A Voice Against Injustice: The Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld Centenary

This commemorative issue marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Jesuit priest, poet, and human rights pioneer Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld (1591–1635). Released by the Deutsche Bundespost on February 14, 1991, the 100 Pfennig stamp features a portrait of Spee alongside the title of his famous work against witch trials, "Cautio Criminalis", and an excerpt from his song collection, "Trutz-Nachtigall".

The official Ersttagsblatt documentation describes Spee as a courageous advocate who fought against torture and the judicial madness of witch hunts. He is also remembered for his significant contributions to German Baroque literature and his selfless service as a hospital chaplain, which eventually led to his death from the plague at the age of 44. This collector's sheet, designed by Antonia Graschberger, features a first-day-of-issue postmark from Bonn that includes a reproduction of the author's own signature.