Used with
permission of Maiken Naylor, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA,
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/sel/exhibits/stamps
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish astronomer, proposed
a heliocentric theory of the universe in which the planets orbited
the sun, rather than the earth. It marked the end of the world
with man and the earth at its
center. Ironically, Copernicus
appears here on a Vatican stamp for a theory that flew in the
face of established religion in his time. Although known portraits
of Copernicus are full face, one modern artist's conception shows
a thoughtful man in profile. The French stamp shows a picture
of the universe as Copernicus envisioned it -- the six known
planets circling the sun. Silhouettes of the Polish churches
from whose towers Copernicus made his observations are in the
foreground. The souvenir sheet on the left shows the Copernican
world view from a beautiful celestial atlas made by Andreas
Cellarius,
Harmonia Macrocosmica, 1661, This planisphere shows the
solar system updated from Copernicus' time; the four moons of
Jupiter are clearly visible. Venus appears to be obscured by
the vertical stamp perforations; on other editions of this work
the planets are shown in somewhat shifted positions. This universe
is flanked by two figures: at right Copernicus himself, and at
left Aristarchus of Samos, the earlier proponent of the heliocentric
theory, lending weight to Copernicus' theory.
