Eastern European Stamps of Women span a wide range of topics, from monarchs to saints and scientists, artists and performers, to social activists and heroines. The stamp issuances from these countries are as extraordinary as the women they depict. The Hungaria Stamp Exchange hopes you enjoy reading our newsletter and viewing our collection of stamps of women.
Monarchs
Two of the most influential female Eastern European monarchs whose combined reigns lasted almost 75 years were Catherine the Great of Russia and Maria Teresa, ruling the Hapsburg Empire. Both of these extraordinary rulers are depicted on Eastern European stamps.
Catherine the Great was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796 and the country’s longest-ruling female leader. She came to power following a coup d’état that she organized, resulting in her husband, Peter III being overthrown. During her reign Russia was revitalized; it grew larger and stronger and was recognized as one of the great powers of Europe and Asia.
During her reign, Catherine often relied on her noble favorites, most notably count Grigory Orlov and Grigory Potemkin to govern at a time when the Russian Empire was expanding rapidly by conquest and diplomacy. In the south, the Crimean Khanate was crushed following victories over the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish wars. Russia colonized the territories of Novorossiya along the coasts of the Black and Azov Seas. In the west, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, ruled by Catherine’s former lover, King Stanisław August Poniatowski, was eventually partitioned with the Russian Empire gaining the largest share. In the east, Russia started to colonize Alaska, establishing Russian America.
The period of Catherine the Great’s rule, the Catherinian Era, is considered the Golden Age of Russia. Catherine enthusiastically supported the ideals of the Enlightenment and is often included in the ranks of enlightened despots. As a patron of the arts, she presided over the age of the Russian Enlightenment, including the establishment of the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, the first state-financed higher education institution for women in Europe.
Maria Teresa Queen of the Hungarians, the Czechs and the Croatians, and Archduchess of Austria reigned from 1740 to 1780. As the wife of Francis l, Holy Roman Emperor she also had the title Empress and was the only female who reigned the Habsburg Monarchy. She was regarded as an enlightened ruler, a great stateswoman and a reformer who also extended the kingdoms she ruled. She sought modernization and formulated reforms in the judiciary, economy, education and military. Maria Teresa abolished torture and witch hunting and improved the position of the peasants. In her legacy, Maria Teresa’s lineage impacted many rulers of Europe. Of her 11 daughters and 5 sons, three became famous rulers, including Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and kings Joseph ll and Leopold ll.
A Joint Philatelic Issue Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Birth Of Maria Teresa was released in cooperation with Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia and Ukrainian Posts.
Diana, Princess of Wales may be one of the foremost celebrities of her time. First wife of King Charles, mother of Prince William, heir to the British throne.
Performers & Artists
Stamps of women performers are far ranging from Édith Piaf, a French singer-songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress noted as France’s most widely known international star, to internationally renowned classical pianist Annie Fischer and Hungarian Actress Klári Tolnay. And of course, a wonderful stamp tribute to world renown jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald on the Centenary of her birth. Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella.
Europa 1996 Famous Women depicts Poet Marie Under, Amalia Fleming, physician and social activist, painter Ivana Kobilca, opera singer Katya Popova, and of course humanitarian and saint Mother Teresa.
Hungary – Europa 1996 Famous Women : Queen Gisella and Bavarian Princess Elisabeth Wittelsbach (“Sisi”)
Saints & Scientists
Eastern Europeans offerings of stamps of women saints, scientists and adventurers include Hungaria Saints and Blessed series, Mother Teresa (Albania and Croatia) , Nobel Laureate Madam Marie Curie (Poland), Florence Nightingale (Macedonia) Founder of Modern Nursing and aviator Amelia Earhart (Romania).
Aviators
Romanian issuance of #3345-Inventors and Adventurers include Aviator Amelia Earhart. The Russian issuances of # 718-720 celebrates aviators Paulina Osipenko and Marina Raskova who completed the first nonstop record flight from Moscow to the Far East.
Social Causes, Activists and Heroes
Eastern European stamps offers wonderful issuances in celebration of International Women’s Day including International Women’s Day Hungary # B204 and Czechoslovakia # 445.
Russian stamp issuance honors “Lady Death”: Lyudmila Pavlichenko, the Greatest Female Sniper of All Time. Pavlichenko wasn’t just any soldier. She was the most successful female sniper in history. As a member of the Soviet Army during World War II, she killed over 300 Nazis soldiers and snipers. As the most feared female sniper in history, she earned the nickname “Lady Death.”
Pavlichenko was befriended by Eleanor Roosevelt, becoming the first Soviet citizen to be welcomed at the White House by President Franklin Roosevelt. Pavlichenko was only twenty-five when she had been wounded four times in battle. She spoke candidly about gender equality, prompting Eleanor Roosevelt to ask the Ukranian-born officer to accompany her on a tour of the United States to tell Americans of her experiences as a woman in combat. She readily accepted the first lady’s offer.
Eastern European philately offers a wide range of stamp issuances covering social causes, activists and everyday women performing heroic and extraordinary events, all magnificently presented.
With sincere thoughts of a Peaceful World,
The Bauer Family