MYSTERIES

Well, maybe "mysteries" is too strong, but I wanted to get your attention. This page is simply devoted to the unresolved questions that have come up as I have accumulated the material and information shown in this web site. If you can provide any answers, please email the author at

First, does anyone know why Tiemann chose the design he did for the poster? What is the significance of the gryphon, and its rider? I have made my own guesses, discussed elsewhere in these pages, I'd just like to know what he said, if that is recorded anywhere.

Second, what's the story with the umbrella stamp? Again, I've made a guess, but I'd like to know who created it, and why.

Third - the Bliemchen stamp and card. I've made an educated guess about who he was and how he came to use that name and all, but I'd like to know the facts.

Fourth, what's the story with the Prometheus stamps with the black border? When and why and by whom was it produced, and why in just the four languages?

Fifth, are there other language versions of any of the stamps shown on this site? I've found thirteen languages of the main stamp, four of the version with black border, six of the stamp from the Typographer's Institute, and four of the small square stamp from the Austrian pavilion. Did I miss any?

Sixth, what's the story with the unperforated version of the main stamp? Who produced it, and when, and why?

Seventh, are there other language versions of the first few postcards? The French and Russian versions I have seen suggest there must be in addition cards in at least English and French, but do they exist? Or are the ones I found just anomalies?

Any information or images you can contribute to resolve these questions or to enhance this site will be welcome.