1992

[Editor's note: we do not attest to the accuracy or completeness of these notes which are provided by the Croatian and Slovenian Postal authorities.] 

• Date / Vrijednost: / Vrijednost: April 8, 1992
• Designer / Autor: / Autor:s:  Kogoj, Delo
• Printer:  DELO - TISKARNA d.d., Ljubljana
• Perforation: Dentelé,  14,00x14,00
• Impression: Papier, Filigrane 
• Colors: Multicolor
• Denomination: 27 T

Motif: A portrait of Guiseppe Tartini, Amati's and Kogoj's violins.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Slovenia has issued a special postage stamp to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Tartini.

The composer and great master of violin Giuseppe Tartini was born on April 8, 1692 in Piran (Pirano). As a composer he created an extensive output of sonatas and concertos, as a scientist he published a number of theoretical treatises, as a pedagogue he founded a renowned violin school, which was one of the most famous schools of its kind in the 18th century.

See also: Prominent Istrians - Giuseppe Tartini

• Date of issue: July 28, 1992
• Value: 30,00HRD
• Author: mr. Toni Nikolić, biolog iz Zagreba
• Size: 35,5 x 29,82 mm
• Paper: white 90g, gummed
• Perforation: 14,
• Tehnique: Multicoloured Offsetprint
• Printed by: "Zrinski" - Čakovec
• Quantity: 350000

HPT - Croatian Post end Telecommunications issued two commemorative stamps bearing the motif of endemic plants of Croatia: Degenia of the Velebit (Degenia Velebitica) and Bluebell of the Biokovo (Edraianthus pumilio)

Croatia is famous for its picturesque natural sights and scenic beauties. A number of endemic and relict plants are to be found in that crossroad of several vegetational regions. Some of them are rare remnants of very old flora, going as back as to the Tertial, and belong to the most interesting plants of Europe.

The bellflower genus from the Biokovo is 1 - 3 centimetres (1/2 to 1 1/2 inches) low, occurs in the crevices on the mountain of Biokovo, exposed to the most violent blasts of the bora, to the hot sumer sun, to the heaviest draughts and extreme winter colds. In June or July this tiny bellflower flowers with big blue bell-shaped flowers bigger then the stem itself. The white flowers occur sometimes in this species. The bellflower of the Biokovo is highly decorative, it is native only to this Croatian mountain whose name it is bearing. It is the treasure of our vegetal world.

(HRV) FLORA OF THE REGION OF CROATIA - Degenia of the Velebit (Degenia Velebitica)

• Date of issue: July 28, 1992
• Value: 85,00HRD
• Author: mr. Toni Nikolić, biolog iz Zagreba
• Size: 35,5 x 29,82 mm
• Paper: white 90g, gummed
• Perforation: 14,
• Tehnique: Multicoloured Offsetprint
• Printed by: "Zrinski" - Čakovec
• Quantity: 350000

Croatia is famous for its picturesque natural sights and scenic beauties. A number of endemic and relict plants are to be found in that crossroad of several vegetational regions. Some of them are rare remnants of very old flora, going as back as to the Tertial, and belong to the most interesting plants of Europe.

Degenia of the Velebit is a modest, inconspicuous, extremely rare plant, created to become world-spread by the philatelic way of presentation and experiencing. It occurs only on Velebit, Croatia, on three highly limited spots. It was first discovered by botanists Degen July 17, 1902. Degenia is a survivor of flora almost erased by climatic and geologic changes. It survived on Velebit because this Croatian mountain had in the period of deglaciation different climate from the rest of European mountain chains. Degenia thrives on very sunny spots, supports well even the draughtness and extreme variations in temperature. The stems are 3 to 11 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) high. The rosete-like leaves are covered with silvery hairs, the yellow flowers have butfour petals in the shape of human nails. It flowers after the snow thaws, in its habitat it occurs in the last weeks of May or in the beginning of June.

Stamps were printed in sheets of 25 pieces. HPT put on sale commemorative envelopes of the first day of issue (FDC) and a commemorative sheet of stamps.

• Date of issue: July 30, 1992
• Value: 40,00HRD
• Author: Dragutin Cifrek, academic painter from Ljubljana
• Size: 35,5 x 29,82 mm
• Paper: white 90g, gummed
• Perforation: 14,
• Tehnique: Multicoloured Offsetprint
• Printed by: "Zrinski" - Čakovec
• Quantity: 350000 

The environmental consciousness of many in the world of science and the concerned public began to awaken in the 1960-s, culminating in the First World Conference on the Environmental Protection (Stockholm, June 5, 1973). As far as the protection of wildlife is concerned, Croatia is one of most outstanding European countries. Some species, almost extinct in some European countries, survive in Croatia, although their number is restricted.

"The Bluebird of the Rockies" - Every close observer will be struck up by the heavenly blue icterid flying over the towering Paklenica Canyon or on any Croatian sheer island. This is Monticola Solitarius, bluebird, tinier than the starling. It is especially unsociable in May when mating and breeding. Mates are slatebluish, females rather pale, bluish-brown on the upperside, brown on the lowerside. When the time is fine, the canyons and the towering ridges are alive with strong song of the bluebird resembling the sound of the blackbird.

• Date of issue: July 30, 1992
• Value: 40,00HRD
• Author: Dragutin Cifrek, academic painter from Ljubljana
• Size: 35,5 x 29,82 mm
• Paper: white 90g, gummed
• Perforation: 14,
• Tehnique: Multicoloured Offsetprint
• Printed by: "Zrinski" - Čakovec
• Quantity: 350000 

The environmental consciousness of many in the world of science and the concerned public began to awaken in the 1960-s, culminating in the First World Conference on the Environmental Protection (Stockholm, June 5, 1973). As far as the protection of wildlife is concerned, Croatia is one of most outstanding European countries. Some species, almost extinct in some European countries, survive in Croatia, although their number is restricted.

"The red-spots" - attract the notice by their beauty although only a few people think that the snakes are beautiful. This snake is not very common, it is widespread over most of the Mediterranean region, especially in winward cliffs of the Velebit Massif and in adjoining two Canyons of Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica. Typical representative of its species, it feeds on insects, later on rodents and tiny reptiles. The cinnamon-red spots make this snake very conspicious when removed from its natural background; it is one of the myriad ways in which protected organisms have mimicked to gain protection from predators on reddish limestone. It is rather decorative than a poisonous species, and a lot of young "red-spots" perish because of human curiosity.

(SLO) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF TRAINED DOGS

• Date of issue: September 4, 1992

• Design: Janez Suhadolc

• Printer: DELO - TISKARNA d.d., Ljubljana Realization: Pola (25)

• Perforation: line

• Size: 31,30*42,60

• Paper: muflep 90g,gummed

• Face value: 40 SIT

• Print quantity: 150000

Motif: Karstic Shepard, autochtonous breed in Slovenia - also known as Istrian Sheepdog.

The stamp depicts a karstic shepherd, the only autochtonous breed in Slovenia - medium-tall and strong, with a rich, dark iron-grey fur and dark grey stripes on his legs. It is a quiet and good-natured and at the same time brave and untiring dog. It is strongly attached to his master and is a very pleasing house-dog. It was mentioned for the first time in J.V. Valvasor's Glory of the Dutcy of Carniola in 1689. It was recognised and registered as a breed at the International FCI meeting in 1939.

See also: Flora & Fauna, Fauna - Herding Dogs

• Date of issue: November 27, 1992

The stamp's motif gives away its theme. The discoveries of space pioneer Hermann Potocnik are closely linked to modern communications technology. Hermann Potocnik, born the son of an imperial navy doctor on December 22, 1892 in Pola, Istria, is considered the inventor of the geo-stationary synchronized orbital path, one of the fundamental basis of modern satellite and communications technology. The path of orbit, at an altitude of roughly 36,000 kilometers, guarantees optimal transfer of radio waves. 

For many years, however, international recognition for this pioneering discovery was denied Potocnik. Only during a congress from April 24-25, 1976 was the significance of his discovery to contemporary space exploration and space travel confirmed, albeit posthumously, before an audience of aerospace scientists, cosmologists, and political and economic personalities. Already in 1929 Potocnik wanted to establish a manned space station on this orbital route, however, at the time it was not known that it is unsuitable for manned flights since it is situated outside earth's magnetic field and influenced by solar winds. Potocnik, who published under the pseudonym Noordung died on August 27, 1929 at the age of 37.

***

Austrian Pioneer of Space Travel Honoured

Herman Potocnik was born on 22 December 1892, and in space literature he is known as the inventor and discoverer of the synchron course where -today’s geostationary satellites are placed. His discovery was prerequisite to the positioning of Communications satellites at a height of around 36,000 km.

In a book published in 1929 ‘The problems of Space Travel — The Rocket Motor’ he wrote:

‘An observation point in empty space: Every body circling around the earth 42,300 km above the centre of the earth in an orbit parallel to the equator, remains permanently floating above a fixed point on the earths surface, The body stays above a defined equator point, 35,900 km above the earth, as can be deducted from the earth’s radius of around 6,400 km. Such a body represents something like the peak of an enormously high tower whose force of inertia, although not existing in reality, is replaced by the effect of centrifugal forces. This floating ‘lower Peak can be enlarged to any size and appropriately furnished. A building would emerge which, though forever belonging to the earth and even being in a fixed position relevant to her, is nevertheless stationed in empty space far above the atmosphere. It is an observation point at 35,900,000 km above sea-level.'

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Herman Potocnik, the Austrian Postal Authority have issued a 10s stamp featuring the earth with a satellite in orbit around it. Today, television transmissions via satellites from the landing on the Moon or the Olympic flames can be watched by millions of viewers on all continents. The civil and military value of his discoveries, published in 1929, is inestimable today. Now, the entire mankind benefits from Potocnik’s brilliant ideas. 

Potocnik also performed the first systematic research of manned space travel. He designed a space station, consisting of a residential wheel, a power station and an observatory. Today’s space platforms were designed and built after ideas developed by Potocnik 50 years earlier. Potocnik, together with the English science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, are considered fathers of today’s communications satellites, whose importance continues to increase, In 1965, the American space physician, Campbell found the most beautiful words for Herman Potocnik-Noordung: ‘…..he lived and died long before his time’.

Submitted by Prof, Herbert Pichler
(“Moon Pichler”), Vienna, via the Austrian Postal Authority

• Date of issue: November 27, 1992
• First day of issue postmark: 61106 Ljubljana
• Motif: Potoenik's draft proposal for a manned space station of 30 m in diameter, a view of the Earth from space, the portrait of the scientist
• Design: Grega Košak
• Printer: DELO - TISKARNA d.d., Ljubljana
• Realization: Pola (25)
• Perforation: line
• Size: 42,60*31,30
• Paper: muflep 90g,gummed
• Face value: 46 SIT
• Print quantity: 150000

Herman Potočnik (1892 - 1929) 

Herman Potočnik, born in Pola, Istria of Slovene descent on both his father's and mother's side, dedicated his entire life till his early death in Vienna to the problem of travels in the Universe. His efforts are incorporated in his only, yet fundamental work which he published in 1929 in Berlin, shortly before his death, under the pseudonym of H. Noordung: "Das Problem der Befahrung des Weltraums" (The problem of Space Travels). This work has been credited with merits of having influenced the subsequent German and American plans and practical execution of space projects.

Bibliography:

• Croatian Post Inc. - Croatian Postage Stamps - English & Hrvatski
• Post of Slovenia - Stamp Land
• The Astro Space Stamp Society - Space Stamp Profile (100th Anniv. of Space Pioneer Hermann Potocnik)
• Philatelic Snippets - Austrian Pioneer of Space Travel Honored