100th anniversary of death Alexander Freiherr von Humbold - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1959 - 40

On May 6, 1959, the hundredth anniversary of the day on which one of the great figures of German intellectual history, the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, departed from this earth, which, with his life's work and on daring journeys, as far as America and Asia from the spiritual point of view opened up to his contemporaries. His memorial is dedicated to the commemorative stamp, which appears on the 100th anniversary of his death. From the beginning a pure portrait mark was planned. Contemporary portrait portraits were left to the artists involved in the drafting process. One of the invited graphic designers has renounced the cooperation. Prof. Paul Dietrich has come up with a draft. Herbert Kern provided two proposals. The Art Advisory Board considered the design of Herbert Kern, which was conceived in two colors, for the entire system of the brand. The artist was encouraged to rework the design for a monochrome steel engraving, using his beautiful drawing. The head should appear on a dark background. The Federal Minister of Posts and Telecommunications has approved the proposal of his Art Advisory Board and made his decision in accordance with the proposals. The further penetration of the task by the artist led, after various attempts, to the excellent form which now exists. The stamp was made in the Bundesdruckerei as a gravure printing blue.