3975) "Greetings" - Netherlands: "New Dutch Design Stamp Series: Second in the new Series of Stamps: Date/Year of Stamp sheet issue: 22.04.2025:
About New Dutch Design - Greetings:
On 22.04.2025, PostNL has released New Dutch Design - Greetings, the second stamp sheet in this new series.
The New Dutch Design series showcases the work of the next generation of Dutch graphic designers.
The stamps were designed during the 2023-2024 academic year by second-year Graphic Design students at ArtEZ in Zwolle, in collaboration with Nicole Uniquole.
The stamps bear the denomination “1” for mail up to 20 grams within the Netherlands.
The New Dutch Design series, a successor to the Typically Dutch series, is dedicated to the theme of “celebration,” expressed through colour and form.
After brainstorming the theme, the students decided to explore it by focusing on different rituals. The 22 April release features a sheet of 6 special stamps with 2 unique designs centred around the ritual of greetings.
Earlier this year, on 17 February, the first sheet in the New Dutch Design series was issued, focusing on coffee and tea rituals. Later this year, the series will include stamps on the rituals of making music (11 August) and dancing (22 September).
SUBJECT:
Greetings are an essential aspect of social interaction. The way people greet each other often depends on the context, social status, and physical distance between them. In the Netherlands, greeting rituals are typically informal, but nuances exist depending on the situation and the people involved.
Using greetings as a social ritual in the Netherlands reflects the country’s emphasis on egalitarian values. Exaggerated displays of politeness, such as kneeling or bowing—common in some other cultures—are rarely seen.
Instead, the Dutch focus on equality and practicality, which is evident in their greeting style: informal, direct, and straightforward.
One of the most common greetings in the Netherlands, both in formal and informal settings, is the handshake. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022), handshakes were strongly discouraged, leading to temporary alternatives such as fist bumps, nods, or elbow touches.
In more informal situations, such as among friends and family, giving kisses on the cheek is customary, particularly during special occasions or after a long absence. This practice typically involves women greeting each other or men and women exchanging kisses, while it is less common between men. However, this ritual varies by region and personal preference.
For a long time, giving three kisses was considered a deeply rooted tradition in the Netherlands. However, research indicates that this practice is becoming less common among younger generations, who are more likely to opt for one or two kisses or a simple hug.
DESIGN: The Stamp Sheet:
The New Dutch Design - greetings stamp sheet features 6 special stamps in a horizontal format with 2 distinct designs.
The 3 stamps on the left depict illustrations of figures greeting each other: a child petting an excited cat and two figures, seen from behind, embracing with their arms around one another.
The scarf of the figure on the right flutters in the wind and extends onto the 3 stamps on the right side of the sheet.
On these right-hand stamps, an illustration shows a side view of two figures embracing, with the figure on the right leaping into the arms of the figure on the left.
A few flowing lines on the stamps suggest a windy day, further emphasized by tree leaves swirling from one stamp to the next.
The colours used for the figures and their clothing are drawn from the palette for the entire New Dutch Design series.
The country designation “Nederland” and the year "2025" alternate between the left and right sides of the stamps.
The value indication “1” is placed in the bottom right or left corner, while the sorting mark is positioned in the top right or left corner.
On the sheet border, the illustration of the two embracing figures is repeated alongside the title of the issue.
The same illustration continues off the bottom left of the sheet. Against a beige background on the border, tree leaves and the wind lines reappear, tying the design together.
TYPOGRAPHY:
Two typefaces were used for the text on the New Dutch Design - greetings stamps.
The first is Vier, designed by Maureen Ketting in 2024 in collaboration with her fellow Graphic Design students at ArtEZ, University of the Arts, Zwolle, specifically for the New Dutch Design series.
The second is LTR Limited Grotesque, created in 2024 by type designer Erik van Blokland for LettError in The Hague.
Custom typeface:
To give the series a distinctive character, the grid team designed a custom typeface.
She had created a 4 x 4 grid to literally reflect the theme of ‘celebration’ in the dimensions.
The typeface features flowing shapes that seem to come together, just like people do when they gather to celebrate. That’s why the typeface was named Vier (‘Four’ in Dutch).
The second typeface, LTR Limited Grotesque by Dutch type designer Erik van Blokland, provides a playful counterbalance to the blocky forms of Maureen’s design.”
Sheet border guidelines:
The stamps feature the text “Nederland” and “2025” displayed vertically, alternating between the left and right sides.
Short Stories:
The four New Dutch Design releases this year each have their own unique character but are clearly connected, thanks to the grid team’s work and the shared colour palette.
A Collectible (C).
A First Day Cover (FDC)
Technical details:
Issue Date: 22.04.2025
Designer(s): Nicole Uniquole in collaboration with Chantal Idzerda, Famke Ruiter, Jolijn Bos, Lisa van den Broek, Maureen Ketting, Renée Wiersma, and Sylvana Versteege (students of Graphic Design at ArtEZ, University of the Arts, Zwolle)
Printer: Cartor Security Printers, Meaucé La Loupe, France
Process: Offset
Size: 40.00 mm x 30.00 mm
Values: 1
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