Netherlands Stamps
Commemoratives of 1948-1952
For commemorative Netherlands stamps, the big events of this period were the golden jubilee of a reigning monarch and the inauguration of a new monarch.
By late 1947, the health of the 67-year-old Queen Wilhelmina was
becoming increasingly worse, making it difficult for her to perform her
royal duties. Her daughter, Princess Juliana, assumed the role of
regent during late 1947. Queen Wilhelmina seriously considered
abdicating, but her daughter urged her to stay on the throne, so she
could celebrate the golden jubilee of her reign during September 1948.
The two commemorative Netherlands stamps shown above (NVPH #504-05, Sc. #302-03) were issued on August 30, 1948 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Wilhelmina.
On
September 4, 1948, five days after her Golden Jubilee celebration, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated, and her 39-year-old
daughter, Princess Juliana, ascended to the throne. The investiture
ceremony (inauguration) of Queen Juliana took place two days later, on September 6, 1948.
The two commemorative stamps shown above (NVPH #506-07, Sc. #304-05) were issued on September 7, 1948 to celebrate the Investiture of Queen Juliana on September 6, 1948.
The two Netherlands stamps shown above (NVPH #542-43, Sc. #323-24) were issued on October 1, 1949 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union.
The two Netherlands stamps shown above (NVPH #561-62, Sc. #328-29) were issued on October 3, 1950 to commemorate the 375th Anniversary of the founding of the University of Leyden, the oldest university in the Netherlands.
The university was founded by William, Prince of Orange (1533-1584), the leader of the Dutch Revolt during the Eighty Years War. The modern Dutch royal family and the university still have a close relationship. Queen Juliana, Queen Beatrix, and King Willem-Alexander are all former students of the university.
The 10 C. denomination features a portrait of Jan van der Does (1545-1604), a Dutch statesman, jurist, historian, poet, and philologist. He was also the first curator of the University of Leyden, an office which he held for 30 years.
The 20 C. denomination features a portrait of Jan van Hout (1542-1609), a Dutch humanist, translator, historian, and poet. He was also the town clerk of Leyden (1562-1609) and the secretary of the University of Leyden.
The four commemorative stamps shown above (NVPH #588-91, Sc. #332-35) were issued on June 28, 1952 to celebrate the Centenaries of Netherlands Postage Stamps and of the State Telegraph Service.
These stamps were on sale from June 28 through August 31, 1952, during the two centennial celebrations.
The colors and designs are as follows:
- 02 C. (Violet) - Telegraph poles and train of 1852.
- 06 C. (Vermilion) - Radio towers.
- 10 C. (Green) - Mail delivery in 1852.
- 20 C. (Grayish Blue) - Mail delivery in 1952.
The four special-issue stamps shown above (NVPH #592-95, Sc. #336-39) were also issued on June 28, 1952. They are identical to the other centenaries set issued at the same time, however the colors are different.
The colors and designs are as follows:
- 02 C. (Brown) - Telegraph poles and train of 1852.
- 06 C. (Bluish Green) - Radio towers.
- 10 C. (Dark Carmine) - Mail delivery in 1852.
- 20 C. (Violet Blue) - Mail delivery in 1952.
These stamps (in changed colors) were only on sale at the International Postage Stamp Centenary Exhibition,
held in Utrecht from June 28 through July 6, 1952. The stamps sold for
1.38 Gulden, which included the price of the admission ticket to the
international exhibition.
Due to the limited availability of this second centenaries set, they are now scarce, and unfortunately, expensive.
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Commemoratives of 1948-1952
Queen Wilhelmina
Golden Jubilee 1948
Queen Juliana
Investiture 1948
The 10 C. denomination stamp shown above (NVPH #582, Sc. #331) was issued on April 16, 1952 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of Netherlands State Mines.
The design features a miner with a drill.