1408) Institute of Speleology (Study of Caves)"Emil Racovita", Romania: A Century of Research (1920-2020): A set of four stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) featuring representative images of Caves of Romania, which are of great importance for Speleological Research & Activity: Date of Stamp set issue: 18.06.2020:
For celebrating a "Century of Research" an important milestone in the history of this famous Institute under the aegis of the Romanian Academy, Romfilatelia has released postage stamps into circulation on 18.06.2020 titled "Institute of Speleology, Emil Racovita - a Century of Research" (1920-2020).
The Institute of Speleology "Emil Racovita" - the first of its kind in the world - owes its existence to the genius of the great scientist Emil Racovita (1868-1947). He was a biologist, polar explorer and founder of biospeleology, the creation of this institute being based on a special law enacted on 26.04.1920 by King Ferdinand I.
In the early years, the institute functioned as a component part of the Faculty of Sciences within the University of Cluj, representing the official framework in which its founder also moved the headquarters of the "Biospeologica" Scientific Society, which he had founded in 1907, as an international tool to coordinate the activity of all zoologists interested in the study of underground fauna.
Along with Emil Racovita, two eminent biologists carried out their activity in the institute in Cluj - the French Rene Jaennel, entomologist and bio-geographer and the Swiss Pierre-Alfred Chappuis, who was a specialist in underground aquatic fauna.
In 1940, following the Vienna Dictate, Racovita was forced to take refuge in Timisoara, taking with him the archives of the institute, the "Biospeological" collection remaining in Cluj, guarded by PA Chappuis.
In 1945, Racovita returned to Cluj, suffering along with his institute all the deprivations of poverty and post-war inflation.
In 1947, after Racovita passed away, the institute slowly declined, particularly after Chappuis left Romania in 1949.
In 1956, at the initiatives of Professors Traian Orghidan, Margareta Dumitrescu and Valeriu Puscariu, the institute was reorganised under the leadership of Professor Constantin Motas (1891-1980), in its new structure having its headquarters in Bucharest and a section in Cluj.
In 1957, the Institute of Speleology received the name of its founder - Emil Racovita.
In 1960, it passed under the aegis of the Romanian Academy.
The Commemorative Stamp issue:
The set of four stamps in the denominations of Lei 3.30, Lei 5.0, Lei 8.50 and Lei 12.0 which have been released in the set.
The Sheetlets of four stamps each and a coupon/label issued for each stamp in the set.
Four stamps have been issued in this stamp set depicting representative images of the Caves of Romania, which are of great importance/significance for speleological research activity.
The illustration of the Postage Stamps is made in an attractive graphic for collectors, with elements reproduced with a special colour - UV yellow.
On the postage stamp of Lei 3.30, a parietal painting from Coliboaia (Bihor County) is shown, in which can be seen a Wooly Rhiniceros - Coelodonta antiquitatis (Blumenbach, 1799) and the painting is approximately 33,000 years old and is one of the oldest rupestrian representations in Europe.
Stalactites and organ-like columns adorn the entrance to Paradisului (Paradise) Gallery in Piatra Altarului (Altar Stone) Cave, Bihor Mountains, Cluj County. The cavity hosts crystal and calcite that can reach perfection, comparable to the most famous in Europe.
The calcite organ , located in Paradisului Gallery from Piatra Altarului Cave is reproduced on the Stamp with the face value of Lei 5.0.
The third postage stamp of the issue, with the value of Lei 8.50, shows a cave bear skulls found in the Rece (Cold) Cave, the bear being the representative mammal of the last Ice Age in the Carpathians. The Rece Cave is located on the left slope of Cutilor Gorges, from Rosia Township, Bihor County.
The fourth Stamp of the Series, with a face value of Lei 12, stands out the largest gours, orringstones (large-sized calcite basins) in Romania, located in the Mendip Hall from Sura Mare Cave, Sureanu Mountains, Hunedoara County. Gours are formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate dissolved in water that drips on a sloping wall.
On the First Day Cover (FDC) huge stalagmites are illustrated, located in the Mammoth's Hall, the Cave from the Darninii Wall, Bihor Mountains, Alba County. The mammoths are massive domes and stalagmites made of calcite and mondmilch, among the largest of this kind in Romania.
Technical Details:
Stamp set issue date: 18.06.2020
Designer: George Ursachi
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Stamp Sizes: 33.0 mm x 48.0 mm, 48.0 mm x 33.0 mm
Stamp Values: 3.0L, 5.0L, 8.5L, 12.0L
In 1947, after Racovita passed away, the institute slowly declined, particularly after Chappuis left Romania in 1949.
In 1956, at the initiatives of Professors Traian Orghidan, Margareta Dumitrescu and Valeriu Puscariu, the institute was reorganised under the leadership of Professor Constantin Motas (1891-1980), in its new structure having its headquarters in Bucharest and a section in Cluj.
In 1957, the Institute of Speleology received the name of its founder - Emil Racovita.
In 1960, it passed under the aegis of the Romanian Academy.
The Commemorative Stamp issue:
Four stamps have been issued in this stamp set depicting representative images of the Caves of Romania, which are of great importance/significance for speleological research activity.
The illustration of the Postage Stamps is made in an attractive graphic for collectors, with elements reproduced with a special colour - UV yellow.
The calcite organ , located in Paradisului Gallery from Piatra Altarului Cave is reproduced on the Stamp with the face value of Lei 5.0.
Technical Details:
Stamp set issue date: 18.06.2020
Designer: George Ursachi
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Stamp Sizes: 33.0 mm x 48.0 mm, 48.0 mm x 33.0 mm
Stamp Values: 3.0L, 5.0L, 8.5L, 12.0L
Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:
16) Aeromfila 2020, Romania: Centenary of the Franco-Romanian Air Navigation Company (CFRNA) celebrated with a set of 3 Stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post): Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.04.2020
17) Institute of Speleology (Study of Caves) "Emil Racovita", Romania: A Century of Research (1920-2020): A set of four stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) featuring representative images of Caves of Romania which are of great importance for Speleological Research & Activity: Date of Stamp set issue: 18.06.2020
17) Institute of Speleology (Study of Caves) "Emil Racovita", Romania: A Century of Research (1920-2020): A set of four stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) featuring representative images of Caves of Romania which are of great importance for Speleological Research & Activity: Date of Stamp set issue: 18.06.2020
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative post."
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRam Lalingkar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wow, this is the first time came to know that there is a Institute of Speleology ! Interesting !!"
It is a very interesting subject, Rambhau. When I saw the stamp images first, I thought that these were paintings. Now I have added to my knowledge.
DeleteRsanker Sharma has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative post."
Thank you Sharma sahab.
DeleteVinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"A good information."
Thank you, Vinodji.
DeleteMita Banerjee has commented:
ReplyDelete"You keep enlarging our horizons...thank you."
Thank you so much for visiting the post, Mitaji.
DeleteShekhar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great."
Thank you, Shekhar.
DeleteVimal Dikshit has commented:
ReplyDelete"गजब का शौक
गजब की शोध"
Thank you so much, Vimal for your constant encouragement.
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