Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel: Centenary of Death Scott 729-730 (1984) On February 28, 1984, the Vatican issued a two-stamp set to commemorate the centenary of the death of noted biologist Gregor Johann Mendel. Mendel is often referred to as the Father of Modern Genetics. Gregor Mendel was born at Heinzendorf in Silesia (in what is now the Czech Republic) in 1822. He was educated at the University of Vienna. In 1843, he entered the Augustinian monastery at Brno, and he became the abbot of the monastery in 1860. His experiments on the hybridization of peas led him to formulate the fundamental laws on the transmission of hereditary characteristics. These laws constitute the basis of the modern science of genetics. The set consists of two values: 450 and 1500 lire. Both stamps share a common horizontal design. At the right is a portrait of Gregor J. Mendel. To the left are illustrations of his experiments on the descent of hybrids in garden peas. The design was engraved by Mario Codoni. The inscription GREGOR J. MENDEL 1884 1984 may be found at the top center. Along the bottom is the denomination and the words POSTE VATICANE. The stamps measure 40x30 mm and have a perforation of 13 ¼ x 14. They were printed in multicolor photogravure and recess on white chalky paper, and were issued in sheets of 40, with 950,000 complete series printed by the Italian State Polygraphic Institute and Mint. This article originally appeared on Vatican Notes in 1984. It has been edited and updated. The original article can be accessed by clicking on the link in the References. REFERENCES Anonymous, Vatican Notes, Volume 32, Number 6, page 1, 1984, Centenary of Death of Gregor J. Mendel UFN, February 28, 1984, Centenary of the Death of the Biologist Abbot Gregor J. Mendel, O.S.A. Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search