The Andorra 2022 stamp program begins, like it did in 2021 with iconic Andorran landscape. But, looking back on last year’s stamps, the October release of Judit Gaset artwork was the best of the year. Designer Stéphanie Ghinéa worked with Gaset’s art to create a memorable issue.
Like French releases, Andorra’s sheets always have something worth examining. The details in the margins make them intriguing companions to the stamps. It’s often where the designer can include little extras to compliment the theme.
Paris based designer Stéphanie Ghinéa returns to pilot many this year’s stamps. Since her first one in 2001 (Gagarine et la pénicilline) for La Poste, she has designed @ 20 stamps, with 8 for Andorra alone. La Monde printed an interview with Ghinéa in 2020, where she discussed what makes a good stamp design.
By its format and function, a successful stamp must be legible, understandable and synthetic. It is the vehicle of a certain image of our culture by the theme addressed. It testifies to the time by the way the theme is evoked.
…
I like pictorial and graphic representations, such as the stamp of Olivier Debré (1920-1999), published in 1993, by its forms, the vibration of its intense colors, its language is for me a beautiful illustration; or the two stamps, Australian – by Gert Sellheim (1901-1970) – and Dutch – by Hil Bottema (1913-1968) – with their very simple visual vocabulary, symbolic (Aboriginal art) and narrative, close to fairytale illustration. They invite us to the imaginary and sensory journey.
If you are fascinated in how artists go about designing stamps, it’s a good read. Her views shed a bit of insight into her process.
One change this year will be more details. I didn’t give Andorra the attention it deserved last year and hope to make up for it with 2022.
Enjoy
Catpaw
January
Pic de Carroi
series: geography and tourism
1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset
Pic de Carroi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.265m (7,431ft) above the sea level, located on the La Massana and Andorra la Vella boundary, in Andorra. The road to the summit is brutal. The average gradient is 16.15%. The road to Pic de Carroi is not for the faint of heart (dangerousroads.org)
Designer: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Photographer: Emilio Prenas
Release date: January 4, 2022
February
Valery Giscard d’Estaing (1926-2020)
1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset
Designer: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Photographer © Arxiu Nacional d’Andorra / Fèlix Peig
Release date: February 3, 2022
March
Rosa Ferrer (1960-2018)
1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset
Maria Rosa Ferrer Obiols was an Andorran politician.
Maria Rosa Ferrer Obiols was an Andorran politician and lawyer who received various distinctions and honors… Graduated in law at the University of Barcelona [in] …1979. At the beginning of her legal career, she worked both in the public sector as a judicial officer of the Court of Corts and head of department at the General Secretariat of the Government, and in the private sector in two law firms in the Principality of Andorra.
From 1983, she began her political career, starting by participating in the parish renovation team; later, she became a member of Entente et Progrès, and later campaigned for New Democracy. Founder of the Social Democratic Party, Maria Ferrer … that led her to occupy on various [seats] in the Consell General (Parliament), to be secretary of Sindicatura (the rector body of Parliament) and representative of women parliamentarians in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) … [also] Chair of the Legislative Committee on External Affairs and coordinator of the campaign against domestic violence at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Her political career continued with the Coalition of Independents for Andorra la Vella (Cd’I), a party she founded and with which she reached the post of Cònsol Major of Andorra la Vella. Later, after relinquishing the post of Cònsol Major and holding the post of Minister of Institutional Relations, Social Affairs and Employment (April 2015), she submitted her … resignation. Since 2015 Maria Rosa Ferrer Obiols has been practicing as a lawyer for her own firm until her death in February 2018. Stamp Andorra – Rosa Ferrer | La Poste private shop
Illustration: Angel Calvente
Designer & selvedge creation: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: March 9, 2022
Universitat Praga – 30 years of Catalan
1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset
Illustrator: Enric Cardús
Designer & selvedge creation: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: March 9, 2022
May
EUROPA 2022 – Stories & Myths
1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset
Legend of Charlemagne
Charlemagne (742-814) was king of the Franks, the Lombards and emperor of the West, he laid the foundations of what will be the medieval European kingdoms Stamp Andorra – Europa – Llegenda Carlemany | La Poste private shop
Libraries are filled with texts and tales about Charlemagne. If you are unfamiliar with the history of Charlemagne, this site has a good page that isn’t overwhelming. Charlemagne – World History Encyclopedia.
The Legacy Of Charlemagne: Why Is He Considered The Father Of Europe? | History Extra offers a bit more substance to think about. Unfortunately it’s paywalled, but they offer a few free reads. It’s worth reading because it also includes a section on epic poems about Charlemagne. The site has a second page titled Who Was Charlemagne And Why Were English Writers Obsessed With Him? | History Extra which is a fascinating look at the creation of the myth of Charlemagne. Again, it’s paywalled, but it’s a deeper dive into how this historical figure was gradually transformed into a mythical one.
To break out of the paywall conundrum, try The Legend and Life of Charlemagne (timelessmyths.com). It’s a shorter look at mythologizing Charlemagne.
Literary fans should read The Song of Roland, written @ 1040-1115. It’s an epic poem. For reference see The “Song of Roland”: Frankish Knight and the Crusader Myth (thecollector.com).
Artist: Jordi Casamajor
Casamajor provided artwork for Andorra’s 2018 Dante stamp
Designer: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: May 14, 2022
Vaca Bruna
1 stamp, sheets of 15
offset
Vaca Bruna are a breed of brown cow raised in the Catalan and Andorran Pyrenees areas.
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Design: Jecomdisseny Agency
Release date: May 28, 2022
June
Volkswagen 1303 S
1 stamp, sheets of 15
intaglio
This particular model was used by Andorran Customs Corps between 1973 and 1992.
It was used to transport personnel to the two customs, that of the Runer River, border crossing with Spain, and that of Pas de la Casa, border crossing with the France. It was the ideal car to accomplish this task because the engine’s air cooling system prevented the machines from freezing and thus coped very well with the harsh weather conditions that were often encountered at Pas de la Casa Stamp Andorra – Volkswagen 1303 S | La Poste private shop
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Designer/engraver: Louis Genty
Release date: June 27, 2022
July
Estany Isla
1 stamp, sheets of 10
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Designer: Miquel Merce
Release date: July 9, 2022
Luna Park
1 stamp, sheets of 15
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Designer: Judit Gaset Flinch
Release date: July 23, 2022
August
Bruxia Joana Call
1 stamp, sheets of 9
From the Witch Hunts & Trials in Andora 1471-1473. Joana Call was held and tried for 6 brutal days. The writing in the margins of the stamp are extracts from the trial records held in the National Archives of Andorra.
From this trial remain some witness statements, the confession of the accused, the rejection of the defense, her will to keep, and the expenses incurred by the court on the day of her execution. From the perspective of an accusation, having a bad reputation was fundamental. For example, witnesses were systematically asked whether the accused had a reputation as a witch or a healer. At the time of answering some of them doubted. This story takes us back to a time when one lived and died according to one’s reputation, and that of one’s family circle, close or extended. In her confession, Joana admitted to having, with others, worshipped the Devil at the Boc de Biterna, abjured God, practiced cannibalism and made poisons. Having confessed and knowing she was lost, she claimed to deserve her sentence. She was tortured and quartered. Stamp Andorra – Bruxia Joana Call | La Poste private shop
Stamp creation / engraving Ève Luquet
Layout Stéphanie Ghinéa
Sheet margins: Ève Luquet layou
Release date: August 6, 2022
October
Rosa de Canòlic
1 stamp, sheet of 16
A perennial found only in the Pyranees. Trollius europaeus|globeflower/RHS Gardening
Designer: Fransisco Sanchez
Layout & sheet design: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: October 1, 2022
1972 Fire of the Sanctuary of Meritxell
1 stamp, sheets of 15
offset
Sanctuary of Meritxell (museus.ad)
The in the early morning of September 9, 1972, the Sanctuary caught fire. Most of the 12th c Romanesque building and its treasures were lost as a result. The Sanctuary was rebuilt, using the designs of renowned Spanish architect Ricard Bofill. Bofill’s website has photograph of the site as it looks today Meritxell Sanctuary – Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura. The site also includes an excellent explanation of the rebuild and how the design came about.
Designer: Neus Mola Obiols
Layout & sheet design: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: October 10, 2022
Nerea Aixas – tribute to volunteers
1 stamp, sheets of 9
offset
This stamp features Nerea Aixas’ sculpture titled “Tribute to Volunteers”. Aixas was the winner of a state sponsored competition to create a work of art to honour the volunteers who helped fight the Covid pandemic. It is permanently on display in the Central Park and is part of an initiative to erect a new piece of art every year to create an open air gallery.
7 entries were submitted.
1st: Nerea Aixas – El Voluntariat
2nd: Laia Maestre – Humanity
3rd: Emma Regada – Germinant
Nerea Aixàs inaugurates ‘Volunteering’ in Parc Central (donasecret.com)
Parc Central, an outdoor art gallery | BonDia Digital Journal of Andorra.
Designer: Nerea Aixàs
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: October 22, 2022
November
Christmas
1 stamp, sheets of 15
offset
The sheet will super size if you click on it. It’s worth the second look to see the sun and moon up close.
Angel Baldaqui de Sant Bartomeu
This piece, unique in the context of modern painting of the Catalan territories, shows a blessing of the Child Jesus in an archaic almond tree on a starry sky. Around him, four angels celebrate his glory by sounding two trumpets, and resounding a lute and a guitar. Following the Angel on the guitar illustrating the timbre of 2021, the Angel with the Trumpet, painted in the left part of the canopy, illustrates the timbre of 2022 In a naïve pictorial style, with a simplified anatomy and a saturated chromaticism, this work arouses a singular sympathy. Timbre Andorre – Angel, Baldaqui de Sant Bartomeu – La Poste
Designer: Àlex Tena
Artist: Mestre Çanou
Layout: Stéphanie Ghinéa
Release date: November 7, 2022
Louis Pasteur (1822 – 1895)
1 stamp, sheets of 15
intaglio
2022 was the 200th anniversary of Pasteur’s birth. His research into bacteria and viruses has saved untold number of lives. The Institut Pasteur has a good page on Pasteur, his life and work History of Louis Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur
Louis Pasteur, a chemist by training, will be at the origin of the most formidable scientific revolutions of the nineteenth century, in the fields of biology, agriculture, medicine or hygiene. By beginning his research on crystallography, Pasteur embarked on a path marked by discoveries that would lead him to the development of the rabies vaccine. Institut Pasteur
Designer/engraver: Elsa Catelin using ap. photo Index / Coll. Christophel
Layout & selvedge design: Stéphanie Ghinéa using ap photo Granger / Coll Christophel
Release date: November 7, 2022
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