has continued to prepare them annually. Canada's first Christmas issue was in 1964; it, too, has continued to release them uninterruptedly since then.

Ukraine's first Christmas stamp came out on December 20, 1997 (Figure 2). The main image (in full color) is from an 18th century Nativity icon, by an unknown artist, found in a ruined village church near Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi (Kyiv region). Presently, this art piece is housed at the Ukrainian Museum of Art in Kyiv. At first the stamp was prepared for Christmastime release in 1996, but there was some unexplained delay. The stamp was subsequently reprinted. Although identical to the first design, the date was altered to 1997.

In June of this year the Lviv Art Gallery was honored with a set of stamps and a souvenir sheet (a stamp or stamps surrounded by a commemorative margin). All of these items depict artwork from the gallery in full color. The Lviv Art Gallery was set up in 1939 by the new Soviet regime on the basis of various confiscations; it currently holds one of the richest collections of Western art in Ukraine. The stamp set was issued as a triptych (Figure 3); the high value middle stamp shows the icon "Madonna With Child" from the Lviv icon school of the 17th century. The souvenir sheet (Figure 4) presents a 16th century Italian painting "Madonna with Child and Two Saints [unidentified]." The saint on the right (a martyr) gives new meaning to the phrase "a splitting headache."

Looking ahead

Ukraine Post has announced plans to release another Christmas stamp this year; it remains to be seen what subject(s) will be depicted.

Preliminary stamp-issuing plans for 1999 include several with religious topics. Under a listing of Special Persons is Ukraine's patron, St. Andrew, while the topic Ukrainian Folk Arts includes the "Sviatohorska Zymnenska Icon of Mary, Mother of God." The category of Religious Holidays consists of St. Valentine's, Christmas, as well as "Vesnianky" and "Hahilky" (for Eastertime).

A stamp honoring St. Valentine's Day would be quite unique, as this is not a holiday that has ever been observed in Ukraine. The U.S. has issued "Love" stamps occasionally since 1973, but never one solely for the February 14 holiday. Canada, which is well-known for its striking and innovative stamp designs, has never produced either a Love or St. Valentine's stamp.

Easter stamps, too, are a bit unusual. Ukraine released one in 1993 showing a wooden candelabra, krashanky (solid-colored Easter eggs), and babky (glazed Easter breads). But this issue was not, strictly speaking, religious.

Nonetheless, these plans would seem to indicate that Ukraine is slowly reaffirming its religious heritage. We can all look forward to the new year and what promise to be some very exciting new stamp releases.

My best wishes for a joyful Christmas and happy New Year to all readers of The Ukrainian Weekly!

Dr. Ingert Kuzych may be contacted at: P.O. Box 3, Springfield, VA 22150.

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