Imperial Legacy: 800th Birthday of Kaiser Friedrich II

This commemorative issue marks the 800th anniversary of the birth of Kaiser Friedrich II (1194–1250), one of the most enigmatic and influential rulers of the Middle Ages. Released by the Deutsche Bundespost on June 16, 1994, the 400 Pfennig stamp depicts the Emperor enthroned, based on a miniature from the late 13th-century Manfred edition of his famous "Falcon Book" (De arte venandi cum avibus).

The official Ersttagsblatt (18/1994) provides a detailed biography of the ruler known as "Stupor Mundi" (The Wonder of the World):

Born: December 26, 1194, in Jesi near Ancona.

Reign: He served as King of Sicily, German King, and Holy Roman Emperor, famously reclaiming Jerusalem through diplomacy during the Sixth Crusade.

Intellectual Contributions: A patron of science and poetry, he founded the University of Naples in 1224 and authored the first scientific treatise on falconry.

Death: He passed away in 1250 and was buried in the Cathedral of Palermo.

The collector's sheet, designed by Harry Scheuner, features a specialized first-day cancellation from Bonn depicting the Imperial Orb and Scepter.