On January 1, 1942 Serbia issued four stamps to commemorate the Grand Anti-Masonic Exhibition, which opened in Belgrade on October 22, 1941. These stamps depict a strong and victorious Serbia crushing an evil Masonic-Communist-Jewish plot for world domination.
The surtax on this issue was used for Anti-Masonic, Anti-Communist,
and Anti-Jewish propaganda.
Each stamp bore the opening date 22x1941 and was labeled "Anti-Masonic Exhibition" and "Serbia" in Cyrillic letters.
These stamps, with their juxtaposition of Masonic, Communist, Jewish and Serbian symbols (Nazi symbols are notably absent), provide a remarkable window into the Serbian wartime worldview. Even after the Communist takeover of Yugoslavia in May 1945 Masons were regarded with suspicion and contempt by the Serbian dominated Yugoslav authorities and Masonry remained outlawed for the next 45 years - until the summer of 1990.
The first stamp shows Masonry, allegorically clad as a hooded figure wearing an apron and star of David upon its bosom. This hooded figure is shown cringing from a strong ray of light, which emanates from a circular cabalistic design apparently representing the forces of Anti-Masonry.
Nowhere in Masonry does a hooded figure appear. Also any Mason could readily see the fallacy of "Cringing from Light" - did we not ask for light at least three times? Then too, the attempt to link Jewry with Freemasonry is very evident by the Star of David on the figure's bosom.
The second stamp of the series shows a hand emanating from a silvery light, as in the first stamp, and grasping the neck of a huge viper whose head rests on a square and compasses. This viper or snake is covered with the Stars of David rather than scales. Biblically, the snake represents the forces of evil (Jews and Masons) and here is symbolically being stopped by the hand of Nazism.
The third stamp shows a sheaf of wheat superimposed on a cross, which has a pointed lower leg, together with the hammer, and sickle all resting upon and splitting a star that symbolizes Serbia. This attempts to show that the Jew, Mason, and Communist are alike in ideal if not one and the same.
The last stamp of the series shows a Star of David upon the curved surface of the earth between two pillars which are being put asunder by a zealous modern Serbian Samson. These pillars presumably refer to the two pillars in the porch of King Solomon's Temple.
Our many thanks to Brother Terry Chateau for his extensive description and this photo. If you're interested in Masonic stamps, drop him or us a note! We've been active and involved collectors for some time....
| Incidentally, if you are interested in philately and Masonry, there are
several groups of Masonic stamp collectors. The American Topical Association has had a
Masonic Study Unit for some thirty years (your web site author is member #10) and Masonic
stamp displays have won many show awards over the years. Stamp collecting remains an
exciting and interesting hobby and one which teaches much - as can be seen from the stamps
above!
Interested? Here's some further information: The Philatelic Freemason is published bi-monthly by the Masonic Study Unit of the American Topical Association. Contact Robert A. Domingue, 59 Greenwood Road, Andover, MA 01810 for further information. Dues are $10.00 annually (US). This newsletter always presents excellent information. The Masonic Philatelist is published quarterly by the Masonic Stamp Club of New York, founded in 1934. In addition, the club has regular meetings at 2:00pm the second Wednesday of each month (except summer) at The Collectors Club, 22 East 35th Street, New York, NY 10016. Further information about membership is available from the Secretary, MSCNY at that address. Dr. Allen Boudreau edits and publishes a small glossy magazine which is well respected in the philatelic community. |
|
Related Topics: |
|
In addition, |
Just
click on "Prince, the Search Dog" to find things on our site. He's on every page
and he'll take you directly to our search form where you can see if we've
written about whatever it is you're interested in. Prince has a great memory; he
always remembers where things are!