Born on 14th March 1923 in Hlohovec, Jozef Baláž is a prominent painter in Slovakia’s artistic community as well as a talented graphic artist of postage stamps. In 1957 he created the first stamp designs for the issue TANAP (Tatra National Park). Besides his own artistic works, he devoted an unbelievable 46 years to graphic lay-outs of postage stamps. Jozef Baláž’s mastery of painting and illustrating is carried on through stamp art, for which he makes meticulous research. His complete knowledge of the technical stamp making parameters enables him to better create designs specifically to commemorate particular anniversaries and important social events. He created incredible designs with animal themes and figurative creations using symbolism and abstract forms. Remarkable are his portraits of great personalities where the artist has impressed his seal of exact characteristic and suitable composition. This issue is published on Postage stamp day 2003 and depicts the drawing which Jozef Baláž created for the issue of 110th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (drawing on issue block, catalogue no. A 2652, issued on 12th June 1984). His self-portrait is on the coupon.