Deutsche Bundespost Goethe's Doctor Johannes Faust

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST on 14 November 1979 issued a stamp depicting Goethe's Doctor Johannes Faust with Homunculus and Mephistopheles. It was based on a woodcut made in 1616. Six-color offset printing method was used with K 14 perforations. Cancellation postmark originated from Bonn, West Germany.

The cachet on the envelope is a scene at Auerbach’s Tavern, which is a nod to the long line of Faust myths and folklore that came before Goethe’s epic. Auerbach’s Tavern was  a real and well-known drinking establishment in the city of Leipzig. It opened its doors in 1438, and Goethe himself was a patron while a student at the University of Leipzig. The intentions of the scene, in folklore, are to show Faust making his transition from doctor, chemist, and magician to a more drunken or debauched state as he is slowly tempted by the Devil. In the legend, Faust performs tricks of magic and flies away from the tavern on a barrel of wine, just as a witch would fly away on her broom.

The legend of Faust is an old one, and one that preceded Goethe's version. In Goethe's incarnation Dr. Faustus  is disillusioned with life and frustrated due to the limited scope of man's knowledge. Dr. Johannes Faustus decides to sell his soul to Lucifer in order to obtain power over the demon Mephistopheles. Through this demon, Faustus is able to travel far and wide, as well as learn and perform different types of magic.

 Goethe’s play, which contains an array of epic, lyric, dramatic, operatic, and balletic elements, ranges through various poetic metres and styles to present an immensely varied cultural commentary that draws upon theology, mythology, philosophy, political economy, science, aesthetics, music, and literature. In the end Goethe saves Faust by bringing about his purification and redemption.