December stamps 2017: identical December stamp twins (part 1)

The 2017 identical twin December stamps (2 x 10 self-adhesive stamps) were produced at the English printing company Walsall Security Printers in Wolverhampton in an edition of 4.700.000 sheets and in intaglio printing. The price is 0,73 euros per discount stamp, or 14,60 euros per sheet. The validity period of the 2017 December stamps is from 20 November through 9 January 2018 without additional postage.

December stamps 2017 – issue date 20 November 2017

Emission as a loose, cohesive whole

Without background information, the ten images of the new, colorful, and detailed 2017 December stamps will be viewed, interpreted, and dismissed as a disjointed and meaningless series of stamps.

Interpretation and imagination/symbolization of 'Christmas stories'

1. Famous Dutch people As soon as it is known to you that a dozen Dutch celebrities from the television and show business world

• their personal and colorful story,
• related to Christmas (personal experiences/events during the Christmas holidays)
• have told ten young, talented designers, photographers, and illustrators,

an appealing and coherent connection immediately emerges between the stamps. 2. Allegory by unknown designers The as-yet-unknown designers of the 2017 December stamps make use of the literary stylistic concept of allegory for the stamp images. This is a symbolic representation of an abstract, non-visual concept such as carefree living, bliss, or domesticity (depicted in stamps 1, 4 & 6). It is used by the stamp designers to clarify what they understand by these abstract concepts.

Meetings and conversations

Ten artists drew inspiration for the design of each December stamp from personal encounters and individual conversations with Dutch celebrities. During these sessions, while enjoying coffee or a drink (often pleasantly at home or otherwise at work), emotions, memories, and anecdotes emerged. As a result, a cohesive connection (through quotes) was established between the new December stamps. “There is nothing contrived about it; it was very spontaneous,” says Martijn Nekoui of MOAM extension, a foundation that offers a platform to young creative talent.

Quotes from personal statements

1. Tim Hofman and Jesse Strikwerda Presenter Tim Hoffman“To me, Christmas means the 80s. Every year we play music from that era. It represents the carefree nature of my youth.” The illustrator’s imagination Jesse Strikwerda: profile portrait of George Michael. George Michael is depicted with his cheerfully smiling expression and the white dots. With a smile, these dots illustrate / represent the magical background music, uninhibited freedom, debauchery, and carefree nature of the youthful Jesse Strikwerda. 2. Wendy van Dijk and Sella Molenaar Presenter Wendy van Dijk: “My Christmas is light: the sun shines on all levels. We are celebrating Christmas in summery South Africa and I am surrounded by all my loved ones.” The imagination of the illustrator Sella Molenaar: swirling string of Christmas lights. The swirling string of Christmas lights is playfully 'draped' in the shape of a Christmas tree. In this case, the part (its shape) represents the larger whole, namely the Christmas tree. 3. Tineke Schouten and Jessica Nielsen Cabaretière Tineke Schouten: “I am celebrating the holidays with my daughter and the children in Miami, so we are going to an American church service.” The imagination of a graphic designer Jessica Nielsen: candle flame with a halo. For Jessica Nielsen, the halo of the burning candle in this context relates not only to Christmas, but also to the attractive and inviting atmosphere of an American church service. 4. Lieke van Lexmond and Loutje Hoekstra Actress & presenter Lieke van Lexmond“At the end of the year, I always look back on what has happened. In recent years, that has been a lot of beautiful things: I met the love of my life and Vik and Zef were born.” The visualization of industrial designer Loutje Hoekstra: woman with stars. Pure bliss: Actress Lieke van Lexmond embraces three stars, representing her husband (whom she married in 2016) and both children Vik (2014) and Zef (2017). The portrait consists of a single continuous line.   5. Ruth Jacott and Adrian & Gidi Singer Ruth Jacott: “At Christmas, alongside Christmas songs, I always play gospel music. I draw a lot of strength and energy from it.” The imagination of photographers Adrian & Gidi: fork with treble clef and musical notes. For photographers Adrian & Gidi, the lively and playful arrangement of tuning fork, treble clef, and musical notes represents the hallmarks of gospel music: dynamics, rhythm, and power. 6. Anita Witzier and Nouchka Huijg Presenter Anita Witzier: “There is always a very simple old Christmas bell hanging in the Christmas tree, white with silver glitter, which belonged to my parents.” The imagination of a graphic designer Nouchka Huijg: Christmas bell with birds. A simple white Christmas bell with silver glitter belonging to Nouchka Huijg's parents, placed in the Christmas tree decorated with little birds, evokes the atmosphere of a cozy Christmas for her year after year. The allure of the Christmas spirit is strikingly depicted around the main subject (literally and figuratively). An ornithologist could not precisely identify the four fantasy birds decoratively placed in the Christmas greenery, unlike those in the children's stamp (NVPH 1275) with three great tits. The Christmas tree birds possess characteristics of a reed bunting, grey bunting, chiffchaff, and/or willow warbler. 7. Loretta Schrijver and Lieke van der Vorst Presenter Loretta Writer: “I am a true animal lover and therefore wish all animals a Merry Christmas.” The imagination of the illustrator Lieke van der Vorst: live turkey. The image of the live turkey symbolizes the animal life of, for example, deer, hare, and rabbit before Christmas. As a true animal lover, Lieke van der Vorst thereby shows her compassion and . . . pity for all these animals, which will be eaten during the Christmas dinner. 8. René and Natasja Froger and Anne Claire de Breij Singer René Froger & presenter Natasja Froger“At our house in the Jordaan, music was always played during the holidays. Everyone could sing, and pretty much all of us played the accordion.” The photographer’s imagination Anne Claire de Breij: Abstract pyramid-shaped Christmas tree with hands and accordion. Hands protrude through the holes of a highly stylized Christmas tree (in varied red). The hands of a child and an adult shake hands in the vicinity of the Christmas tree. The accordion player, presumed by the hand, plays a Christmas song in a festive manner, which corresponds entirely to the cheerful and upbeat atmosphere that Anne Claire de Brij heard and experienced in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam in the past. 9. Irene Moors and Emilie van Spronsen Presenter Irene Moors: “22 years ago, I went to Ameland with friends. We built our own Wham! house there, complete with spray cans of snow.” The imagination of the illustrator Emilie van Spronsen: champagne glasses with a winter painting. The celebration of Merry Christmas or the exchange of a toast to the New Year takes place in the foreground. The small painting hanging on the wall in the background, with the Wham house and the red-and-white-bordered lighthouse in the dunes, refers to Ameland. A literal depiction of a Christmas stay of friends on one of the Wadden Islands. A floating spray can in the air completes the text fragment. 10. Janny van der Heijden and Arjen Roos Culinary publicist Jane van der Heijden“At Christmas, there is always cake! My children get it from the best pastry chef. They leave the baking to me.” The imagination of a graphic designer Arjen Roos: Christmas cake with stars. A decorated Christmas cake with pudding sauce, holly with red berries, and a bow forms the highlight for Arjen Roos and the children every year at the conclusion of a cozy and atmospheric Christmas meal.

Part 2

Tomorrow, Part 2 will provide you with further information regarding, among other things, the 2017 December stamp sheet of ten stamps as an 'identical single' in combination with ten double Christmas greeting cards supporting the December stamps. Image: PostNL and B. Hylkema