1037) The New Silk Road: A Joint issue of a two stamp set of 1.50 Euros each by Spain (Correos Post) and China: Stamps issue date: 01.07.2019:

1037) The New Silk Road: A Joint issue of a two stamp set  of 1.50 Euros each by Spain (Correos Post) and China: Stamps issue date: 01.07.2019:

Correos Post, Spain has brought out a Joint Issue with China.

The Premium Sheet is dedicated to the new Silk Road - the Cargo Train from Madrid (Spain) to Yiwu (China) that has run the 13,000 kilometres (approx.)  between the two cities since 18.11.2014.

Twice a week, the train nicknamed the "Silk Train" begins its long and arduous journey to China. It departs Madrid and runs  exactly 13,052 kilometres, passing through France, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan. When it reaches the Chinese city and trading hub of Yiwu, it unloads its merchandise and starts the journey back to Madrid.

During its journey, the train has to adapt up to three times to the different track gauges in different countries it passes through. The "Silk Train" is a much more environmental friendly option than the same route taken by road and saves upto 70 tonnes of carbon emissions.

 Presently, this inter-continental crossing takes 16 days, something which was inconceivable in the past centuries, when trade routes were mostly maritime, apart from the Silk Route spanning continents.

The train is a freight train and carries no passengers, carrying only cargo, products imported from China for use in daily lives and Spanish products which are in great demand all over the world like - olive oil, ham and Iberian Pork products, Spanish wine et al.

This East to West exchange has revolutionised foreign trade, with many new contracts between the two countries favouring economic development.

The Commemorative Stamp:

The Stamp set depicts the Silk Train, with some of the stamps showing the outward journey and others the return journey.

The Premium Sheet (PS) contains six stamps each of the two variants depicting the  to and from journey and showing a map with the Silk Train's route over the train tracks.

The First Day Cover (FDC) issued on the occasion shows the Silk Train. The FDC is marked "CORREOS" (Post).The two stamps of 1.50 Euros each have been cancelled with a special Handstamp depicting the Silk Train in the centre.  The cancellation date is "01.07.2017".

The two stamps of 1.50 Euros each issued in the set are marked "ESPANA CORREOS" and depict the to and from trains from Madrid to China and back.

The specifications/technical details of this Stamp issue are:

Date of issue: 01.07.2019

Issuer: Correos Post, Spain

Process: Offset + Calcografia

Stamp Size: 50 mm x 32 mm

Interesting links to posts on Spanish Coins and interesting postage stamps on this blog:

 1) Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: the creator of Don Quixote: Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of his death by issue of two coins in the denomination of 200 Euros (Gold) and 10 Euros (Silver) by the Royal Spanish Mint - Real Casa de la Moneda in 2016

 2) Comprehensive history of the Dollar illustrated on a Kilo coin minted by Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT) in association with the Real Casa de la Moneda on 29.05.2017 

3) Treasures of the Spanish Museums: Fifth Part of the Series: Paintings from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum depicted on coins released on 07.06.2017

4) Old Town of Avila, Spain: A UNESCO World Heritage Site featured on a 2 Euro Proof Coin by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre Real Casa de la Moneda" (FNMT-RCM- "National Coinage & Stamp Factory - The Royal Spanish Mint)

5) History of Navigation (or "Historia de la Navigacion"): 2nd issue: A set of four coins brought out by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre Real Casa de la Moneda" (FNMT-RCM):: 02/2019

6) Spanish Renaissance: 200 Euro (4 Escudo) Gold and Silver 10 Euro (8 Reales) Collector Coins: "Europa Coin Programme" or the "Eurostar Coin Programme" depicted on Gold and Silver Coins issued by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda: Issue date: 27.05.2019

7) The Great Silk Road: A Stamp of 150 KGS issued by Kyrgyz Express Post on 24.11.2017

8) Along the Silk Road 2017 World Heritage - UNESCO: A set of 6 stamps issued on 03.08.2017