Stamps
The Möbius strip can also be seen on a variety of stamps, notably from Brazil (1967 and 1973), Netherlands (1969), and Switzerland (1974). A third stamp from Brazil is sometimes said to be of a Möbius strip but is not, but given its widescale appearance as purported I have decided to include it here for the sake of thoroughness. In general, mathematics has been featured throughout the years on stamps (as notably documented by Robin Wilson and William Schaaf) albeit rarely featuring the Möbius strip. Indeed, there are only three countries, with the last instance 50 years ago! Note here that I discuss only 'official' stamps here, issued by countries, and not those that are self-published.
Again, as with most of the distinct studies here, this being the first such compilation, it is very much of a 'first look'. For example, Otto Treumann (1969 stamp) and Gian Calvi (1973 stamp) were new names to me, and so extensive studies had to be made on them to get me up to speed on their contributions.
1967
Postage stamp commemorating the 6th Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium, held at the Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA), in 2 July - 22 July 1967 at Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais.
Beyond knowing the occasion for its instigation, nothing else is known of the background here! Was a competition held? Who was the artist? Can anyone add more to this entry?
The Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium has been held by IMPA on odd-numbered years since 1957. Interestingly, the (same) Möbius strip still features on their website and it is also on the facade of the headquarters building.
1969
Postage stamp commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Signing of the Customs Union
The first of three stamps shows the Möbius strip in Benelux colours, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Fig. 2). The colouring scheme is an amalgam of the flags of the member states (Fig. 3).
Placeholder
Each of the folded 'sides' represents one of the countries. The series was designed by Otto Treumann (1919-2001) who was a major pioneer in the modernization of graphic design in the Netherlands. Treumann has been described as '...certainly one of the greatest designers from last century and has designed some of the most iconic images in the Netherlands from the last 50 years…'. He also designed the 1961 De Bijenkorf (beehive) logo. This stamp design was not his only one; he also designed 20 other postage stamps for the Netherlands postal service (shown at The Last Dodo), although this is the only overt mathematically themed one.
The only known picture of Treumann in association with the Möbius strip. His mathematical interest remains unknown.
1973
Postage stamp commemorating the 9th Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium, held at IMPA in 1973
The stamp text gives: impa. Correio Brasil 73. Impa, Instit de Matemática Pura e Aplicada/C. N. Pq. Casa Da Moeda Do Brasil. Gian Calvi. Correio Brasil 73 = Brazil Post 73. Impa is as discussed above; see 1969. 'Casa da Moeda do Brasil' are the printers.
Upon research, Calvi was the designer Gianvittore Calvi (1938-2016), or simply Gian Calvi, who was a famous Italian illustrator living in Brazil since 1949. He was renowned as an illustrator of children's books. He was a prolific designer of stamps, with 18 in total, and possibly more. There is nothing mathematical in these others, though. Interestingly, he also designed the 'non-Möbius' Correio Casa Da Moeda Do Brasil stamps of 1974.
Four bands are shown in a broad same orientation, three in colour and one as a line drawing. Nothing is known of the background here. Curiously, the same portrayal of the Mobus strip as is on the 1967 6th Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium, above. Speculating, possibly Calvi 'updated' the original design, with additional strips. There are no known pictures of Calvi in association with the stamp.
1974
Europa postage stamp on the theme of sculpture.
The stamp text gives Helvetia. Europa. Max Bill. 1974. Courvoisier S A
Helvetia is the Latin word for Switzerland. Max Bill (1908–1994) was a Swiss architect, artist, painter, typeface designer, industrial designer and graphic designer. Bill is widely considered the single most decisive influence on Swiss graphic design beginning in the 1950s with his theoretical writing and progressive work. His interest in the Möbius strip dates back to 1935. Bill was a pioneer in sculpting Möbius strips, which he claimed was an independent invention. Starting in the 1930s, he created a variety of 'endless ribbons' out of paper, metal, granite, and other materials, culminating with the bronze sculpture 'Eindeloze Kronkel' (Endless Loop), 1953. There is no known picture of Bill in association with the stamp.
Courvoisier S A, a Swiss company, were the stamp printers.
1974 Brazil
Printer = 'Casa da Moeda do Brasil' are the printers. It is available in four denominations; 1.00, 2.00, 4,00, 5.00.
Designed by Gian Calvi, see above (1973). Sometimes said to portray a Möbius strip, but this is not so, according to Pickover and MacTutor. Pickover states that it is two-sided. I will defer to them.
Issued by Brazil in 1974.
References
Pickover, Cliff. The Möbius Strip: Dr. August Möbius's marvelous band in mathematics, games, literature, art, technology, and cosmology. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press, 2006, pp. 156–157
A brief overview, pp. 156-157, of all the known Möbius-themed stamps as here. In particular, Pickover notes the non-Möbius stamp. Who was the first to notice this? He also gives the background to the Swiss stamp instigation.
Created 30 April 2024. Last Updated 30 April 2024