The Centenary of Anthony Burgess’s birth has inspired many commemorations around the world, especially in the place he lived. Monaco is celebrating its connection with Burgess with a new commemorative stamp.

Monaco was Burgess’s home from 1975 to 1993, a relatively settled period of his life in which he lived with his wife Liana and his son Paolo Andrea in an apartment on Rue Grimaldi. During his time in Monaco, Burgess wrote many of his most well received books, including the two volumes of his autobiography and Earthly Powers (1980), thought by many to be his masterpiece. It was also during this period that Burgess focussed on the composition of music, completing large scale orchestral pieces such as The Manchester Overture (1989) and musicals such as Trotsky’s in New York! (1979), and Blooms of Dublin (1981), based on James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Burgess was also involved in the cultural life of Monaco, and was one of the founding trustees of the Princess Grace Irish Library. The Library itself has become a centre of James Joyce studies and commemorates Princess Grace’s Irish heritage. The image on this stamp celebrates Burgess’s connection to the Princess Grace Memorial Library, which is pictured in the background.

The stamp was designed by Caroline Landgon Banks, who is one of the Burgess Foundation’s trustees. It can be ordered from the Monaco Office de Timbres, where more details can be found.

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