Austrian writer Elfriede Jelinek, winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in literature, has turned down a rare honor for a living writer – to be featured on a stamp.
Austrian postal officials reportedly offered to feature Jelinek's likeness on a stamp along with a mention of her Nobel win.
However, the reclusive author has turned them down, saying she sought "no personal honors" and was uncomfortable with the idea of her face on a stamp.
Some countries, like the U.S., have developed a policy that no living person shall be honored on postage, and that prominent individuals are only eligible for commemorative stamps 10 years after the person's death, with the exception of former U.S. presidents.
Canada Post no longer has such a policy but tends to issue stamps commemorating people only after their deaths, with the exception of living monarchs.
