I recently stumbled across this set of Child Welfare stamps from 1931, immediately recognising them as the work of Piet Zwart. I was wrong, they're actually by his mate, the lesser known Gerard Kiljan but date from around the period Zwart did loads of work for the Dutch Post Office so the mistake was fair enough I think. And they're certainly Zwart-ish. Along with their other mate, Paul Schuitema, the three constitute a kind of New Typography super-group.
wow these are quite fascinating. I miss when they put classic art on stamps. Sometimes they will still do that today, but its usually a flower or something.
Posted by: Nikki | 12 December 2008 at 07:15 PM
Dear blogger,
Actually there happens to be a poster of this series with pictures of a blind, deaf, syndrom of down child as well. ('Misdeeld' means 'destitute') These were revolutionary since it was the first time these children were objectively photographed and stated on a stamp/poster. Organisation for children rights did not want these stamps since then it was common to put away these children in 'special' homes and not to see them. Also there were questions in the 2nd Chamber (government) if these stamps/poster could be printed.
Maybe you like to know this, regards
René
Posted by: René Huitema | 08 May 2011 at 08:54 PM