Brazilian Philatelic

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Dia de São Gabriel 1970 stamp

Gabriel is the angel of the Annunciation, and this lovely stamp shows him coming to the Virgin Mary who is making bobbin lace. The feast day of Saint Gabriel is September 29th. As a communicator between Heaven and Earth, St. Gabriel is the patron saint of diplomats and messengers. It was a straightforward extension to assign him responsiblity for those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, remote sensing, and postal workers (this does not include the Internet, that honor went to St. Isidore of Seville). Gabriel has no specific connection with lacemakers.

The stamp artist is Cássio da Rocha Mattos, also known as Cássio M'Boy (1896-1986). The surname M'Boy is another name for the town of Embu in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. He moved there in 1920 and was a noted teacher of many fine Brazilian artits. M'Boy was a santeiro (scupltor of religious images), and gained great fame in Brazil as a painter and designer.

first posted 9/12/2010