Stamp Art: Alfred Cossmann

[Austria] (b 1870/d 1951)

The revival of copper engraving in Austria in its noblest form is basically connected with the name of Alfred Cossmann. He descended from a highly educated family the ancestors of which worked as artists or writers. While his father was devoted to literature, Alfred developed an exceptional talent for drawing.

The favorable judgment of his cousin, a well known wood engraver, confirmed his decision to take the boy off high school, and he changed for Arts and Crafts High School. So, in 1885 he moved to Vienna. After 14 years of continuous and conscientious studies he left the academy at the age of thirty. Now he was able to tread his path as a copper engraver, quietly, self – controlled, committed to the clear line.

In 1905 he became a member of the "Künstlerhaus" but the Austrian Exlibris Society which was founded in 1903 was of still bigger significance for him. Alfred Cossmann took a decisive roll in the development of book plates ; now, free from everyday worries, he found the final form of his expression in copper engraving. Numerous honors and awards – as the Golden State Medal in 1913, the Emperor’s Award in 1916 and, at last, the Decoration of the Austrian Republic in gold - verify and confirm that his work was highly appreciated because he had a lasting effect upon his time not only as a human being and artist, but also as an immediate teacher at the "Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt".

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Biography

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Austria 1916 "For Express" (2,1) [Typo] Sc(QE1,QE2)