Description: This intact vertical philatelic pair from the Swedish postal service showcases classic child literary artwork rendered in detailed intaglio linework. The top stamp presents an illustration from Elsa Beskow’s book "Pelles nya kläder," highlighting a young boy holding a lamb in his arms amid a field of simplified line-drawn flowers. The text "SVERIGE 35" runs vertically along its left orange-shaded edge, while the title sits at the bottom rim. The bottom stamp portrays John Bauer's illustration for Selma Lagerlöf's novel "Nils Holgersson," portraying a young boy standing by a pond beside several large ducks and a thatched-roof cottage in the background. The vertical identifier and face value on the lower piece sit framed inside a column on the right edge, matching the shared layout format of the commemorative series.
Circa: 1969
Condition: MNH vertical pair - separated from booklet
Notes:
Both of these pieces were hand-engraved by Czesław Slania, who remains celebrated as one of the most prolific and technically accomplished stamp engravers in history. The lower design capturing Nils Holgersson holds unique literary significance, as it represents the only illustration by artist John Bauer that author Selma Lagerlöf approved for her book.