FOCUS ON PHILATELY: Your chance to choose (05/16/99)

FOCUS ON PHILATELY

by Ingert Kuzych

Your chance to choose

On March 1, 1992, newly independent Ukraine began once more to issue its own stamps. The following year I launched a ballot, open to all, for an award to recognize the best stamp design of 1992. This stamp selection process has become an annual event, with votes being cast for the outstanding design of the previous year.

The award is named the Heorhii Narbut Prize after Ukraine's famous graphic artist of the early 20th century. He designed the 30-, 40- and 50-shah values of Ukraine's first stamp series (see The Ukrainian Weekly, February 14) and also many of Ukraine's first bank notes.

The Narbut Prize initiative has not only met but exceeded my expectations. One of the primary goals in setting up the award was to improve the stamp designs generated by Ukraine Post, and this aim has certainly been accomplished. Ukrainian stamps continue to improve every year, serving as splendid philatelic ambassadors to the world. Additionally, the establishment of the prize has generated keen interest among Ukrainian artists eager to vie for the substantial monetary award. (The amount presented easily exceeds what the artists obtain from the government for their stamp designs.)

Although the response to the Narbut Prize has been favorable - Ukraine Post cites the voting results in listing its best stamp of the year - I'm constantly seeking new publicity venues to encourage wider voter participation. And what better way to help increase balloting - while at the same time exposing readers to Ukraine's beautiful philatelic issues than to include an election form in The Weekly! This month's column, then, will consist of short descriptions of all of last year's stamp releases, followed by a form for your selection. Ballots may be photocopied if more than one member of a household wishes to vote.

No. Description

180 Volodymyr Sosiura (1898-1965): Commemorating the centenary of this outstanding poetÕs birth.

181-182 Winter Olympics 1998, Nagano, Japan: Two designs depict a figure skater and a biathlete.

183 Bilhorod Dnistrovskyi: Com-memorates the 2,500-year anniversary of the founding of this ancient city; shown is a colorful rendition of the cityÕs famous fortress (built in the 15th century).

184 Honoring the Ukrainian Black Sea Fleet: The stamp portion (right) depicts the frigate Hetman Sahaidachnyi; the attached label (left) shows a sailing ship, the monument to sailors lost at sea, and the building in Sevastopol where the philatelic exhibit ÒUk

185 Ukrainian Coins: Past and Present: Souvenir sheet issued in conjunction with last yearÕs meeting in Kyiv for the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

186 The Festival of Ivan Kupalo: Europa Series: The midsummer celebration is depicted with a girl in folk costume floating a candle-lit garland on water (part of a divination ritual).

187 The Nature Preserve ÒAskania NovaÓ: This souvenir sheet shows various animals from the wildlife sanctuary as well as a prehistoric stone statue (Òkamiana babaÓ) on the left.

188-191 * Paintings From the Lviv Picture Gallery: The triptych displays a ÒPortrait of Maria Theresea,Ó ÒMadonna with ChiIdÓ and ÒMan with a Cello.Ó The souvenir sheet is titled ÒMadonna with Child and Two Saints.Ó

192 Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Centennial: This souvenir sheet shows a frontal view of the institute and part of the Kyiv skyline.

193 Askold and Dyr: The stamp depicts the two semi-legendary ninth century rulers of Kyiv, the attached label (top) reproduces the text from the ancient chronicles describing their joint reign.

194 350th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Ukrainian Struggle for Freedom under Bohdan Khmelnytsky: Elaborate souvenir sheet presents a portrait of the famous hetman in the upper center, his crest on the bottom and weapons along the sides. Various battle s

195 1,100 Years of the City of Halych: Depicts the bejeweled crown of King Danylo, which was presented to him in 1253 by the pope in recognition of his rule over the Halych-Volyn Kingdom.

196 * Anna Yaroslavna (ca. 1024-ca.1075): Daughter of Yaroslav the Wise (ÒFather-in-Law of EuropeÓ), she became queen of France in 1049 and regent for her son in 1060-1062. The stamp shows her holding the model of a church she sponsored as well as the royal s

197 Yuriy Fedorovych Lysiansky (1773-1837): Issued on the 225th birth anniversary of the first Ukrainian to circumnavigate the globe. Lysiansky also explored various parts of the Pacific.

198 Natalia Uzhvii (1898-1986): Centennial of the famous actress and theatrical promoter.

199-203 Scientists of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute: The five prominent researchers depicted are: V.L. Kyrpychov, first director of KPI; Ye. O. Paton, pioneer in welding and metallurgy; S.P. Tymoshenko, materials scientist; I. I. Sikorsky, aviation pioneer and Ò

204 International Day of the Post and Postage Stamp Day: Shows a postal horn with trident.

205 Millennium of Chronicles and Books in Ukraine: Portrait of the earliest-known chronicler, the monk Nestor.

206-207 Historic Ukrainian Churches: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (Chernihiv, 11th century) and Pokrovsky Cathedral (Kharkiv, 17th century).

208-211 Wildlife Conservation: Four stamps depicting the wild duck Chervonovola Kazarka (Branta rificollis). Also released as a miniature sheet.

213 Hetman Petro Doroshenko (1627-1698): A portrait of the hetman (center), the battle at Chyhyryn (left), and Volokdamsk, where he was imprisoned (right).

214-215 Antonov Aviation: Two planes constructed at the Antonov airplane factory: the AN-140 and the AN-70.

216 Borys D. Hrinchenko (1863-1910): Issued on the 135th anniversary of the birth of the prominent civic leader, educator, writer, folklorist and linguist. In the background, behind a portrait of Hrinchenko, are the opening pages of his monumental dictionary

217 ÒMerry ChristmasÓ: Shown is a folk icon featuring carolers in Kozak-era folk costumes.

218 * 50 Years of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Australia: A map of the Southern Continent and a large Ò50Ó through which bloom the watarah of Australia and the kalyna of Ukraine.

219 ÒStar Wounds of the EarthÓ: The Illinetsk meteorite impact site. A representation of meteorites striking the earth some 400 million years ago near lllintsi, Vinnytsia Oblast, in Ukraine.

220-221 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights - Works of the Folk Artist Kateryna Bilokur: A central label shows a portrait of the well-known folk painter, while the two outer stamps show samples of her art: ÒFlowers in FogÓ (1940) and ÒBouquet of F

* Indicates that this stamp release has been described in a previous article that appeared in The Ukrainian Weekly.

NARBUT PRIZE BALLOT

Dear Mr. Eppel:

My selection for this year's Narbut Prize, as the best stamp design of 1998, is:

No. _________ Title _________________________________________

Sincerely, Mr.(s.) ____________________________________________

Mail this ballot to:
Mr. Patrick Eppel, 108 Pinewood Circle, Apple Valley, MN 55124.
The deadline for submitting ballots is August 15, 1999.

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No.	Description
180	Volodymyr Sosiura (1898-1965): Commemorating the centenary of this outstanding poetÕs birth.
181-182	Winter Olympics 1998, Nagano, Japan: Two designs depict a figure skater and a biathlete.
183	Bilhorod Dnistrovskyi: Com-memorates the 2,500-year anniversary of the founding of this ancient city; shown is a colorful rendition of the cityÕs famous fortress (built in the 15th century).
184	Honoring the Ukrainian Black Sea Fleet: The stamp portion (right) depicts the frigate Hetman Sahaidachnyi; the attached label (left) shows a sailing ship, the monument to sailors lost at sea, and the building in Sevastopol where the philatelic exhibit ÒUk
185	Ukrainian Coins: Past and Present: Souvenir sheet issued in conjunction with last yearÕs meeting in Kyiv for the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.
186	The Festival of Ivan Kupalo: Europa Series: The midsummer celebration is depicted with a girl in folk costume floating a candle-lit garland on water (part of a divination ritual).
187	The Nature Preserve ÒAskania NovaÓ: This souvenir sheet shows various animals from the wildlife sanctuary as well as a prehistoric stone statue (Òkamiana babaÓ) on the left.
188-191	* Paintings From the Lviv Picture Gallery: The triptych displays a ÒPortrait of Maria Theresea,Ó ÒMadonna with ChiIdÓ and ÒMan with a Cello.Ó The souvenir sheet is titled ÒMadonna with Child and Two Saints.Ó
192	Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Centennial: This souvenir sheet shows a frontal view of the institute and part of the Kyiv skyline.
193	Askold and Dyr: The stamp depicts the two semi-legendary ninth century rulers of Kyiv, the attached label (top) reproduces the text from the ancient chronicles describing their joint reign.
194	350th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Ukrainian Struggle for Freedom under Bohdan Khmelnytsky: Elaborate souvenir sheet presents a portrait of the famous hetman in the upper center, his crest on the bottom and weapons along the sides. Various battle s
195	1,100 Years of the City of Halych: Depicts the bejeweled crown of King Danylo, which was presented to him in 1253 by the pope in recognition of his rule over the Halych-Volyn Kingdom.
196	* Anna Yaroslavna (ca. 1024-ca.1075): Daughter of Yaroslav the Wise (ÒFather-in-Law of EuropeÓ), she became queen of France in 1049 and regent for her son in 1060-1062. The stamp shows her holding the model of a church she sponsored as well as the royal s
197	Yuriy Fedorovych Lysiansky (1773-1837): Issued on the 225th birth anniversary of the first Ukrainian to circumnavigate the globe. Lysiansky also explored various parts of the Pacific.
198	Natalia Uzhvii (1898-1986): Centennial of the famous actress and theatrical promoter.
199-203	Scientists of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute: The five prominent researchers depicted are: V.L. Kyrpychov, first director of KPI; Ye. O. Paton, pioneer in welding and metallurgy; S.P. Tymoshenko, materials scientist; I. I. Sikorsky, aviation pioneer and Ò
204	International Day of the Post and Postage Stamp Day: Shows a postal horn with trident.
205	Millennium of Chronicles and Books in Ukraine: Portrait of the earliest-known chronicler, the monk Nestor.
206-207	Historic Ukrainian Churches: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (Chernihiv, 11th century) and Pokrovsky Cathedral (Kharkiv, 17th century).
208-211	Wildlife Conservation: Four stamps depicting the wild duck Chervonovola Kazarka (Branta rificollis). Also released as a miniature sheet.
213	Hetman Petro Doroshenko (1627-1698): A portrait of the hetman (center), the battle at Chyhyryn (left), and Volokdamsk, where he was imprisoned (right).
214-215	Antonov Aviation: Two planes constructed at the Antonov airplane factory: the AN-140 and the AN-70.
216	Borys D. Hrinchenko (1863-1910): Issued on the 135th anniversary of the birth of the prominent civic leader, educator, writer, folklorist and linguist. In the background, behind a portrait of Hrinchenko, are the opening pages of his monumental dictionary
217	ÒMerry ChristmasÓ: Shown is a folk icon featuring carolers in Kozak-era folk costumes.
218	* 50 Years of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Australia: A map of the Southern Continent and a large Ò50Ó through which bloom the watarah of Australia and the kalyna of Ukraine.
219	ÒStar Wounds of the EarthÓ: The Illinetsk meteorite impact site. A representation of meteorites striking the earth some 400 million years ago near lllintsi, Vinnytsia Oblast, in Ukraine.
220-221	50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights - Works of the Folk Artist Kateryna Bilokur: A central label shows a portrait of the well-known folk painter, while the two outer stamps show samples of her art: ÒFlowers in FogÓ (1940) and ÒBouquet of F
* Indicates that this stamp release has been described in a previous article that appeared in The Ukrainian Weekly.