United Nations definitive stamp celebrates Marie Curie

By David Hartwig

The United Nations Postal Administration will honor physicist and chemist Marie Curie (1867-1934) on a definitive stamp to be issued Nov. 7.

Through her pioneering research in radioactivity, Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win the prize twice, and the only person to win prizes in two scientific fields — physics and chemistry.

The 2.50-franc Marie Curie stamp is for use from the post office at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Designed by Rorie Katz of the United Nations, the stamp features a portrait of Curie and a quote in French to the right of the portrait. The English translation is “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”

The UNPA discussed Curie’s legacy in the latest issue (No. 142) of Fascination, its bulletin for collectors.

“Marie Curie’s research laid the foundation for modern nuclear science, from X-rays to radiotherapy for treating cancer,” the UNPA said. “She stood out not only for her brilliant talent and dedication, but also for inspiring women and girls in science.”

The stamp’s Nov. 7 issue date coincides with Curie’s birth anniversary. The youngest of five children in a poor family, Curie left Poland for Paris in 1891 to study physics and mathematics at the Sorbonne.

In Paris, she met fellow scientist Pierre Curie, and the two were married in 1895. In 1903, Marie and Pierre, along with Henri Becquerel, were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on radioactivity.

In 1906, Pierre died tragically in a street accident. That same year, Marie accepted a position at the Sorbonne. She continued her scientific research and was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1911 for the discovery of radium and polonium.

Curie died July 4, 1934, from conditions believed to be caused by her long-term exposure to radiation.

According to the Royal Philatelic Society London, Curie has appeared on more than 100 stamps and souvenir sheets from around the world.

Prolific stamp engraver Martin Mörck, the artist behind the UNPA Marie Curie definitive, also engraved one design for two Jan. 27, 2011, French stamps (Scott 3946-3947) depicting the scientist.

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