Relationship between floral summer stamps and the current summer heat

The current heat of the weather, which we are experiencing and witnessing especially now and in previous years with extremely high temperatures under the influence of climate change, has led me to delve into the issuance of a number of summer stamp issues. The climate clearly has an influence on the issuance of summer stamps, in both a literal and figurative sense. Flowers and art Certainly not without reason, the National Summer Stamp Fund has issued flowers on stamps eleven times over the years (1952, 1953, 1960, 1982, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2008). The symbolic language of floriography supports the summer stamp issues with a financial surcharge for the goals and activities of social and cultural organizations. Of the eleven summer stamp issues, nine are realistically executed, while two have a less recognizable, more abstract approach. Upon close comparison, details have changed between the painted flowers and the stamp images, including those of the lily. – Graphic designer Fons Haagmans deliberately did not create realistic images, but stylized (simplified) them, like those found in heraldry and on the illustrations of playing card decks (tarot): “I first painted the six flowers in a large format and then scanned them, digitally edited them, and reduced them to postage stamp size. In doing so, I combine the classical working method with modern techniques.” Top row: iris, lily, poppy / papaver, lily & iris. Bottom row: tulip, Tudor rose, thistle, Tudor rose & rose. – Haagmans executes the painting using the stenciling technique. The differently colored parts are cut out of the drawn image of, for example, a poppy on cardboard. The cut-out sections (templates) are successively filled with colors (red & black) by dipping a brush onto paper lying underneath the cardboard. The execution of this decoration method is fairly simple, where red is covered as black is applied (or vice versa). – Haagmans is primarily interested in the symbolism / meaning of the flowers and not whether they are entirely lifelike (like a Tudor rose). – Haagmans personally executed the graphic elements, such as numbers and letters, in his own handwriting using computer control: “To ensure that every 'e' or 'd' would look the same, I standardized the letters using the computer. I wanted to be involved in every facet of the stamp in this way.” Summer stamps 1992 The Floriade stamp issue was issued on the occasion of the World Horticultural Exhibition in 1992. Designer Neville Brody captured the universally all-encompassing character of the horticultural exhibition through computer processing in the vibrant colors and playful forms of the great diversity of stylized flowers, shrubs/trees, and leaves/stems. The horizontal and vertical placement of the typography refers to the earthly flat and heavenly upward character of the flora at Floriade 1992. Floriography of the 2004 summer stamps 1) The designation 'summer stamps' primarily relates to the stamps' issuance period during the summer. Moreover, these new charity stamps clearly distinguish themselves from the children's stamps, which are issued in the autumn/winter. 2) The frequent use of flowers on the summer stamps is related to knowledge from centuries ago. In the 19th century (Victorian period 1837 – 1901), secret love messages were sent to circumvent social conventions. The flower was not only used as a decorative element but, at that time, also as a means of communication by the wealthy elite. By consulting a flower dictionary, a bouquet could be deciphered. This knowledge has faded, but its purpose remains: * a red rose symbolizes love. * a white lily stands for mourning. * a tulip represents romance and friendship. * a thistle with prickly leaves refers to defense and protection. * a poppy symbolizes hope, comfort, and remembrance of the dead. After the First World War, poppies bloom frequently on battlefields in Flanders. * Tudor rose: the red rose (symbol of the House of York) with the white heart (symbol of the House of Lancaster) unites two families who fought each other for hegemony in England during the medieval Wars of the Roses. The Tudor rose is an artificially developed, non-existent rose. 3) The language of flowers possesses a charitable (benevolent) enhancing, generous, and uplifting atmosphere and mood, which is considerably reinforced by the attractive and beautiful summer weather.