Postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands Antilles
Encyclopedia
This is a survey of the postage stamp
s 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 (now part of the Netherlands as postal area "Caribbean Netherlands") as well as Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba (which each are separate postal areas).
Early mail service in the islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
in the Caribbean consisted of carriage by casual ship, and a number of letters are recorded from this period. A British post office
operated during the occupation of 1807 to 1815. In 1825, the Dutch government established a post office
at Willemstad
; from then until 1834 a packet operated between there and Hellevoetsluis
. From 1842 to 1854, mail was carried by British packets, and after 1854 by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
, until 1885.
(the name was used for the six islands collectively when the areas was named Curaçao and Dependencies
and Territory of Curaçao]) were issued 23 May 1873; they depicted William III
in profile, and were inscribed "CURAÇAO", as were all issues for the next 77 years. The six original values (2½c to 50c) were joined by a 2.50-gulden value in 1879, a 12½c in 1886, and four more values in 1889. All of these were issued without gum
(due to the heat and humidity) until 1890.
In 1889 a longstanding tradition began with the issuance of low-value (1c to 5c) stamps showing only a large numeral. In 1891 the 30c value was surcharge
d 25c. Meanwhile, the passing of William left his daughter Wilhelmina
to be among the youngest persons depicted on a stamp to that date, with five values appearing between 1892 and 1896. Only the vignette actually changed.
Additional surcharges were needed periodically; 2½c in 1895, and in 1901/1902 they were applied to stamps of the Netherlands
. A new definitive series came out in 1904, with numeral in a horizontal layout for low values, and Wilhelmina in a circular frame for the higher values. Additional values were added in 1906 and 1908.
In 1915 a new series reused designs from the Netherlands Indies stamps of a few years previously. The low-value numbers were changed to have a white instead of a hatched background, for readability, while medium values showed the Queen and a ship at sea, with the highest values showing the Queen flanked by palm trees. These stamps continued as the standard for many years, with some values getting color changes; for instance, the 5c was originally rose, then changed to green in 1922, then to lilac in 1926.
The first commemorative stamp
s, in 1923, celebrated Wilhelmina's 25th anniversary, depicting her with a finely-engraved portrait. The portrait was reused in the definitive series of 1928, which added a steamship to the bottom of the design.
In 1934, a series of 17 types marked the 300th anniversary of the colony; designs included portraits of figures significant in history, plus a view of Van Walbeecks' ship.
1936 saw a new definitive series, with the usual lower values as numerals, now vertical in an oval frame, while from 10c on up was a profile of Wilhelmina wearing a sort of shawl or veil drawn back; a depiction of the Queen not seen any other stamps of the Dutch area.
The 40th anniversary issue in 1938 and the definitives of 1941/1942/1947 reverted to the use of the same profiles of Wilhelmina as the Netherlands and the Netherlands Indies.
A set of 15 airmail stamps in October 1942 were bi-colored designs showing airplanes, maps, and scenery in various combinations; they were soon followed by set of six regular issues in 1943 that were also bi-colored, each with a scenic view of a different island. A last set of airmail stamps appeared in 1947, the lower values a stylized plane and posthorn design, and the higher showing a DC-4 skimming the waves.
A 1948 set of 11, showing white-haired Wilhelmina in profile, quickly became dated as Queen Juliana
was invested with the crown in September; she appeared on a pair of stamps commemorating the occasion in September.
The name of the colony officially changed in 1949, and was first inscribed in two stamps issued in October for the 74th anniversary of the UPU. The name change also entailed new definitives, which began appearing in 1950, using the same design as issued for the Netherlands the previous year, but inscribed "NED. ANTILLEN".
A handful of commemoratives appeared during the 1950s, and then 1958 new definitives adopted a simple and artistic designs representing the different islands. The designs continued in use for many years, with new sets of (higher) values supplementing the originals in 1973 and 1977.
The numbers of stamps issued each years gradually crept upward, but still at a relatively restrained pace. The focus of issues was generally on local wildlife and tourism themes. After Aruba obtained the status of country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it formed its own postal area.
, Sint Maarten
and the Caribbean Netherlands
.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s and postal history
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 postal areas Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
as well as its predecessor Curaçao
Curaçao and Dependencies
The Colony of Curaçao and Dependencies was a Dutch colony from 1815 until 1828 and from 1845 until 1936. Between 1936 and 1948, the area was known as the Territory of Curaçao , and after 1948 as the Netherlands Antilles...
. The area consisted of the islands Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (now part of the Netherlands as postal area "Caribbean Netherlands") as well as Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba (which each are separate postal areas).
Early mail service in the islands 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 the Caribbean consisted of carriage by casual ship, and a number of letters are recorded from this period. A British post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
operated during the occupation of 1807 to 1815. In 1825, the Dutch government established a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
at Willemstad
Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
Willemstad is the capital city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Formerly the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to its dissolution in 2010, it has an estimated population of 140,000. The historic centre of...
; from then until 1834 a packet operated between there and Hellevoetsluis
Hellevoetsluis
Hellevoetsluis is a small city and municipality on Voorne-Putten Island in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland...
. From 1842 to 1854, mail was carried by British packets, and after 1854 by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company was a British shipping company founded in London in 1839 by Scot James Macqueen. After good and bad times it became the largest shipping group in the world in 1927 when it took over the White Star Line....
, until 1885.
Curaçao (1873-1950)
The first postage stamps of CuraçaoCuraçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
(the name was used for the six islands collectively when the areas was named Curaçao and Dependencies
Curaçao and Dependencies
The Colony of Curaçao and Dependencies was a Dutch colony from 1815 until 1828 and from 1845 until 1936. Between 1936 and 1948, the area was known as the Territory of Curaçao , and after 1948 as the Netherlands Antilles...
and Territory of Curaçao]) were issued 23 May 1873; they depicted William III
William III of the Netherlands
William III was from 1849 King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg until his death and the Duke of Limburg until the abolition of the Duchy in 1866.-Early life:William was born in Brussels as son of William II of the Netherlands and...
in profile, and were inscribed "CURAÇAO", as were all issues for the next 77 years. The six original values (2½c to 50c) were joined by a 2.50-gulden value in 1879, a 12½c in 1886, and four more values in 1889. All of these were issued without gum
Postage stamp gum
In philately, gum is the substance applied to the back of a stamp to enable it to adhere to a letter or other mailed item. The term is generic, and applies both to traditional types such as gum arabic and to synthetic modern formulations...
(due to the heat and humidity) until 1890.
Overprint
An overprint is an additional layer of text or graphics added to the face of a postage stamp or banknote after it has been printed. Post offices most often use overprints for internal administrative purposes such as accounting but they are also employed in public mail...
d 25c. Meanwhile, the passing of William left his daughter Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina was Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial...
to be among the youngest persons depicted on a stamp to that date, with five values appearing between 1892 and 1896. Only the vignette actually changed.
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...
. A new definitive series came out in 1904, with numeral in a horizontal layout for low values, and Wilhelmina in a circular frame for the higher values. Additional values were added in 1906 and 1908.
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, in 1923, celebrated Wilhelmina's 25th anniversary, depicting her with a finely-engraved portrait. The portrait was reused in the definitive series of 1928, which added a steamship to the bottom of the design.
In 1934, a series of 17 types marked the 300th anniversary of the colony; designs included portraits of figures significant in history, plus a view of Van Walbeecks' ship.
1936 saw a new definitive series, with the usual lower values as numerals, now vertical in an oval frame, while from 10c on up was a profile of Wilhelmina wearing a sort of shawl or veil drawn back; a depiction of the Queen not seen any other stamps of the Dutch area.
A set of 15 airmail stamps in October 1942 were bi-colored designs showing airplanes, maps, and scenery in various combinations; they were soon followed by set of six regular issues in 1943 that were also bi-colored, each with a scenic view of a different island. A last set of airmail stamps appeared in 1947, the lower values a stylized plane and posthorn design, and the higher showing a DC-4 skimming the waves.
Juliana of the Netherlands
Juliana was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands between 1948 and 1980. She was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry...
was invested with the crown in September; she appeared on a pair of stamps commemorating the occasion in September.
Netherlands Antilles (1950-2010)
The numbers of stamps issued each years gradually crept upward, but still at a relatively restrained pace. The focus of issues was generally on local wildlife and tourism themes. After Aruba obtained the status of country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it formed its own postal area.
After the dissolution
After the Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, three issuing identities formed: CuraçaoCuraçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, 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...
and the Caribbean Netherlands
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...
.
See Also
- 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 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 the NetherlandsPostage stamps and postal history of the NetherlandsThis 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...
Sources
- Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
- Encyclopaedia of Postal History
- Stuart Rossiter & John Flower: The Stamp Atlas