1421) 300 Years of the Foundation of Royal Academy of History (1720-2020), Portugal: Two Single Stamps of 0.53 Euro & 1.00 Euro and one stamp of 2.00 Euro contained on the Miniature sheet (MS) issued by CTT or Correios de Portugal (Portuguese Post): Date of Stamps issue: 22.06.2020:

1421) 300 Years of the Foundation of Royal Academy of History (1720-2020), Portugal: Two Single Stamps of 0.53 Euro & 1.00 Euro and one stamp of 2.00 Euro contained on the Miniature sheet (MS) issued by CTT or Correios de Portugal (Portuguese Post): Date of Stamps issue: 22.06.2020:

The Royal Academy of Portuguese History is which is celebrating its third centennial this year (1720-2020)  was founded on 08.12.1720 as a response to requests of various scholars for King Joao V to become the institution's patron and protector.

Emerging in a climate favourable to the arts and letters, subjects that were widely discussed and investigated in other private Academies at the time, the King relied from the beginning on the work of Manuel Caetano de Sousa, a Theatine cleric who developed the primary organisational lines of the Academy, alongside other figures of culture and erudition who had founded or participated in several other "minor" academies - the Marquis of Alegrete, Fernao Telles da Silva, the Count of Ericeira, Francisco Xavier de Meneses, the Count of Villamayor, Manuel Teles da Silva, Martinho de Mendonca de Pina e Proenca and Antonio Caetano de Sousa.

Following the Academy's foundation, a council presided by Manuel Caetano de Sousa was appointed, with the Count of Villamayor as his secretary.

On 22.12.1720, statutes divided in ten chapters were approved, in which, besides details regarding organisation and the Academy's fifty members, it was determined that -

"The Academy will have its own Seal and Purpose.... the Seal will consist of the Royal Coat of Arms, under which will appear the figure of Time imprisoned in chains, surrounded by the motto:- Sigillum Regiae Academiae Historiae Lusitanae. The Purpose will be depicted by the goddess Veritas, as the ancient Romans had represented her, with the phrase - Restituet omnia."

The Academy's first objective was the elaboration of the "Historia Ecclesiastica destes Reynos e depois tudo o que pertencer a toda a Historia delles e de suas conquistas" (meaning "The Ecclesiastical History of these Kingdoms and all that pertains to their history and conquests").

This work was to follow a certain method, without which it could not be accepted as scientific, thus positioning the Royal Academy at the origins of scientific history.

For this purpose, the priority of "gathering manuscripts" and "summoning writers" was taken up and Royal protection was decisive, "because without it, Archives are not opened, nor is what can be found in them discovered".

Throughout the sessions of the Royal Academy, which featured the contributions of the scholars, questioning, doubt and debate flourished.  While none of the Histories was ever definitively completed, there can be no doubt about the substantial endeavour of those pioneering scholars - brought out in letters, catalogues, notebooks and papers handed over for analysis to the censors.

Most of the documents were printed at the time, while others awaited further treatment and were used when Father Luis Cardoso organised the so-called "Parish Memoirs".

The Institution also grew with the help of royal protection in the form of rents, favours and facilities, such as free entry into the Archives and the responsibility given to the Academy for the Defence and Conservation of Ancient Monuments.

The activity of the Royal Academy was maintained with great dynamism for over half a century. Founded to promote the writing of History, the Royal Academy also played a fundamental role as a publisher, with the privilege of having its own dedicated censors.

Its last public act took place in 1777, when, aswas the tradition an address was made on behalf of the Academy to Queen Maria on her birthday.

While falling into a period of decline from then on, the academy was not definitively extinguished. 

After a period of interruption lasting 150 years, the Royal Academy of Portuguese History was reborn on 19.05.1936.

The Stamps:

 The Two Stamps issued in the set titled "300 ANOS FUNDACAO DA ACADEMIA REAL DA HISTORIA" ("300 Years of the Foundation of the Royal Academy of History). The Stamp values are - 0.53 Euro & 1.00 Euro

 The First Day Cover (FDC) issued on the occasion. The FDC is titled "300 ANOS FUNDACAO DA ACADEMIA REAL DA HISTORIA". 

At top right are affixed the two postage stamps issued in the set (0.53 Euro & 1.00 Euro).

The special cancellation Handstamp/Postmark bears the inscription "300 ANOS FUNDACAODA ACADEMIA REAL DA HISTORIA" in the centre. The Cancellation is of CTT Lisbon and is dated "22.06.2020".

The Miniature Sheet (MS) bears the logo of the Academy and on a scroll above held by cherubs, is inscribed - "ACADEMIA PORTUGUESE DA HISTORIA" (Academy of Portuguese History").

A First Day Cover (FDC) bearing a Cancelled Miniature Sheet (MS). The MS bears a stamp of 2.00 Euros.

An Information Brochure (IB) giving details of the Academy in Portuguese and bearing the three stamps issued in the set (two single stamps of 0.53 Euro & 1.0 Euro) and one on the Miniature Sheet (of the value of 2.00 Euros).

Technical Details:

Stamp issue date: 22.06.2020

Designer: Atelier B2 Design

Illustrator: Nuno Delicias

Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France

Process: Offset

Stamp Size(s): 80.00 mm x 60.00 mm

Stamp Values: 0.50 Euro & 1.00 Euro

Links to interesting 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

14) "International LGBTQ Pride Day", Spain: The LGBTQ Pride Day Flag (Rainbow Flag) depicted on the first ever stamp issued: Date of Stamp issued: 15.06.2020

15) "Card Games", Spain: Correos Espana (Spanish Post) has issued a Stamp Sheet of 3.80 Euros representing the four suits (Swords, Pentacles, Cups & Wands) in a Tarot Deck, as the Origins of Card Games: Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 02.07.2020

16) A Graphic Humour Stamp by cartoonist Ricardo Martinez-RICARDO, Spain: Correos Espana (Spanish Post) has brought out this stamp of 5.45 Euros depicting a cartoon of a rhinoceros with a post/letter-box in place of its horn: Date of Stamp issue: 02.07.2020

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

_{^{7) 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}}

_{^{8) 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}}

_{^{9) 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}}

_{^{10) 300 Years of the Foundation of Royal Academy of History (1720-2020), Portugal: Two Single Stamps of 0.53 Euro & 1.00 Euro and one stamp of 2.00 Euro contained on the Miniature Sheet (MS) issued by CTT or Correios de Portugal (Portuguese Post): Date of Stamps issue: 22.06.2020}}