Switzerland 2022

Switzerland

Date of Issue: 5th May 2022

2 stamps (2x 1.10 CHF)

 

William Tell - The story of a hero who had to shoot an apple placed on his child’s head is found in many different European collections of legends. But it was here in Switzerland where it became a fundamental part of the legend of how the nation was founded. William Tell achieved fame far beyond national borders as the courageous and fearless main character in Friedrich Schiller’s 1804 play of the same name. After the foundation of the federal state in 1848, William Tell became a major figure in shaping the identity of the emerging nation.

The young illustrator and graphic artist Elena Knecht has taken a fresh look at this subject. She sought to give a modern twist to the folk tale and to present it in a contemporary style.

The dramatic scene with the pierced apple probably comes from Nordic legends in the early Middle Ages. Travelling monks are believed to have brought these stories to Switzerland. The pierced apple is one of the most memorable and famous scenes in the William Tell story.

Monaco 2022

Monaco

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

one stamp (1.65 €)

the stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 10 stamps

The Monaco Stamp Office has chosen to depict François Grimaldi, known as Malizia, who, on the night of 8 January 1297, disguised as a Franciscan monk, took back the fortress of Monaco from the Ghibellines by deception, thus establishing the Grimaldi dynasty.

NOTE - In 1982, Monaco used the same legend for their Europa stamps issued on the theme "Historic events"!

Denmark 2022

Denmark

Date of issue: 19th May 2022

one souvenir-sheet of three stamps (2x 12.- & 1x 36.- DKK) - NOTE only the 36.- DKK value is bearing the Europa logo

Hardly any other place in Denmark than Bornholm has such a strong tradition of legends and tales connected with the supernatural world.
The rocky landscape is said to be inhabited by the underworld, who revealed themselves to the locals over the centuries.

San Marino 2022

San Marino

Date of Issue: 5th April 2022

two stamps (1.10 & 1.15 €)

 

Both stamps are issued in sheets of 12 stamps with decorated frame 

 

Those stamps depict the protagonists of the legend according to which one day, the pious man Marino, coming back from the field in the cave where he lived, saw a big bear near what was left of his faithful donkey, which had become food for the beast. Unafraid of the animal's size and danger, he began to talk to the bear, telling it that it should take the donkey's place and help him in the fields. And so he did.

Czech Republic 2022

Czech Rep.

Date of Issue: 6th April 2022

one stamp (E value = 39.- CZK)

the stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 6 stamps

According to a legend, Přemysl was a free peasant who attracted the notice of Libuše, daughter of a certain Krok, who ruled over a large part of Bohemia. Libuše succeeded her father, and her councillors demanded that she marry, but because Přemysl was not a nobleman she recounted a vision in which they would follow a horse let loose at a junction, and follow it to find her future husband, making it appear as if it was the will of fate not her own wish. Two versions of the legend exist, one in where they are to find a man ploughing a field with one broken sandal, and another in which the man would be sitting in the shade of a single tree, eating from an iron table (his plough). They did so and found Přemysl exactly as foretold. source Wikipedia.

France 2022

France

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

one stamp (1.65 €)

This stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 9 stamps

Mélusine is a figure of European folklore, a female spirit of fresh water in a holy well or river. She is usually depicted as a woman who is a serpent or fish from the waist down. Source Wikipedia.

NOTE - The legend of Mélusine is also used by Luxembourg on one of their two Europa stamps, this year!

Sweden 2022

Sweden

Date of Issue: 28th April 2022

one stamp (24.- SEK)