1898) "Kaleidoscope", Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a Stamp Sheetlet of six stamps marked "Internationaal 1": Date of Stamp Sheetlet issue: 14.09.2020:

1898) "Kaleidoscope", Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a Stamp Sheetlet of six stamps marked "Internationaal 1": Date of Stamp Sheetlet issue: 14.09.2020:

On 14.09.2020, PostNL released the Kaleidoscope stamp Sheetlet of six stamps marked with ‘Internationaal 1’. 

About what led to the Kaleidoscope design on this stamp sheetlet:

The stamp sheetlet was designed by the graphic designer Hansje van Halem from Amsterdam, winner of the 2018 Dutch Design Award for Communication. 

The issue of Kaleidoscope is part of a new series for which PostNL gives winners of prestigious design competitions free reign to design a number of stamps. They can use their own interests for inspiration, as well as anything that intrigues and influences them. In other words, their personal passions play a leading role in designing these stamps.

The first issue in this series was “Gewoontjes”, issued on 19.08.2019 and designed by Michiel Schuurman, winner of the 2017 Dutch Design Award for Communication. 

The Kaleidoscope stamps are marked ‘Internationaal 1', the denomination for items up to 20g in weight destined for delivery outside of the Netherlands.

About the Kaleidoscope Effect:

The Kaleidoscopic Effect of reflected light has been described since time immemorial. 

In more recent times, many people experimented with methods and devices to recreate this effect in a controlled manner, with varying degrees of success.

 The Kaleidoscope, as we know it, was invented at the beginning of the 19th Century by the Scottish physicist  David Brewster (1781-1868). The patent was granted in 1917. 

Brewster came up with the word Kaleidoscope himself, based on the Greek "kalos" (beautiful), "eidos" (shape) and "skopein" (look). 

The Kaleidoscopic effect is created by allowing light to reflect on colourful objects through a tube lined with mirrors. 

One can change the multicoloured symmetrical patterns that are created in this way by shaking the tube. 

This creates optical illusions, meaning our eyes are deceiving our brain. 

Since Brewster’s invention, the Kaleidoscope has been used for numerous purposes: it is a toy for children, entertainment for adults, and a source of inspiration for artists, jewellers, architects and anyone involved in embellishment and decoration.

The Six Stamp Sheetlet depicting the effects of a Kaleidoscope.

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows the Kaleidoscope effect at left. At right is affixed the six stamp Sheetlet marked "Internationaal 1".

The special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark is of The Hague Post Office and is dated "14.09.2020".

The Presentation Pack (PP) titled "Caleidoscoop" (in Dutch).

Technical details: 

Issue Date: 14.09.2020

Designer: Hansje van Halem, Amsterdam

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

Process: Offset

Colours: 4 Colours

No. of Stamps per Sheetlet: Six

Sheet Size: 108.0 mm  x 150.0 mm

Typically Dutch Postage Stamp Series "House Types & facades":

1) The "stolpboerderij" - Bell-Jar Farms, Netherlands: The latest stamp in the "Typically Dutch Stamp Series" issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) focusses on house types and facades: Date of Stamp issue: 04.01.2021

2) Typically Dutch - "Wooden Houses," Netherlands: A Postage Stamp featuring two Worker's Houses are seen on a One Euro Stamp: Date of Stamp issue: 22.02.2021

3) "Canal Houses", Netherlands: "Typically Dutch" Postage Stamp Series: A postage stamp of 1.00 Euro issued by PostNL depicting Houses alongside the Canal System in Amsterdam, Netherlands: Date of Stamp issue: 22.03.2021

4) "Houseboats," Netherlands: Fourth Stamp in the Typically Dutch Postage Stamp Series' which focusses on "House types and facades thatare typical for the Netherlands": Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post): Date of Stamps issue: 06.04.2021

5) "Terraced Houses", Netherlands: Fifth Stamp in the "Typically Dutch Postage Stamp Series" which focusses on "HouseTypes and facades that are typical for the Netherlands": Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post): Date of Stamps issue: 14.06.2021

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

11) "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 of Stamp issue: 17.04.2020

12) 75th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), The Netherlands: A Coin-card set of three denominations of 0.50 Euros, 0.20 Euros and 0.05 Euros minted by the Royal Dutch Mint to celebrate the milestone: Year of Coin-card issue: 2020

13) "From Guilders to US Dollars", Caribbean Netherlands: A set of five Miniature Sheets issued by the FXDX Post which manages the Posts of Boniare, Sint Eustatius and Saba Islands in the Caribbean Sea, commemorate the switch over from the Netherlands Antillean Guiler to the US Dollar in 2011: Date of Stamps issue: 10.10.2020

14) Experience Nature - Dwingelderveld National Park, Netherlands: A set of 10 Postage Stamps brought out by PostNL (Netherlands Post) depicting the flora and fauna of the "Quitest Area in Netherlands": Date of Stamp set issue: 04.01.2021

15) The "stolpboerderij" - Bell-Jar Farms, Netherlands: The latest stamp in the "Typically Dutch Stamp Series" issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post) focusses on house types and facades: Date of Stamp issue: 04.01.2021

16) Tom and Jerry, Netherlands: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary milestone of the iconic Cartoon Characters by the Royal Dutch Mint by issue of Gold and Cupro-nickel medals: Year of Medal issue: 2020

17) "Rainforests" Netherlands: The second Coin in the "Our Earth Ecosystems Coin Series", minted by Numiscollect, a Dutch Mint highlighting the lush green Rainforest with its unique bio-diversity: Year of Coin issue: 2021

18) Experience Nature - De Onlanden Nature Reserve, Netherlands: A set of Stamps issued by Post NL (Netherlands Post) featuring the flora & Fauna of the Nature Reserve: Date of Stamp Set issue: 22.02.2021

19) Typically Dutch - "Wooden Houses," Netherlands: A Postage Stamp featuring two Worker's Houses are seen on a One Euro Stamp: Date of Stamp issue: 22.02.2021

20) ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis), Netherlands: The Royal Dutch Mint in coordination with the ALS Foundation Netherlands, has issued a 2 Euro Bi-metallic Coin for generating awareness on ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease: Year of Coin issue: 2021

21) "Sustainability" - Humankind's Common Future, Netherlands: PostNl (Netherlands Post) has issued stamps to highlight "Our Common Future", a United Nations Report: Date of Stamps issue: 22.03.2021

22) "Canal Houses", Netherlands: "Typically Dutch" Postage Stamp Series: A postage stamp of 1.00 Euro issued by PostNL depicting Houses alongside the Canal System in Amsterdam, Netherlands: Date of Stamp issue: 22.03.2021

23) "Houseboats," Netherlands: Fourth Stamp in the Typically Dutch Postage Stamp Series' which focusses on "House types and facades thatare typical for the Netherlands": Stamps issued by PostNL (Netherlands Post): Date of Stamps issue: 06.04.2021

24) Endangered National Wildlife, Netherlands: EUROPA - 2021: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a Souvenir Sheet featuring Critically Endangered National Wildlife - Bees: Date od Stamp sheet issue: 10.05.2021

25) "Experience Nature" - the Duin en Kruidberg Nature Reserve, Netherlands: A set of stamps issued by Posten Norge (Netherlands Post) depicting fruits and animals from tthe Nature Reserve: Date of Stamp Set issue: 14.06.2021

26) "Kaleidoscope", Netherlands: PostNL (Netherlands Post) has issued a Stamp Sheetlet of six stamps marked "Internationaal 1": Date of Stamp Sheetlet issue: 14.09.2020

Dutch Castles Coin Series:

1) "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

2) Heeswijk Castle, North Brabant, The Netherlands: The Second 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: Year of issue: 2020

3) Hoensbroek Castle, The Netherlands: The Third 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: Year of issue: 2020

4) Amsterdam Muiderslot Castle, The Netherlands: The fourth 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: Year of Coin issue: 2020

5) Loevestein Castle, The Netherlands: The Fifth 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: Year of issue: 2021

For other interesting posts on Belgium & Luxembourg Coins and Stamps:

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 

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, Luxembourg: Two Postage Stamps in the denominations of 0.80 Euro and 1.05 Euro issued by Post Lexembourg: Date of Stamps issued: 09.06.2020

9) 75 Years of the United Nations (UNO), Luxembourg: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by Post Luxembourg commemorating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 15.09.2020

10) "Circles in Nature", Belgium: "Geometry in Nature Postage stamp Series": Bpost (Belgian Post) has brought out the fourth set of Stamps in this Series: StampSet issue Date: 25.01.2021

11) Leading Ladies in Comic Books, Belgium: A set of postage stamps brought out by Bpost (Belgian Post) highlighting five leading ladies - Bianca Castiofore, Miss Jannie, Natacha, Yoka Tsuno and Aunt Sidonia: Date of Stamp Set issue: 25.01.2021

12) BEER Fest/Culture recognised by UNESCO in Belgium: 5th Anniversary Celebrations (2016-2021): Brass 2.5 Euro Collector Coins issued to commemorate Belgian Beer Culture as "Intangible Heritage": Date of Coin issue: 25.02.2021

Some other interesting Posts from Finland, Norway, Greenland, Aland, Faroe Islands & 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

17) "Research, Innovation and Technology -The Brain's GPS System", Norway: A set of two stamps of 20g each, issued by Posten Norge (Norwegian Post): Date of Stamps issue: 17.09.2020

18) "Flower Garden", Finland: Posti Group Oyj (Finland Post) has issued two no value indicator stamps which feature an abundance of flowers: Date of Stamp Set issue: 20.01.2021

19) "The Blue Reflection", Finland: A No-value indicator Stamp brought out by "Posti" (Finland Post) featuring half the Finnish Flagreflected on a frozen lake: Date of Stamp issue: 06.05.2020

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

21) "The Enchanted Forest", Finland: "Posti" (Finland Post) has issued two decorative No-value-indicator Stamps featuring figures from an Enchanted Forest: Date of Stamps issue: 06.05.2020

22) 150 Years of Postal History, Faroe Islands: Glimpses of Postal History - Two Anniversaries of the Evolution of Postverk Foroya (later "Posta"), the National Postal Service of the Faroe Islands: A set of three stamps of 17.0 DKK issued by Posta: Date of Stamp Set issue: 07.01.2021

23) The Eysturoy Tunnel, Faroe Islands: A set of two Stamps of the values of 10.0 DKK and 17.0 DKK issued by Postverk Foroya (Faroe Islands Post): Date of Stamps issue: 19.02.2021

24) "Lumpsucker" & the "Greenland Shark", Greenland: "Fish in Greenlandic Waters Postage Stamp Series": Two Stamps of the total values of 42.00 DKK (one of 14.00 DKK & the other of 28.00 DKK) issued by Greenland Post: Date of Stamp Set issue: 22.02.2021

25) The Dovre Railway Line Centenary (1921-2021), Norway: Posteg Norge (Norwegian Post) has commemorated the Centenary of the iconic Railway Line by issue of two Stamps: Date of Stamps issue: 23.04.2021

26) "Endangered National Wildlife", Norway: EUROPA - 2021: Posten Norge (Norwegian Post) has issued a set of two Stamps of the values of 20g each. featuring critically Endangered Norwegian Wildlife - The Bumblebee and The Puffin Bird respectively: Date of Stamp set issue: 23.04.2021

27) "Endangered National Wildlife", Finland: EUROPA-2021: Posti (Finland Post has issued a set of three stamps featuring critically Endangered Finnish Wildlife - The Kingfisher Bird, Apollo Butterfly and The Siberian Flying Squirrel: Date of Stamp Set issue: 28.04.2021

28) "Endangered National Wildlife", Faroe Islands: EUROPA - 2021: Postverk Foroya or Posta (Faroe Islands Post) has issued a set of two Stamps featuring critically Endangered National Wildlife of the Faroe Islands - the Puffin (17.00 DKK & 27.00 DKK): Date od Stamp set issue: 26.04.2021

29) World Ocean Day - 2021, United Nations Organisation (UN): The second virtual Ocean Day celebrated by the UN on 08.06.2021

30) Domesticated Animals, Norway: "Posten Norge" (Norwegian Post) has issued a set of two stamps featuring "Molly the calf" anda "Domesticated Pig" also marked EUROPA Stamps, in addition, to Norway's EUROPA Stamps featuring the "Bumblebee" & "The Puffin": Date of Stamp issue: 11.06.2021