POSTER STAMPS OF THE BUGRA

There are two primary poster stamps for the Bugra: Prometheus on a Gryphon (which was used also for the poster advertising the exhibition), and a simple, text-only hexagon. The Prometheus stamp occurs in four official versions, and, for one of those, 13 languages (including Esperanto, which was at the height of its popularity at that time).

PROMETHEUS RIDING A GRYPHON, DESCENDING FROM MOUNT OLYMPUS TO BRING FIRE TO MAN

VERSION 1: The most plentiful version of this very dramatic stamp is this one, which was issued in thirteen languages: German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Esperanto. All are relatively common today. The image depicts a naked youth riding a gryphon, and carrying a lighted torch in one hand, while he scatters either flames or flowers with the other. The paper is whitish, and the image has a grey background. The rider is probably meant to represent Prometheus. The designer was Walter Tiemann, type designer, typographer, painter, and teacher at the Leipzig Royal Academy.

I have been unable to find any explanation of why Tiemann chose this design, or what he meant it to symbolize, so can only guess. The gryphon occurs also on poster stamps of the Leipzig Royal Academy, so it may have been a symbol of that institution. Prometheus bearing light to mankind could be taken to symbolize the development of knowledge.

Scroll down for images of all thirteen languages, as well as a few unusual varieties.

Are there other languages?

VERSION 2: This is the Exhibitor version of the stamp, in German only. It is relatively common.

VERSION 3: The Prometheus image occurs also with a black border, but I have seen only four languages with this design: English, French, German, and Italian. The paper is yellowish, and there is no background. The image differs slightly from that on the first version, so it must have been printed from different plates. The lettering on the German and French versions differs from the first version significantly as well. These stamps are less common.

Does anyone out there know why this stamp was produced?

Scroll down for images of all four languages.

Are there other languages?

VERSION 4: Finally, in German only, there is this version. It is on yellowish paper with white coating, and unperforated. There is no background. The image has been re-engraved. There is the tiniest trace of a red border where it has been cut to size. It is gummed. I have seen only one example of this stamp. The red border suggests it was cut from some larger piece. Can anyone shed light on this mystery?

Why and by whom was this stamp produced?