World Cultural Stamp Appreciation Grand Atlas (Dramatists and Filmmakers)

Author: Xue Dade (Editor-in-Chief), Zheng Deshu (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Stamp collecting is a cultural, recreational, and appreciative activity with broad popular appeal. I am not a professional stamp collector, although I have reached the age of 80 and still undertake a heavy compilation task, with numerous social engagements, I still enjoy stamp collecting. Stamp collecting has indeed brought me much joy in my leisure time, and through interactions with other stamp enthusiasts, I have continuously acquired new knowledge and methods in stamp collecting, further enhancing my interest and proficiency in the hobby. Recently, Mr. Xue Dade, a veteran stamp collector from Shanghai, wrote to me, saying that he and four other stamp collectors had collaborated on a comprehensive stamp album titled "Appreciation of Stamp Portraits of World Cultural Figures" and asked me to write a preface. Having long been engaged in cultural work and concerned with the development of stamp culture, I could not refuse and thus took the liberty of writing a few words here. This stamp album is grand in scale, rich in content, and comprehensive in its categories. Collecting such a vast number of stamps, first-day covers, and used postage stamps, as well as introducing related knowledge, requires extensive research, a significant investment of time and effort, and considerable financial resources—truly no easy feat. It is a book that excels both in content and form, serving as both a popular and professional resource; it is both a stamp collecting guide and an excellent tool for art, culture, and history education, making it worthy of recommendation to a broad readership, particularly to fellow stamp enthusiasts and young friends.
Of course, this album primarily uses stamps to help readers gain a basic understanding of world cultural figures. Its role is akin to a signpost, guiding readers to approach these individuals. However, to truly delve into their life stories and artistic achievements, one must directly read their works and consult authoritative biographies and research studies to truly enter their inner world, understand their significant contributions to human civilization, and appreciate their brilliance and greatness. If this album can inspire readers to explore this path, then its achievement would be immense!
This five-volume set includes:
- Artists: Collects portraits or works of over 600 world-renowned painters, sculptors, artisans, and architects.
- Musicians: Collects composers, instrumentalists, and singers, totaling over 500 figures.
- Literati: Includes novelists, essayists, poets, and literary critics, numbering over 700.
- Theatrical and Cinematic Figures: Encompasses playwrights and performing artists, with nearly 500 entries.
- Nobel Laureates: Features winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics, numbering over 500.
Together, these volumes present approximately 3,000 portraits or works of cultural figures on stamps, accompanied by concise and informative introductions to their life stories and significant contributions. The selected stamps, first-day covers, and used postage stamps are all rare and exquisite, with compact and elegant designs, offering a delightful visual artistic experience. This book blends knowledge and appreciation, serving as an enriching and enjoyable read.
Combining knowledge with artistic appreciation, this album not only succinctly introduces the experiences and achievements of cultural figures but also employs the philosophy of stamp collecting culture. Through a wealth of stamps, rare first-day covers, postage stamps, and (limitation postcards), it presents multi-dimensional portrayals of cultural figures, their works, and other illustrations, making it a vividly illustrated resource.
The arrangement of figures in this album follows a consistent order based on continents and geographical regions, with minor adjustments to reflect their historical contributions to world civilization. Within the same country, figures are listed in chronological order by era. In the fifth volume, Nobel laureates are arranged by their award years due to their unique circumstances.
For easy reference to the countries, regions, and issue dates of the stamps, the relevant annotations are uniformly placed in the upper corners of the stamps. The names of countries in the stamps are marked according to the official names at the time of issue.