2h ago
Key Fact
Description
A vintage 4p stamp from the United Kingdom's Royal Mail, issued in 1974 as part of the 'Great Masters' series. The stamp features Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's iconic painting 'Madonna and Child,' rendered in vibrant colors of green, red, and yellow. The design highlights the artistic interpretation of the religious theme, with the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. This stamp, printed using offset lithography, showcases the fine detail of the original artwork.
History
This stamp honors the prolific Spanish Baroque painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, renowned for his religious and genre scenes. His 'Madonna and Child' works are celebrated for their tenderness and idealized portrayals. The 'Great Masters' series aimed to bring renowned art to the public through postal issues, making masterpieces accessible. The stamp's creation involved engraving by Harrison, a notable security printer, ensuring quality and detail in the reproduction of Murillo's art.
Facts
The original painting depicted on this stamp is part of Murillo's extensive body of work focusing on the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Mary. Such stamps often become collectors' items, particularly those featuring well-known artworks or issued during specific commemorative periods. The detail in the stamp, despite its small size, reflects the engraving skill of Harrison, who was a prominent figure in stamp printing.
Value Fact
Stamps from the 'Great Masters' series, especially those in good condition, are sought after by philatelists interested in art and religious themes. The 4p denomination, while common, contributes to the stamp's appeal as part of a broader thematic collection. Market value can fluctuate based on condition, rarity, and collector demand. Comparable stamps from this series often range from a few pence to several pounds, depending on specific issues and market trends.

In the galleries
Item Details
Official Details
Variation Details
Cho Bear Deuce Details
Collectibles.com is operated by Collectbase Inc., a Delaware corporation. Collectible valuations, price estimates, and AI-assisted identifications are provided for informational and reference purposes only and do not constitute professional appraisals, financial advice, or guarantees of market value. Trademarks, card images, and intellectual property belonging to third-party rights holders are displayed solely for identification, valuation reference, and collection management purposes; Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any such rights holders. User-generated content reflects the views of individual community members and not those of Collectbase Inc. This platform may earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases made through third-party links. The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, and Collectbase Inc. shall not be liable for any damages arising from use of this platform or reliance on its content. For full details governing your use of this platform and our privacy practices, see our Terms of Service and PrivacyPolicy.
© 2026 Collectbase Inc. All rights reserved.
This site and associated apps contain copyrighted material including card images, trademarks, and text belonging to The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo, GAME FREAK inc., Wizards of the Coast, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, NHL Enterprises, L.P., Topps, Panini America, Inc., Upper Deck, and all other respective rights holders. Such material is displayed solely for the purposes of identification, pricing reference, collection management, and to facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of physical collectibles by collectors. Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the foregoing entities, and no challenge to their intellectual property rights or ownership is intended or implied.