File:Stamp 1989 GDR MiNr3285 pm B002.jpg

Stamp of the German Democratic Republic; 1989; commemorative stamp of the issue "Historical Monuments – Rolands (II)"; issue of 4 stamps; The depicted stamp is GDR Michel No. 3285 from 1989 and shows a "Roland statue" from Zerbst 1445 (Zerbst in the district of Bitterfeld, country of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany).; A German "Roland Statue" goes back to "Roland, the Count of the Breton Mark" (= border land) and as such a paladin of "Charles the Great" (= "Carolus Magnus"), A "Roland" is described in early mediaval times by the "Song of Roland" (German: "Rolandslied", original name of Roland: "Hroutland").; A such column is showing an allegorical figure of a knight with sword stylized to a column, often depicted with grotesk facial features, symbolizing the representance for the "rights of a town" of a location.; A such "Roland statue" was a copy of the old-Germanian "Ziu-columns" from "pagan times" before which was spoken law.; This stamp was postmarked with an one-circle first-day special cancellation with 35.0 mm diameter from 1085 Berlin, 7 November 1989 showing a side view of the "Roland" of Haldensleben (equestrian statue with supporting pillar) over an inscription in Gothic letters as central motive over an inscription in Gothic letters.over an inscription in Gothic letters as central motive.
Stamp: Michel: No. 3285; Yvert & Tellier: No. 2889; Scott: No. 2782; AFA: No. 2944
Color: multicolored (with dark brown frame, brown colors dominating)
Watermark: none
Nominal value: 5 (Pfennig)

Stamp size (printed area of a single stamp without frame with year line): 21.5 x 39.0 mm