The Nobel Stamps of 1977

Design: Lennart Forsberg Engraver: Arne Wallhorn Printing process: Recess Printed at: The Post Office Stamp Printing Works

 

The stamps portray the Nobel Laureates of 1917:

CHARLES GLOVER BARKLA (1877–1944) was born near Liverpool, and he was educated at Liverpool University. After some years of research at Cambridge, Barkla returned to Liverpool in 1902 and devoted himself to the study of röntgen radiation. Barkla was a pioneer in the study of the character of X-rays. He showed that every element radiates a characteristic form of X-rays specific for the element. Barkla also confirmed that this radiation has a definite permeability, specific for each element. Barkla won the 1917 Nobel Prize in Physics.

The Dane KARL ADOLPH GJELLERUP (1857–1919) first studied theology and even took a degree, but he was later to maintain a negative attitude towards Christianity. His first published short story was "An Idealist" (1878). Then followed ardently radical poetry, e.g. "Haw-thorn" and also "Spirits and Times." In later life Gjellerup became fascinated by Buddhism, its teachings of Wisdom and achievements of Nirvana.

HENRIK PONTOPPIDAN (1857–1943), also a Dane, began by studying engineering but never took a degree. Pontoppidan is Denmark's great epic writer. He has no equal in Scandinavia as a describer of people and contemporary spiritual history. His main works are the triology "The promised land" and "Happy Peter." Gjellerup and Pontoppidan won the 1917 Nobel Prize in Literature.

 

© 1977 SWEDEN POST STAMPS