1st anniversary of the death of John F. Kennedy - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1964 - 40 Pfennig

The special postage stamp appears at the same time and the same motif as the inscription »Deutsche Bundespost Berlin«. Shortly after US President John F. Kennedy fell victim to the nefarious murder in Dallas, the German Federal Post Office tackled the preparatory work for a commemorative token that would appear on the first anniversary of his death. Photographers sent to the tender were sent photographic images which were believed to be useful documents for the trademarked treatment of the image. Two designs were submitted by graphic designer Erika and Gerd Aretz and by Horst A. Rischka and Herbert Kern. Karl Oskar Blase provided five suggestions, among which were the four only representations in the profile. But they are just proving that from this point of view the dead President of the United States can not be credited with the characteristics that characterize him. All other proposals are concerned with the most realistic possible reproduction of the photograph, which offers a frontal view and is implemented without significant artistic penetration into the technique of freehand drawing. The Art Advisory Board was unable to find a single one out of the drafts that was worthy enough to honor a dead tribute. Meanwhile, it had been decided that the stamp should also be issued in Berlin. The widow of the murdered man and his brother, then Attorney General Robert Kennedy, had received new footage. The Federal Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications commissioned the Bundesdruckerei Berlin to have other drafts worked out by its graphic designers. From the six proposals received, the Federal Minister for Posts and Telecommunications selected one and ordered the execution. The stamp was made in the Bundesdruckerei Berlin in monochrome intaglio printing blue.