There are numerous stamps and other philatelic documents from countries all around the world in honour of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Germany is one of the most prolific.

Stamps of Beethoven exist, made in France, Monaco, Austria, in African countries and in Sounth America... It is interesting to note that the anglo-saxon countries such as the USA, Canada and Great Britain have never commemorated the composer with a stamp.

And here are already 150 of them, shown with their date of issue and their catalogue number (often Michel, sometimes Scott or Yvert and Tellier)... They are organised by country and by continent.

If you have scans of stamps which I don't have you can forward them to me. Thank you, in advance.

Here is the only stamp made by La Poste (the French postal service) depicting the composer. It was issued on April 27th 1963.

This stamp is the first in a series of 5 great men of the CEE: Ludwig van Beethoven (0,20 F), Émile Verhaeren (0,20 F), Giuseppe Mazzini (0,20 F), Émile Mayrisch (0,20 F) and Hugo de Groot (0,30 F).

Note that, after one catalogue of stamps, there is another version called "mèches blanches". It is probable that all of his hair is white (or none)... Another depicts the house in grey rather than cepia. But I've never seen these...have you?

This Beethoven stamp carries the number 1382 in the catalogue Yvert et Tellier, the number 1432 in the catalogue Michel, and the number 1059 in that of Scott.

Here is a translation of the text which is found on the reverse:

"THE GREAT EUROPEANS
Beethoven (Germany) 1770-1827. A genius composer who's works are found at the summet of classical music. The last years of his life were tarnished by progressive deafness, which isolated him from the world. His birth house. View of the Rhine and the seven mountains."

2- Here is the text which figures on the back of this maxicarte:

3- The maxicarte opposite was cancelled at Strasbourg on September 14th 1963, and carries the inscription, "Council of Europe - the Rights of Man".

The same maxicarte existes with the stamp issued by Czechoslovakia in 1970.

Other Maxicards:

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1- Here is the first day envelope with the stamp. There is no text on the reverse.

The words on the franking read: "Five great men of the countries of the CEE - 27 April 1963 - Paris".

Each stamp in the series is presented on an envelope picturing the flag of the country of origin of the personality, and a monument.

2- Text on the reverse of the envelope:

"BEETHOVEN LUDWIG VAN

Other FDC:

Superb philatelic document entitled "The glories of the European Community".

This magnificent portrait of Pierre Gandon, which serves to illustrate the Beethoven stamp issued by Monaco in1970, decorates the document. The French stamp is cancelled on the 17th November 1963, and the stamp carries the inscription: Commission of the colours of Europe - Colmar."

Size of document: 16 cm x 24,5 cm

Sheet of six cinderellas published by Cartes d'Art (Paris - France).

Each stamp represents the head of a composer, his signature and the score of one of his famous works. They were realized by Michel Tanelian.

On Beethoven stamp, one can see the first measures of the Ode to Joy...

Sheet of 12 cinderellas. Record labels with famous works by reknown composers: Brahms, Smetana, Mozart, Grieg, Beethoven, Strauss, Chopin and Bach. Their face value is 8,50 NF.