Post by kacyds on Oct 1, 2014 12:17:36 GMT -5
Rather than commemorating or breaking a record, a new Swiss stamp is an actual vinyl record that plays music.
The 5-franc stamp was issued Sept. 4 in a souvenir sheet.
In announcing the issue, Swiss Post said: “In many of us, the black 45 and 33 rpm vinyl discs evoke nostalgic memories. Now they are the subject of an exclusive miniature sheet included in the latest stamp issue. The latter will literally be music to the ears of many stamp enthusiasts.
“Even if the stamp, which is suitable for franking, is detached from the miniature sheet, a specially engraved soundtrack still allows the miniature sheet to be played on a record player which is set to 33 rpm. The soundtrack includes a brass band version of the Swiss national anthem.”
The 5fr stamp is designed to look like a vinyl record. The label area of the record surrounding the central spindle hole includes the country name “Helvetia”; the denomination “500” (for 500 centimes, or 5fr); the name of the national anthem Swiss Psalm in German, French, Italian and Romansh; and the name of the composer, Alberich Zwyssig.
The anthem’s lyrics came from a poem by Leonhard Widmer. The first verse is printed in fluorescent ink on four Swiss stamps issued May 5, 2011 (Scott 1422a-d), to commemorate the anthem’s 50th anniversary. Swiss Psalm was first performed in 1841, but did not become the national anthem until 120 years later.
The nonprofit Swiss Public Welfare Society organized a competition in 2013 to replace the lyrics to Swiss Psalm, but, if possible, maintain the melody by Zwyssig. More than 100 entries were received by the June deadline.
Thomas Rathgeb designed the new souvenir sheet. Joh. Enschede of the Netherlands printed it by offset using a special varnish on wood-free cardboard.
Article from Linns.com