This issue commemorates the death of poet and playwright Luís de Camões on 10 June 1580. The stamps have se-tenant labels with excerpts from The Lusiads (6$50 stamp) and from a sonnet (20$00 stamp). The verse on the stamp (translated by William Mickle as One hand the pen, and one the sword employ’d) is also from The Lusiads and summarizes Camões’ life as poet and soldier. The complete sonnet and Mickle’s adaptation of The Lusiads are online.

The stamps were designed by J. Pedro Roque with an engraving by J. Carvalho, lithographed and printed in recess (for the engraving) by the Mint on enamelled paper sheets of 5×5 stamps with perforation 12×11¾ and a phosphor band, and circulated from 9 June 1980 to 31 August 1989.

Stamp	Print run	Afinsa	Gibbons	Michel	Scott	Yvert
6.50	5,000,000	1470	1801	1494	1466
20.00	1,000,000	1471	1802	1495	1467

Related posts:

1. Camões in Mozambique: 400th Anniv.
2. Camões Day 2
3. Camões Day 1
4. João de Deus: 100th Death Anniv.
5. Damião de Góis: 400th Death Anniv.

This post is tagged poem, se-tenant.