1355) Ancient Postal Routes, Netherlands: Theme of 2020-EUROPA Stamps: PostNL has issued a 6-Stamp Sheet featuring Ancient Post Routes followed by Von Thurn und Taxis Postal Services during 17th to 19th Centuries : Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 11.05.2020:

1355) Ancient Postal Routes, Netherlands: Theme of 2020-EUROPA Stamps: PostNL has issued a 6-Stamp Sheet featuring Ancient Post Routes followed by Von Thurn und Taxis Postal Services during 17th to 19th Centuries : Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 11.05.2020:

For hundreds of years, there was one family that had a de-facto monopoly on European Mail delivery. 

In 1489, Maximilian I of Austria ordered the Lombardian courier family Tasso to set up a postal network, which also included the routes to and from the Low Countries.

Under Philip the Handsome and Charles V - Maximilian's son and grandson - the network continued to expand across the Hapsburg Empire. The mail was taken from A to B as fast as possible, first on horseback and then by coach. Although stagecoaches were not as fast as horses, they were able to carry a lot more post. Paying passengers too, provided additional earnings.

Counts Von Thurn und Taxis - because that was the name of the Tasso family acquired in the 17th Century - used a relay system to deliver the mail as quickly and efficiently as possible. Along the routes, there were plenty of stage stations where postillions cound rest, get a fresh horse and drop off mail or pick it up. Their motto was "cito, cito, cito, citissimo" (meaning "fast, fast, fast and super-fast"). It was all about getting news to the farthest corners of Europe in as little time as possible. In this way, the Von Thurn und Taxis family business dominated the European Postal Service from the 16th to 19th Centuries.

The Stamp Sheet issued by PostNL:

The Stamp Sheet titled "Old Postal Routes" features 6 postage stamps in two designs.

The first design features an etch of a postillion on horseback with a post horn at his mouth.

The second design features a print of two postillions on the box of a stagecoach pulled by two horses. 

On the right hand side of each stamp there are identical vertical cut-outs of a painting of a resting horse with its head in a feeding trough. All images have been printed in the same blue Priority logo.

A separate layer in gold features two symbols that refer to action and rest in the relay system on the Old Postal Routes. The symbols comprise an equilateral triangle pointing to the right to symbolise action and two narrow parallel bars to symbolise rest. The typography of the Stamp is printed in white above the large image with the horse/stagecoach and then down along the narrow image with the resting horse.

The PostEurop "EUROPA" logo is printed below the horse. A line of golden dashes indicating the route has been drawn between the images and the typography. The line runs from the left tab across the two Stamps to the right. The dashes symbolise the stops on the Postal Routes that the postillions used to run.

On the edge of the Sheet is the title of the stamp Sheet, below which is the motto of the Von Thurn und Taxis family in Dutch "snel, snel, supresnel".

The original motto, in Latin "cito, cito, cito, citissimo" is printed below, above the text explaining how the Von Thun und Taxis family dominated mail delivery in Europe from the 16th to 19th Centuries.

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows a Dutch woman sitting at a table writing a letter in the period 16th to 19th Centuries. The special Cancellation Handstamp is in the shape of an open letter and a quill pen. The Cancellation is dated - "11.05.2020".

The Presentation Pack.

The Stamp Booklet.

The Technical Details:

Stamp Sheet Issue Date: 11.05.2020

Designer: studio026, Arnhem (Anne Schaufeli & Huub de Lang)

Printer: Koninklijke Joh. Enschede B.V., Haarlem

Process: Offset

Colours: black, PMS 072 blue, PMS gold and phosphorus

Stamp Size: 36.0 mm x 25.0 mm

Stamp Sheet Size: 108.0 mm x 150.0 mm

About EUROPA Stamps:

EUROPA  Postage Stamps (also known as EUROPA-CEPT - European Conference Postal and Telecommunication Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Conference Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.

EUROPA Stamps underline  cooperation in the posts domain, aimed at promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.

As such, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer cooperation and integration.

When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the EUROPA issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop i.e the word "EUROPA" leaning towards the right hand side.

The cooperating Postal Administrations/Enterprises in Europe have been issuing stamps with a common theme for that year for over 60 years.

Since 2002, a design competition has also been associated with this - the EUROPA Stamp Best Design Competition.

The competition is organised by PostEurop. Each year, PostEurop's Stamps and Philately Group selects the EUROPA STAMP theme. The themes since 1993 have been:

1993 - Contemporary Art

1994 - Great discoveries

1995 - Peace and Freedom

1996 - Famous Women

1997 - Tales and Legends

1998 - Festivals and National Celebrations

1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks

2000 - Common Design, Tower of 6 Stars

2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature

2002 - The Circus

2003 - Poster Art

2004 - Holidays

2005 - Gastronomy

2006 - Integration through the Eyes of Young People

2007 - Scout Centenary

2008 - Writing Letters

2009 - Astronomy

2010 - Children Books

2011 - Forests - International Year of Forests

2012 - Visit …….. (for instance "Visit Finland")

2013 - Van of the Postman

2014 - Musical Instruments

2015 - Old Toys

2016 - Ecology in Europe

2017 - Castles

2018 - Bridges

2019 - National Birds

2020 - ancient Postal Routes

2021 - the theme will be "Endangered National Wildlife"

2022 - the theme will be "Stories and Myths"

Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop for 2020:

1) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships, Guernsey. a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A EUROPA set od six stamps brought out by Guernsey Post depicting six Mail Ships that sailed between Guernsey and the United Kingdom: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.04.2020

2) "Ancient Postal Routes, Romanian Principalities XIX Century", Romania: A set of two Postage Stamps of Lei 20.50 and Lei 1.90 issued by "Romfilatelia" (Romanian Post) depicting Ancient Postal Routes and modes of postal transport: Date of Stamp Set issue: 09.04.2020

 3) "Ancient Postal Routes, Biga", Bosnia & Herzgovina: Two EUROPA stamps of 3.00 Euro each depicting a Wagon and the two faces of a Silver Coin issued on 05.04.2020

4) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

 5) "Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships", Jersey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps depicting the Mail Ships - Rover, the Atalanta, the Cygnus, the Lydia and Isle of Jersey and The Caesarea III, issued by Jersey Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.04.2020

6) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date od Stamp issue: 17.04.2020

7) "Ancient Postal Routes through blizzards, snow covered mountain routes and straits", Faroe Islands: Two Stamps of 17KR and 20KR issued by Posta (Faroe Islands Post) under the Europa theme for 2020: Date of stamp set issue: 27.04.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes during the time of Louis the Great - 14th century", Hungary: A set of two postage stamps issued by Magyar Posta of 650 HUF each: Date of Stamp set issue: 04.05.2020

9) "Ancient Postal Routes in the Ottoman Empire - 17th century" Serbia: A set of two Stamps issued by Serbian Post in the denominations of 74 ans 108 Dinaras (Dinars): Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.05.2020 

10) "Ancient Postal Routes, Santa Claus", Finland: A EUROPA Stamp released by "Posti" (Finland Post): Date of Stamp release: 06.05.2020

11) "Ancient Postal Routes, through Rheinhausen-Basel-Zurich", Switzerland: EUROPA theme for 2020: A set of two Postage stamps of 100 Swiss francs each issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020

12) "Ancient Postal Routes - Packet ships The Lady Mary Wood (1842) and SS Iberia (1836)", Gibraltar: EUROPA 2020 Theme: A set of two Postage stamps in the denominations of 1.66 Pounds & 2.86 Pounds issued by Gibraltar Post: Date of Stamps issue: 08.05.2020

13) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020

14) "Ancient Postal Routes - by Horse Transport & Bicycles", Latvia: EUROPA 2020 theme: A set of two postage stamps of 1,35 Euro and 1.42 Euro issued by "Latvijas Pasts" (Latvian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 08.05.2020

15) "Ancient Postal Routes - 18th Century", Monaco: EUROPA 2020 theme: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by "La Poste de Monaco" (Monaco Post) on 06.05.2020

16) "Ancient Postal Routes - Within and Outside Europe", Iceland: Two Postage Stamps issued by "Islandpostur" (Iceland Post) in the denominations of ISK 3150: Date of Stamps issue: 07.05.2020

17) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Old Road Majstorska Cesta", Croatia: A Se-tenant of two Stamps of the values of 8.60 HRK issued by Croatian Post: Date of stamp issue: 08.05.2020

<sub><sup>18) "Ancient Postal Routes - Historical Postal Routes Thurn & Taxis", Austria" Stamp issue date: 06.05.2020

19) Ancient Postal Routes, Netherlands: Theme of 2020-Europa Stamps: PostNL has issued a 6-Stamp Sheet featuring Ancient Postal Routes followed by Von Thurn und Taxis Postal Services during the 17th to 19th Centuries: Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 11.05.2020</sup></sub>

Some other interesting Posts from Finland & Nordic Countries:

1) Mint of Finland: Provincial Coins issued in 2010 & 2011 depicting cultures/traditions of Nine Historic Provinces which ceased to be Administrative Regions in 1634  

2) Commemorative Coins on Finnish Nature: 2 Euro (Cupro-Nickel) and 10 Euro (Silver) Coin depicting a Crow issued as part of "Finland 100" (Centennial Programme in 2017

3) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part I): Historical Development of Coinage in Denmark

4) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part II): The Evolution of Banknotes in Denmark

 5) "The Golden Age of Finnish Art": A 10 Euro Silver Coin with the afore-mentioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - "The Age of Iron and Glass" under the overall theme of "Ages of Europe" issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "European Silver Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme"

6) Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway): Introduction of the VIII Series of innovative/pixelated Banknotes with the theme "The Sea" in a phased manner from May 2017 to Q4 2020 and gradual withdrawal of the presently circulating Banknotes (VII Series) 

7) Currency and Coinage of Sweden: Kronor and Ore: New Banknote Series and Coins being issued in 2015 and 2016 

8) Currency and Coinage of Iceland: issued by  the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Kroner & Eyrir 

9) Centenary of the First Constitution of Independent Finland (1919-2019): A 100 Euro Gold Commemorative Coin celebrates the Centenary Anniversary with this abstract design minted by the Mint of Finland at their facilities in Vantaa: Coin Release date: 17.06.2019

10) "Protection of the Baltic Sea", Finland: The theme of this six stamp set issued by "Posti" (Finland Post), Finland, represented by Moomin stories characters: Stamp set issue date: 22.01.2020

11) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

12) Wildflowers, Aland: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

13) "Arctic Deserts", Kalaallit Nunaat, ("Land of the People"), Greenland: Special Stamps issued by Greenland Post, the first one on 21.01.2019 and the second Stamp on 28.02.2020

14) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

15) "Franking Labels" from Greenland: Franking Labels issued by POST Greenland Filatelia since 2009 onwards: A brief analysis

16) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

Links to other Posts on Aland issues:

1) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

2) Wildflowers, Aland Islands: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

3) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:

1) The Stelling Van Amsterdam (Defense Line of Amsterdam), Netherlands: Royal Dutch Mint: Latest "Dutch UNESCO Sites Series" coins in the denominations of 5 Euro (Plated Copper), 5 Euro (Silver) and 10 Euro (Gold) issued on 21.11.2017

2) Fanny Blankers-Koen - "The Flying Housewife" who won four Gold Medals at the 1948 London Olympics: 100th Birth Anniversary commemorated with the issue of Gold, Sterling Silver and Silver plated Copper Coins in 2018

3) Netherlands: Gold Ducats - 2018: Single Ducat and Double Ducat Gold Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands in 2018

4) Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Netherlands (or the "koninklijke Nederlandse Munt): Crossing the 100th Anniversary milestone with the issue the the World's first QR Coded Coin in 2011: Winner of the prestigious 2013 "Coin of the Year Award" (COTY) & the Most Innovative Coin of the Year" Category

5) The Beemster, Netherlands: 20th Anniversary of Beemster Polder being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: An efficient Land reclamation Project emulated by several countries world-wide: A set of Gold (10 Euro), Sterling Silver, Silver-plated and Uncirculated (All 5 Euro) coins brought out by the Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht in 2019

6) Dutch Aviation, Netherlands: Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019): Three coins - one Gold (10 Euros), One Sterling Silver (5 Euros) and a Silver-plated (5 Euros) Coins, along with a Silver medal celebrate this milestone in Dutch Aviation history: Coin issue date: 14.03.2019

7) A New 2019 Fourth Series of Banknotes, Aruba, issued by the Central Bank of Aruba (Centrale Bank van Aruba) on 04.06.2019 comprising five denominations with the theme of "Endangered Flora and Fauna of Aruba" and historic monuments and landmarks

8) Butterflies and Moths of Netherlands: A set of 10 Postage stamps brought out by PostNL on 11.06.2019 under its ongoing Postage Stamp Series titled "Experience Nature "

9) "De Haar Castle", Utrecht, Netherlands: The first Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles" Coin Series: A silver ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Date/Year of Delivery: 04/2020

10) First Atlases, Netherlands: Commemorating 450 Years of the first Atlas (1570-2020) & others: A Stamp Sheet of six stamps depicting the Atlases which were compiled in the Netherlands in the 16th & 17th Centuries AD: Stamp Set issued by POstNL: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020

Posts from Belgium & Luxembourg:

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

2) Special Commemorative circulating 2 Euro Coins issued by Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg with the themes of Economic and Political Institutions 

3) Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (BENELUX): National Airports Theme: A new collaborative Mint-set brought out in 2019 which incloudes all the circulating coins of the BENELUX region and a medal with the 2019 theme - "Air travel"

4) Pentagons in Nature, Belgium: "Geometry in Nature Series": Third Postage Stamp issue in the series commenced in 2018: Stamp set issue date: 27.01.2020

5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020

6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020

7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date od Stamp issue: 17.04.2020