World Cultural Stamp Appreciation . Dramatists and Filmmakers

Author: Xue Dade, Zheng Deshu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Stamp collecting is a cultural, recreational, and aesthetic 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 editorial 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 seasoned stamp collector from Shanghai, wrote to me, saying that he had collaborated with four other stamp collectors to compile a comprehensive illustrated catalog of stamps featuring world cultural figures. He asked me to write a preface. As someone who has long been engaged in cultural work and has shown concern for the development of stamp culture, I found it difficult to refuse and thus took the liberty of writing a few words here.
This stamp catalog is grand in scale, rich in content, and comprehensive in its coverage. Collecting such a vast number of stamps, first-day covers, and used postage stamps, as well as introducing related knowledge, requires extensive research, significant time and effort, and considerable financial investment—truly no small 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. It is highly recommended to a wide readership, particularly to fellow stamp enthusiasts and, especially, to young friends.
Of course, this catalog primarily helps readers gain a basic understanding of world cultural figures through stamps. Its role is akin to a signpost, guiding readers toward these individuals. To truly delve into their life stories and artistic achievements, however, 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 catalog can inspire readers to undertake such exploration, then its achievement would be immeasurable!
This catalog comprises five volumes:
- Artists features over 600 prominent painters, sculptors, artisans, and architects.
- Musicians includes over 500 composers, instrumentalists, and singers.
- Literati collects over 700 novelists, essayists, poets, and literary critics.
- Theater and Film features nearly 500 playwrights and performing artists.
- Nobel Laureates includes over 500 winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics.
Together, these volumes present portraits or works of approximately 3,000 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 refined visual artistic experience.
This book blends knowledge and appreciation, serving as an enlightening and enjoyable read.
The catalog integrates knowledge and artistic appreciation, not only providing concise introductions to the lives and achievements of cultural figures but also, through the lens of stamp culture, showcasing their portraits, works, and other illustrations with a wealth of stamps, rare first-day covers, postage stamps, and (limitation postcards), in a multi-layered manner. It is rich in both text and visuals.
The arrangement of figures in the catalog follows the geographical order of continents and countries, with minor adjustments based on their historical contributions to world civilization. Within the same country, figures are listed in chronological order of their eras. In the fifth volume, Nobel laureates are arranged by the order of their prize-winning years due to their unique circumstances.
For easy reference to the countries, regions, and issue dates of the stamps, the catalog uniformly places relevant reference text in the upper corners of the stamps. The names of countries are marked according to the names used at the time of issue.