Automatic lane from Indonesia

Indonesia stamps
Indonesian postOn October 3, 1994, the Indonesian Post Office decided, following the example of many other countries, to introduce franking machines that could be operated by customers themselves. By chance, I got my hands on a 'first-day envelope' with a self-adhesive vending machine strip stuck to it. fdc-1994-938.jpg Not particularly special, but the image on the strip caught my attention. What kind of building is this? Below the image it states: Sate Building, Bandung. The translation? The Sate Building. Why this name? It is actually a nickname for this building designed by the Dutch architect J. Gerber in 1917. Gerber died in Bussum in 1949. strook-1994-939.jpg   sate-building-1994-940.jpg Gerber was employed by the Government of the Dutch East Indies as a construction supervisor. Later, he became Director of Municipal Works in Bussum. He designed the water tower in Sommelsdijk, a tower with a striking spire! The same goes for the spire of Gedung Sate. It resembles a satay stick. sommelsdijk-1941.jpg gedung-sate-a.jpg This stick is clearly visible in the photo. With six pieces of satay on it. The more pieces, the more prestige and wealth this represented. For each piece represented one million guilders. The building had cost six million guilders. The building has become a tourist attraction. It was constructed in 1921 in the Neoclassical style. Concrete was used for the building's skeleton. That was the first time this had happened in Indonesia. When the building was completed, it was occupied by the Department of Government Enterprises, which had moved from Batavia. mountain-sate-1996-943.jpg mountain-sate-1996-945.jpg The building was later depicted on a 300 Rupiah stamp, issued on March 21, 1996. This stamp also appeared in a block, but now with a value of 1250 Rupiah. mountain-sate-1996-946.jpg Gedung Sate is now used by the Governor of West Java. During my wife's and my visit to beautiful Indonesia in 1996, we were received in this lovely building. A moment never to be forgotten. Do stamps also evoke fond memories for you?

Leave a comment

The time at which your response becomes visible may vary by language and take up to 24 hours.

guest post