Our Hobby Corner

Tag: art

  • Stamps: Hermitage Museum

    This is a truly beautiful and historically rich part of Dad’s award-winning philatelic collection. These USSR stamps from the 1980s showcase masterpieces from the Hermitage Museum, meticulously documented with his clear and careful handwriting.

    1. Rembrandt Paintings in Hermitage (1983)

    This page honors Rembrandt van Rijn, with USSR stamps featuring some of his most expressive works from the Hermitage Museum, including:

    • Portrait of an Old Woman
    • Portrait of a Learned Man
    • Old Warrior
    • Portrait of B. Martens Doomer
    • Sacrifice of Abraham
    • A souvenir sheet: Portrait of an Old Man

    These stamps reflect the USSR’s dedication to celebrating classical European art, and Rembrandt’s works are a highlight of the Hermitage collection.

    🖼 2. Spanish Paintings in Hermitage (1985)

    Celebrating Spanish masters:

    • Still Life by Antonio Pereda
    • Knife Grinder by Puga
    • The Youth of the Virgin by Francisco de Zurbarán
    • Ascension of Mary by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
    • Portrait of Count Olivarez by Diego Velázquez
    • Souvenir sheet: Portrait of Doña Antonia Zárate by Francisco Goya

    Goya’s portrait is especially notable — elegantly framed in a mini-sheet format.

    🖼 3. English Paintings in Hermitage (1984)

    Focusing on English portraiture and romanticism:

    • E.K. Vorontsova by George Hayter
    • Approaching Storm by George Morland
    • Mrs. Greer by George Romney
    • Portrait of an Unknown Man by Marcus Gheeraerts
    • Cupid Untying the Robe of Venus by Joshua Reynolds
    • Souvenir sheet: Portrait of the Duchess of Beaufort by Thomas Gainsborough

    This page beautifully blends portraiture and romantic themes popular in British art of the 18th–19th centuries.

    🖼 4. Foreign Art Masterpieces (1977–1978)

    A special thematic page:

    • Judith by Giorgione – Issued for his 500th birth anniversary (1977)
    • Diana by Paolo Veronese – 450th birth anniversary (1978)

    These souvenir sheets stand out for their golden frames and commemorative importance.

    🖼 5. Italian Paintings in Hermitage (1982)

    Featuring a powerful collection of Renaissance works:

    • Portrait of an Actor – Domenico Fetti
    • Danaë – Titian
    • St. Sebastian – Perugino
    • Portrait of a Woman – Correggio
    • Portrait of a Young Man – Carpioni
    • Souvenir sheet: Portrait of a Young Woman – Francesco Melzi

    The Italian Renaissance influence is evident here, and this page showcases a wide range of moods from sacred to sensual.

    🔍 Highlights:

    • All stamps are СССР (USSR) issues, many with Hermitage Museum themes.
    • Each sheet includes precise dating, matching cancel marks, and handwritten annotations — showing Dad’sdedication to detail.
    • The souvenir sheets are especially rare and beautifully framed.
    • The structure reflects a philatelic exhibition format,aligned with international exhibit standards.

  • These images show collections of vintage matchbox labels from various themes, regions, and historical periods. Matchbox labels were popular collectibles during the 20th century and are a significant part of philumeny (the hobby of collecting match-related items). Here’s a breakdown of what is visible:

    1. Sports-Themed Labels (HEMA, Series 1-20):

    • These colorful labels depict various sports, such as hockey, swimming, skiing, and cycling.
    • Likely produced by HEMA, a Dutch retail chain, as promotional or collectible items.
    • The vibrant design and cartoon-like illustrations indicate they might date from the 1970s or earlier.

    2. Inventors and Inventions (SPAR):

    • These labels feature portraits of famous inventors (e.g., Thomas Edison) and their inventions (e.g., light bulb, steam engine).
    • SPAR, a multinational grocery retailer, appears to have issued these labels.
    • They celebrate technological and scientific achievements, making them both educational and collectible.

    3. Aircraft History (Russian):

    • This set focuses on aviation history, likely from a Russian perspective, given the Cyrillic text.
    • The illustrations include early aviation designs and notable airplanes, with a focus on Soviet-era contributions.
    • These labels would appeal to enthusiasts of aviation history.

    4. Czechoslovakian Heraldry (Czech Coats of Arms):

    • These labels depict coats of arms from cities and regions in former Czechoslovakia.
    • Likely issued to promote national heritage and regional pride, possibly in the mid-20th century.
    • The text in Czech provides descriptions of the heraldic symbols.

    5. Cultural Costumes (Japanese Text):

    • Labels show traditional costumes from different countries, with Japanese text suggesting these were made for the Japanese market.
    • They highlight the cultural diversity of the world through clothing.
    • These are likely educational, promoting international understanding.

    6. Portuguese Zodiac Series:

    • Labels depicting zodiac signs (e.g., Leo, Gemini), possibly from Portugal.
    • Simple, artistic designs indicate they might be promotional items from a match manufacturer.
    • The additional labels include other promotional or thematic content.

    7. Russian Scientists and Mathematicians:

    • Portraits of notable Russian scientists and mathematicians, with accompanying diagrams or formulas representing their contributions.
    • This set honors figures such as Mikhail Lomonosov (scientist) and Sofia Kovalevskaya (mathematician).
    • These likely originate from the Soviet era, reflecting a focus on scientific achievements.

    Historical and Collectible Value:

    • These labels are excellent examples of mid-20th-century advertising and cultural promotion.
    • They represent themes like sports, science, national pride, and global cultures.
    • Collectors value them for their historical significance, artistic merit, and rarity.