Postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands
Encyclopedia
This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history
of the Netherlands
.
The postal region of the Netherlands is located in North-West Europe
and comprises the whole territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
in Europe and until 2010 the full territory of the country the Netherlands. Four other postal regions exist in the kingdom: for Aruba
, the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba)
, Curaçao
and Sint Maarten
.
in Britain in 1944 for use on ships of the Netherlands Navy serving with the Allies
.
Regular stamp issues have continued since then including several long-running definitive stamp
series, numerous commemorative stamp
s and the regular issue of semi-postal stamps for charitable causes which has become a notable feature of Netherlands philately
.
s, issuing over 150 since the first one in 1902.
in The Hague
.
Postal history
Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...
of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
The postal region of the Netherlands is located in North-West Europe
North-West Europe
North-West Europe is a term that refers to a northern area of Western Europe, although the exact area or countries it comprises varies.-Geographic definition:...
and comprises the whole territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in Western Europe and in the Caribbean. The four parts of the Kingdom—Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten—are referred to as "countries", and participate on a basis of equality...
in Europe and until 2010 the full territory of the country the Netherlands. Four other postal regions exist in the kingdom: for Aruba
Postage stamps and postal history of Aruba
Aruba has produced its own stamps since 1 January 1986, when it was granted internal autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It had previously been part of the Netherlands Antilles. The official language is Dutch.- Early days :...
, the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba)
Postage stamps and postal history of the Caribbean Netherlands
The three public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The islands form a separate postage region under the name Caribisch Nederland . The first stamp issued showed the maps of the three islands...
, Curaçao
Postage stamps and postal history of Curaçao
Curaçao, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010. The island forms one of the five postage regions in the Kingdom. The first stamp issued shows the map of the island.The value of the current...
and Sint Maarten
Postage stamps and postal history of Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010. The Island forms one of the five postage regions in the Kingdom. The first stamp issued shows the map of the island Saint Martin.The...
.
First stamps
The first stamps of the Netherlands were issued in 1852 and depicted King William III.Second World War
During the Second World War the Netherlands were occupied by Germany. Stamp issues continued and a number of semi-postal stamps were issued.Post-war
The Netherlands were liberated on . The previous stamps continued in use until a new series was introduced on . This series contained stamps originally issued by the Netherlands Government in ExileDutch government in exile
The Dutch government in exile was the government of the Netherlands, headed by Queen Wilhelmina, that evacuated to London after the German invasion of the country at the outset of World War II....
in Britain in 1944 for use on ships of the Netherlands Navy serving with the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
.
Regular stamp issues have continued since then including several long-running definitive stamp
Definitive stamp
A definitive stamp is a postage stamp, that is part of a regular issue of a country's stamps available for sale by the postal service for an extended period of time...
series, numerous commemorative stamp
Commemorative stamp
A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp, often issued on a significant date such as an anniversary, to honor or commemorate a place, event or person. The subject of the commemorative stamp is usually spelled out in print, unlike definitive stamps which normally depict the subject along with the...
s and the regular issue of semi-postal stamps for charitable causes which has become a notable feature of Netherlands philately
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
.
Provincial stamps
In 2002 a series of 12 provincial stamps were issued. Whilst not strictly local stamps, as they were valid throughout The Netherlands, the stamps were only available to purchase from post offices in the relevant province or from the Netherlands Philatelic Bureau.Variable value stamps
Variable value stamps have been issued in The Netherlands since 1989.Stamp booklets
The Netherlands Post Office has been an enthusiastic issuer of postage stamp bookletPostage stamp booklet
A postage stamp booklet is a booklet made up of one or more small panes of postage stamps in a cardboard cover. Booklets are often made from sheets especially printed for this purpose, with a narrow selvedge at one side of the booklet pane for binding. From the cutting, the panes are usually...
s, issuing over 150 since the first one in 1902.
International Court of Justice
A number of stamps have been issued since 1934 for use at the International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
.
See also
- List of people on stamps of the Netherlands
- Postage stamps and postal history of ArubaPostage stamps and postal history of ArubaAruba has produced its own stamps since 1 January 1986, when it was granted internal autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It had previously been part of the Netherlands Antilles. The official language is Dutch.- Early days :...
- Postage stamps and postal history of the Caribbean NetherlandsPostage stamps and postal history of the Caribbean NetherlandsThe three public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The islands form a separate postage region under the name Caribisch Nederland . The first stamp issued showed the maps of the three islands...
- Postage stamps and postal history of CuraçaoPostage stamps and postal history of CuraçaoCuraçao, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010. The island forms one of the five postage regions in the Kingdom. The first stamp issued shows the map of the island.The value of the current...
- Postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands AntillesPostage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands AntillesThis is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of the postal areas Netherlands Antilles as well as its predecessor Curaçao. The area consisted of the islands Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius as well as Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba .Early mail service in the islands of the...
- Postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands East IndiesPostage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands East IndiesThis is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands East Indies, otherwise known as the Dutch East Indies, and which today is known as Indonesia.- Further reading :...
- Postage stamps and postal history of Sint MaartenPostage stamps and postal history of Sint MaartenSint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands started issuing postal stamps after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010. The Island forms one of the five postage regions in the Kingdom. The first stamp issued shows the map of the island Saint Martin.The...
- Postage stamps and postal history of SurinamePostage stamps and postal history of SurinameSuriname, a former Dutch colony on the north-east coast of South America, has issued stamps since 1873. The earlier issues up until it gained state autonomy in December 1954, mostly featured the head of the Netherlands monarch on them. Suriname gained full independence in November 1975.-External...
Further reading
- Melville, FredFred MelvilleFrederick John Melville was a British philatelist, prolific philatelic author and founder of The Junior Philatelic Society. He was also a founder in 1907 of the Philatelic Literature Society...
. Holland, The Melville Stamp Books. 1909.