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DANZIG REPORT
G.P.S. STUDY GROUP

Editor: John H. Bloecher Jr., 1743 Little Creek Drive, Baltimore, Md. 21207

No. 71
April .May.June 1991

The Age of Hevelius

We are all familiar with the name Hevelius, having seen his portrait on two distinct Ganzsachen cards: Michel P47, issued on 3 August 1934 commemorating the 40th German Philatelic Day, and P48/02, issued on 15 November 1934, along with the Chodoeicki and Schopenhauer cards to complete the set. After Copernicus, Hevelius was Poland’s most famous astronomer. His life story is included in this Report, translated from Polish by our Wiadyslaw Dziemianczuk. You will encounter the astronomer’s name spelled in varous ways: in Latin —Johannes Hevelius; in German —Johann Hewel (or Howeicke) and in Polish —Jan Heweliusz. Notice that his caption on the card includes Ratsherr, as well as Astronom. Hevelius was a distinguished member of the City Council, meeting at the old city hail, at the Raduna Canal and one block west of the Great Mill. On the wall of the Main Hall is a plaque commemorating his participation in affairs of the city.

 

Danzig Report Vol. 1 - Nr. 71 - April - May - June - 1989, Page 1.