Stamp Day 2026: “I would like to know . . .?”
In mid-October, a framed stamp will undoubtedly appear again, featuring the special annual focus on the stamp from the 2026 Stamp Day Issue. The guiding principle of this series is always to give a modern, contemporary, and understated look to a stamp that was issued years ago.
In this historical view of such stamps, there are clear stylistic differences in the design of the stamps compared to those of today. Reason or emotion still plays the leading role in the design of stamps.
I would like to know
Why is Stamp Issue Day so appealing?
Perhaps for the glorification of the stamp past?
Or are the variants thereof largely so calculatedly excellent?
Be that as it may, you easily return to the present with that.
That is why the variety makes Stamp Day so appealing to me!
To get straight to the point: “I ask for your special attention to design styles of stamps from earlier times that have been given a contemporary look. In doing so, I am basing this on the 1923 issue with the characterization lacking in substance in the Special Catalogue 'Diverse Pro-stellingen' (nvph 110/13).”
Three multifaceted stamps with the two similarly executed preliminary designs of the actual stamp.
In the meantime, one design from this series has already been given a modern makeover: the 4-cent 'diamond-shaped value numeral stamp' for Stamp Day 2023, in a cohesive framed stamp version with a color difference. Whether both preliminary designs by graphic designer NJ van de Vecht played a role in the realization of Stamp Day 2023 will undoubtedly remain unanswered.
Contrast between intellectually and emotionally designed stamps
The remark 'excellently calculated' in the song 'Ik zou wel eens willen weten' (Jules de Korte [1924 – 1996]) as the introduction to this article refers primarily to both diamond-cut preliminary designs of the blue 4 cent stamp.
This highly intellectual, calculated, and detail-laden stamp is the opposite of the blue and orange stamp by designer M. de Klerk. The Dutch lion with a sword in a basket is excessively 'protected' and surrounded by a tree with oranges. With this, the designer refers to the reign / struggle of William of Orange and other members of the House of Orange.
The drawing of the detailed blue 1 cent and orange 2 cent stamp is particularly difficult to interpret, in contrast to the image of it colored by me. The preliminary design also reveals a more easily interpretable design of a tree and an enclosed lion with a sword.
With the colored and therefore clearer version of the 'The Lion in the Dutch Garden' stamp, it would be great fun to see what this stamp would look like in a modern version of a Stamp Day.
Indeed, just a little more patience. Unfortunately, the 2026 Day of the Stamp will not appear in framed format until mid-October.
I would like to know
I would like to know on which historical stamp the new Stamp Edition Day will fall this year? Whether on a rationally calculated design of an older stamp as an image, or on a stamp design based on emotion.
Perhaps it is the lion in the Dutch garden by graphic designer De Klerk from the 1923 issue. The designer allowed feeling and fantasy to dominate here when drawing/designing both allegorical stamps. The stamps must be viewed, explained, and understood in a figurative sense. Indeed, we must wait patiently for a while longer for the final announcement of the issue.
The lion in the Dutch garden
The lion in the Dutch garden (actually Dutch land) symbolizes the Dutch state in an allegorical comparative sense with its security, sovereignty, and freedom. This motif was particularly popular during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) against the Spanish domination of our country, which was then known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
The woven fence represents the territory of the Netherlands as an enclosed, safe, and impregnable place. It indicates that the borders are protected against foreign intruders and that one can live within them in peace and freedom.
The heraldic Dutch lion with sword stands (in accordance with 17th-century imagery of the Golden Age) within this enclosure, which symbolizes the armed forces, government, and independence of our country.
Written in: Dutch
I would like to know why Stamp Day has disappeared from the official issuance program? I would like to know why the Delft Blue stamp is included in the official issuance program? I would like to know why so many beautiful issues disappear from the official issuance program, yet are issued as basic framed stamps? I would like to know if PostNL understands what collectors actually want? Or does the traditional collector no longer exist?
Written in: Dutch
8k would like to know that too, Willem.
Written in: Dutch
I completely agree with you. I have been collecting for 68 years now, and I have seen beautiful and “ugly” stamps appear on the scene during those years. Apparently, people nowadays opt for cheaper printing and simpler stamps. It is a shame, because it could be so much more beautiful, with fine printing techniques. Apparently, it shouldn't cost much at all, and we see 'little works' appearing that, frankly, I loathe. But then again, the collection… So a sticker like that simply can't be missing!
People don't seem to realize that philately is picking up quite well among young people again. That apparently still needs to sink in. I keep hoping for better times…
Written in: Dutch
After discovering my father's album over 30 years ago and subsequently collecting stamps intermittently, I have recently dedicated myself to thematic collecting: children's stamps, birds, postage due stamps, and yes: Stamp Day. I see many questions passing by here from older people (I am 49 myself). When I leaf through a stamp album or a catalog, it is precisely the kind of thing that fascinates me to see how stamps change with the times, as a child of the times. An example: the children's stamps. From 1923 onwards, beautiful hand-drawn stamps; in 1931, suddenly a 'terrible' series using colored photographic techniques. I haven't looked it up yet, but it is undoubtedly a piece of new technology from that era.
The recent (far too extensive) bird issues show beautiful digital bird photos to me as a birder. So it really just depends on what you find beautiful as a collector.
In that regard, Stamp Issue Day should certainly continue to exist. And with current technology, it should surely be possible to issue stamps as beautiful as the Blue William. I am not pessimistic about stamp issues, but I certainly appreciate and share many of the critical remarks heard here.
Written in: Dutch
The Delta stamps can already be found on Marktplaats. A beautiful design! In my opinion, that is an example of how collectors want it.