Petar II Petrović Njegoš (November 1, 1813 – October 19, 1851) was an Orthodox Montenegrin and Hill bishop and head of Old Montenegro and Hill from 1830 to 1851. He is one of the greatest poets and philosophers of this area.

Njegoš was a charismatic and striking historical figure, but at the same time he was also a deeply enlightened and thought-provoking figure, which is evidenced primarily by his literary work. Respected as a ruler, he is best remembered as the author of the epic poem “Mountain Wreath”, which is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of European and world literature.

He was born in the village of Njeguši, near Cetinje, and after the death of his uncle Peter I, he became the spiritual and secular leader of Montenegro.

He worked on uniting the Montenegrin tribes and establishing a centralized state. He introduced regular taxes, and his reign was marked by efforts to expand the territory of Montenegro.

He collected folk songs which he published in the collection “Mirror Serbian”. A considerable number of his shorter poems, odes and epistles were published in the periodicals of that time. Although he had no formal schooling, through reading and reflection, Njegoš developed more and more spiritually and shaped his artistic expression more and more deeply and completely, so in the last seven years of his life he created three most important works: “Luča mikrokosma”, “Mountain Wreath” and “False Tsar Šćepan Mali”. His works have been translated into several languages, including Japanese.

Petar II Petrović Njegoš died in 1851. He was buried in Lovcen at the place where the Mausoleum designed by Ivan Meštrović is located today.

Motive on the stamp: Portrait of Njegoš, Petar Lubarda, 1940s, dimensions 96 x 80 cm, oil on canvas, private collection

Motif on the vignettes and on the envelope: Njegoš mausoleum in Lovcen, made according to the design of Ivan Meštrović, Miroslav Nikolić

Professional cooperation: Association of Writers of Serbia

Graphic realization of the publication: Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic designer

Catalog information:

27. January 2023
Graphics by Nadežda Skočajić
Multicolor offset “Forum” N.Sad; z.h. 13 3/4
1214. 45.00 din (multicolor) 25,000
Tobacco: 8
On an envelope stamped PD (FDC)
Draft: 1214. Portrait of Njegoš – Petar Lubarda, forties of the 20th century, dimensions 96 x 80 cm, oil on canvas, private collection.
Stamp size: 35 x 46.4 mm
Valid indefinitely.

Source: POST OF SERBIA – Commemorative editions, 2023.