1376) Ancient Postal Routes, Madeira (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 Euro each issued by CTT or "Correios de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) on behalf of Madeira: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020:

1376) Ancient Postal Routes, Madeira (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 Euro each issued by CTT or "Correios de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) on behalf of Madeira: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020:

The EUROPA 2020 theme for all Postal Administrations/Enterprises affiliated to PostEurop is "Ancient Postal Routes".

The Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira had their own specific post transportation issues.

The use of maritime transport to send correspondence to the islands had been previewed by old official charters pre-dating the creation of the first Master of Posts.

However, it was only in 1821, that King Joao VI officially created the maritime postal service for the Azores and Madeira. In the interior of the various islands, the circulation of letters and parcels was ensured by private or municipal services that hired couriers or muleteers, as was the case on the Portugal mainland.

Due to the very uneven terrain and the lack of roads, a boat was often used as the simplest way to move around the islands.

As far back as 1871, the Azores Islands were linked by ships from the "Empresa Insulana de Navegacao" ("Island Navigation Company"), which also carried the post. This company had a contract with the Portuguese government and its ships visited Lisbon regularly.

From 1918, and due to its geo-strategic position in the middle of the North Atlantic, the Azores Archipelago was frequently used as a stopover point or operational base for various seaplane flights that had the goal of securing the crossing between North America and the British Isles. However, regular air services to the mainland and to Madeira (including the transportation of post) only started in 1937.

The Port of Funchal was established in 1756, by a Royal Charter from King Jose I.

It was only from 1878, that the "Empresa Insulana de Navegacao" started visiting the island of Madeira regularly and transporting post, under governmental contract that remained valid until 1914.

The EUROPA 2020 Stamps:

The Miniature Sheet (MS) bearing the two stamps of 0.86 Euro.

The First Day Cover (FDC) is identical to the FDC issued by Portugal Post. It shows at lef inkpots, a quill pen, a fully written letter, a seal and a bell to call the retainer. The FDC is affixed with a Miniature sheet (MS). The logo of EUROPA is shown towards the bottom half.

The FDC is titled - "Rotas do Correio Antiga" (meaning "Ancient Postal Routes").

The special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark shows a letter being handed over and is dated - "25.05.2020".

An individual stamp of 0.86 Euro shows a post/letter box and letters with stamps affixed on them. It is titled "Correios Portugal" (Portuguese Post) and "EUROPA MADEIRA". Also "ROTASDO CORREIP ANTIGO" (meaning "Ancient Postal Routes").

A Maxi Card - shows the Stamp, Cancellation  and the picture all on one side.

Seen on the Maxi Card is a ship being loaded with mail from a post van.

The Technical Details:

Stamp set issue date: 25.05.2020

Designer: Helder Soares

Printer: bpost Philately & Stamps Printing

Process: Offset

Size: 40.0 mm x 30.6 mm

Stamp values: 0.86 Euro

Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop "EUROPA-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

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

22) Ancient Postal Routes, Malta: Europa 2020 theme: Malta Post has issued two postage stamps of the values of 0.59 Euro and 2.00 Euro as part of the PostEurop's campaign this year: Date of Stamps issue: 09.05.2020

23) Ancient Postal Routes - the Mounted Messenger and the Stage Coach", Liechtenstein: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Liechtensteinsche Post has issued two stamps of the value of CHF 1.50 each on the theme of Ancient Postal Routes: Date of Stamp set issue: 02.03.2020

24) "Ancient Postal Routes - Via di Zenta", Montenegro: EUROPA 2020 Theme: "Posta Cern Gore (Montenegro Post) has issued a postage stamp of 0.95 Euro: Stamp issue date: 09.03.2020

25) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships "Prince Maximilian" & "Archiduco Ludovico" - 19th Century ", Greece: Hellenic Post (Greek Post) has issued two postage stamps in the denominations of 2.00 Euro and 4.50 Euro depicting the two maritime Postal Ships: Date ofStamp set issue: 08.05.2020

26) Ancient Postal Routes, Portugal: EUROPA 2020 Theme: CTT or CORREIOS de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) has brought out three Postage stamps of the values of 0.86 Euro each on the theme: Stamp set issue date: 25.05.2020

27) Ancient Postal Routes, Azores (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 Euro each issued by Correios, (Portugal Post) on behalf of Azores: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020

28) Ancient Postal Routes, Madeira (An Autonomous Region of Portugal): EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two Stamps of 0.86 each issued by CTT or "CORREIOS de Portugal" (Portuguese Post) on behalf of Madeira: Date of Stamps issue: 25.05.2020</sup></sub>

Interesting links to posts on Portugal and Spanish Coins and 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) 500th Anniversary of the "First Circum-navigational Voyage" by Magalhaes - El Cano (Magellan - El Cano) Expedition: Portugal-Spain Joint Philatelic Issue: Stamp issue date: 12.09.2019

8) "The Firebird", Principality of Andorra (Principat d' Andorra), Spain: A 0.70 Euro postage Stamp dedicated to the Russian community in Andorra: Stamp issue date: 30.10.2019

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

10) Machu Picchu: "Wonders of the Modern World". A 1.35 Euro Stamp brought out by Correos Post, (Spanish Post) on 15.09.2017

11) Petra, Jordan: "Wonders of the Modern World Stamp Series" begun in 2015: A Stamp issued by Correos Post (Spanish Post) of the tariff value of "C" Class: Stamp issue date: 14.01.2020

12) 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

13) Charming Towns, Spain : For the past five years, Correos (Spanish Post) has issued Stamps and Postcards on four beautiful Spanish villages as old-fashioned accordion-style postcards: Date of PostCards/Stamp set issue: 30.03.2020

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

1) India-Portugal: Joint Stamp issue: A set of two Commemorative Stamps in the denominations of 2500 Paise or Rs.25/- and 500 Paise or Rs.5/- brought out by India Post on 07.01.2017

2) Did you Know Series (15): A visit to Fort St. George Museum, Chennai (Part III): i) Indo-Danish Coins ii) Indo-Dutch Coins iii) Indo-French Coins iv) Indo-Portuguese Coins

3) "Four Leaf Clover": Endangered Flora Species: A Silver Proof 5 Euro Coin and a Brilliant Uncirculated Cupro-Nickel Coin issued by the Impresa Nacional Casa de Moneda (INCA) in September 2018

4) 500th Anniversary of the "First Circum-navigational Voyage" by Magalhaes - El Cano (Magellan - El Cano) Expedition: Portugal-Spain Joint Philatelic Issue: Stamp issue date: 12.09.2019

5) "The Joker", Portugal: Portugal Post has issued a set of four stamps featuring "The Joker"character of DC Comics, who is an archenemy of the "Batman": Date of Stamp issue: 31.03.2020

6) Portuguese Numismatics (1st Group): A set of four Stamps in the values of N20g, A20g, E20g and 120g issued by CTT Correios (Portuguese Post) in partnership with INCM ("Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (the "Portuguese Mint & Official Printing Office") depicting coins from various periods of history: Date od Stamp set issue: 22.04.2020