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Wednesday 20 May 2020

1358) "Ancient Postal Routes - from the times of the Imperial Roman Empire," Spain: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a Premium Sheet of six stamps of the value of "B" Tariff each: Date of Stamp issued: 14.05.2020:

1358) "Ancient Postal Routes - from the times of the Imperial Roman Empire," Spain: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a Premium Sheet of six stamps of the value of "B" Tariff each: Date of Stamp issued: 14.05.2020:

In place since the times of ancient Kingdoms, States and Empires, the Postal Routes have been essential for bringing governments and societies closer together throughout history. 

Former trade routes marked by posts and resting places enabled couriers and messengers to carry post across the obstacles posed by geography.

In Spain, the routes date back to Imperial Roman times when former Tartessos, Phoenician and pre-Roman routes were used to build their network of roads, where the official post and "cursus publicus" would circulate.

During the Middle Ages, the lack of circulating correspondence did not mean communication disappeared completely and the routes were recovered with the expansion of the Christian kingdoms and the development of trade and cities during the Late Middle Ages.

The Renaissance brought with it the rebirth of the postal routes thanks to Francisco de Tassis. He managed to create the first European network leading Philip I of Castile (also known as Philip the Handsome) to appoint him as Post Master, thus managing to establish one of the foundations of the Spanish monarchy.

The road network that started taking shape at the time was driven by the  enlightened reforms of the Bourbon Dynasty. During its period, the branch of Roads was incorporated into the Superintendency of Post Roads, which were paved and maintained, Post Offices and Carrier Houses were constructed and the "Real Casa de Correos" (Royal Post Office) was built at kilometre zero of the network of Postal Routes, which was later used in contemporary times to establish the current road network in Spain.

This Stamp issue has been released under the Ancient Postal Routes series of PostEurop's EUROPA2020 theme:
The format for this stamp issue is a Premium Sheet where the main image is an iconic image of a postman cycling along a rural route, with a dog following him. 

 The stamp portrays the importance of the routes in the past and how they became the basis for the present postal routes. They are represented in fragments of roadsides, ancient routes and tracings of modern motorways.

 The Premium Sheet is titled "PUEGO PREMIUM 2020 Europa" and "ANTIGUAS RUTAS POSTALES" (in Spanish).
The individual Stamp is inscribed "ESPANA CORREOS" ("Spain Correos") and "B Tarifa" (Tariff B).  Two roads are depicted on the stamp, with route maps alongside each one.

 On the lower section is mentioned - "EUROPA ANTIGUAS RUTAS POSTALES" (meaning "EUROPA Ancient Postal Routes").

The technical details:

Stamp issue date: 14.05.2020

Process: Offset

Stamp Size: 49.8 mm x 33.2 mm (horizontal)

Stamp values: Tarifa B

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 Postaladministrations/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, which 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 - FamousWomen

 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 - Forest - International Year of Forests

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

 2013 - Van of the Postman

 2014 - Musical instruments (National Mucical 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 "EUROPA-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

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

20) Ancient Postal Routes - 2 historic spots on "Tartu-Voru Road" Estonia: EUROPA 2020 theme: "Omniva" (previously "Eesti Post) - Estonian Post - has issued stamps of the value of 1.90 Euro each, featuring two historic stops on the old Tartu-Varu Road: Date of Stamps issue: 14.05.2020

 21) "Ancient Postal Routes - from the times of the Imperial roman Empire", Spain: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a Premium Sheet of six stamps of the value of "B" Tariff each: Date of Stamp issued: 14.05.2020
Interesting links to posts on Portugal and Spanish Coins and postage stamps on this blog:








9) "Nacional Museo del Prado", Spain: Celebrating the Bicentenary milestone (1819-2019): Commemorative Silver Coins of 30 Euros issued by Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda on 20.11.2019: Coins minted by the Madrid Mint

For more interesting posts on Coins and stamps of Portugal, please visit the following links:






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6 comments:

  1. coins and more21 May 2020 at 13:56

    Santosh Khanna has commented:
    'Excellent Post".

    ReplyDelete
  2. coins and more21 May 2020 at 13:58

    Rajan Trikha has commented:
    "Very historical information Loved it."

    ReplyDelete
  3. coins and more21 May 2020 at 13:59

    Mukesh Agarwal has commented:
    "Very informative. Perhaps tradition of GPO as starting km originated from this."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coins and more21 May 2020 at 13:59

      That is very correct, Mukesh. The Pune GPO had a zero milestone in front of the building, which is a popular landmark.

      Delete

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