On the occasion of the “Romanian postage stamp day”on July 15, 2019 Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the postage stamps issue with the theme “SEALS OF THE ROMANIAN RULERS”.
The four stamps illustrate images of the wax seals that belonged to the Rulers Alexander the Good (1400-1432), Stephen the Great (1457-1504), Vasile Lupu (1634-1653) and Petru Rares (1527-1538; 1541-1546).
The stamp that has the face value of Lei 3.10 reproduces the seal of Ruler Alexander the Good. He became the ruler of Moldavia with the strong support of Mircea the Elder. His reign was a peaceful one in an epoch when Moldavia had the largest area with stable borders and high economic prosperity.
He was a good organizer of the state and the institutions thereof mainly in the fields of administration, justice and military. He pursued a tolerant religious policy and was also the founder of Bistrita and Moldovita monasteries. Dimitrie Cantemir characterized him as follows: “Alexandru I, also known as the Good… is the one who apprised for the first time the name of the Moldavians that was little known of until then …”.
The seal of Ruler Stephen the Great is shown on the stamp having the face value of Lei 7. An exceptional ruler, he stood out as a politician and excellent diplomat, a great army commander, strategist, unifier, a supporter of culture, an important builder of monuments, the re-founder of Moldavia, a symbol of Romanians’ fight for independence and a defender of Christianity.
The seal of the Ruler Petru Rares is reproduced on the stamp having the face value of Lei 8.50. As the natural son of Stephen the Great, he was beautifully presented in the Chronicle of Moldavia written by Grigore Ureche: “He truly was the son of Stephen the Great, because he resembled his father so much, he went to wars and came out victorious, he did good things, he protected his country and estate as a good shepherd, and he was a just man. He was not only a pious man but also a courageous one and everybody understood that he was ready to rule the country”.
The stamp that has a face value of Lei 11.50 depicts Vasile Lupu’s seal. He is known for having built the exceptional Trei Ierarhi church from Iasi, which has become not only a religious settlement but also a famous cultural centre. The solidity of this edifice given by the minutely processed stone and marble, undoubtedly prove this prince’s ambition to remain in the memory of his successors.
Trei Ierarhi School just like the Sf. Sava School of Bucharest was a Royal Academy, namely the main educational centre of Moldavia.
Romfilatelia thanks the Romanian Academy Library for the documentary support granted in the achievement of this postage stamps issue.
The postage stamps issue is completed by 2 "first day" covers and as page composition in sheet of 14 stamps, minisheet of 5 stamps + 1 label and block of 4 imperforated stamps.
The philatelic album, created in a limited run printing of 287 pieces, brings together in the same topic, products belonging to philately and medalistics. Inside the album there are displayed two valuable collection pieces: the special block of four imperforated stamps, as well as the gold replica of the postage stamp with a face value of 54 parale, belonging to the first Romanian philatelic issue, the Bull Head issue”.
