Johannes Jessenius

Theme: People/ doctor
Country: Poland
Design: V. Rostoka, F. Horniak, A. Sancewicz
Year: 2016

The stamp was issued to commemorate the 450th birthday anniversary of Johannes Jessenius/ Jan Jessenius - philosopher, physician and politician.

Jessenius was born to a noble family on Dec. 27, 1566 in Wroclaw, Poland. He studied in Wittenberg, Leipzig (Germany) and in Padva (Italy).

At first, Jessenius worked as a physician in Wroclaw. Later he became personal doctor of prince Wilhelm in Dresden and was anatomy, surgery and botany professor at the Wittenberg university.

When in Prague (1600), he carried out the first ever autopsy in that part of the world.

Jessenius' professional career developed steadily - he was personal physician of king Matthias (king of Bohemia); in 1616 the scientist was elected rector of Prague university. At that time Jessenius started his interest in politics. As a result of the political involvement, Jessenius was imprisoned, and finally, executed on June 21, 1621. His head was buried beneath the flooring of Church of Our Lady before Týn (Prague).

Denmark

Theme: Fairy Tales/Andersen
Design: Shen Jiahong / Martin Mörck
Country: Denmark
Year: 2012

The picture is an illustration to the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen "Hvad fatter gør, det er altid det rigtige" ('What the Old Man Does is Always Right'- click on the title to read the story).

I have been to Denmark twice - last time it was in 1991, ages ago. Well, in the previous century :-). I stayed at my friends, natives of Denmark, who did make my stay very enjoyable and unforgettable as well. They showed me the country - quite a few cities and various tourists attractions, including Copenhagen, Arhus, Aalborg, Fårup Sommerland (water park and amusement park), Skagen - a picturesqe village - the place where Skagerrak meets Kattegat, and many more.



I loved the climate there - a bit unpredictable but very refreshing. I loved the people - I also met some of my friends' neighbors and relatives.
Wish we could meet again. Soon.

Ralph Ellison

Theme: people/ writer
Series: 'Literary Arts' 
Country: USA
Stamp Artwork: K. Nelson
Design: E. Kessler  
Year: 2014


Ralph Waldo Ellison (03/01/1914 - 04/16/1994) - American novelist, writer, literary critic and scholar. In 1953, his novel 'Invisible Man' was awarded with National Book Award.
Ellison also wrote series of essays, including 'Shadow and Act' (1964) and 'Going to the Territory' (1986).

Other novels by R.W.Ellison:
'Juneteenth' - published after his death (1999)
'Flying Home and other Stories' (1996)
'Three days Before Shooting...' (unfinished work - published in 2010)