The 2 cents of the 1950 Summer Stamps

We will stay with the 1950 Summer stamps for a little while longer. Following the blog post about the first FDC of the Netherlands, here is the story behind the 2-cent (2-cent surcharge) issue. In the NVPH catalogue, the description for number 550 reads: Fragment of the PTT Resistance monument in The Hague. Do you know the location of the monument and who the designer is? How did this stamp come about? The design of this 6th stamp differs from the other 5 stamps.

Summer Stamps 1950

In August 1945, the Department of Aesthetic Design (DEV) was established at the PTT. In March 1949, aesthetic advisor WG Gouwe proposed the theme for 1950: reconstruction. After all, it had been five years since the end of World War II. The series was originally intended to consist of five stamps with subjects including the repair of the dikes, Rotterdam rebuilding, the harvest in the Wieringermeer, the repair of the bridges, and the transport sector focusing on inland shipping.

The Director-General of the Postal Service agreed to this proposal but felt an important theme was still missing: the spiritual element. The five chosen topics focused on material reconstruction.  

Summer stamps 1950: 2 + 2 cents

Advisor Gouwe came up with the idea of ​​using the statue of the fallen PTT employees by Hildo Krop. The monument was not yet finished at the time. In October 1949, the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Education, Arts and Science received the final proposal for a series of 6 stamps instead of 5. They were 'not amused' by this change. The sixth stamp has a different atmosphere than the other five stamps. This stamp also received the lowest value of 2 cents and a 2 cent surcharge. It did not really fit with the rest of the series. Ultimately, it was executed anyway. The designer of the stamps is the illustrator Frans Lammers, who made use of photography. The unfinished statue was used for this PTT monument.

 

 

 

Number of copies sold, 2 cents and 2 cent surcharge: 718.953 copies.  

PTT Resistance Monument in The Hague

If you travel to The Hague, look up Nassauplein. Nassauplein is a long rectangular square in the Archipelbuurt with only 43 house numbers. There was originally a canal, but it was covered over in 1883. In the early 20th century, the water was filled in. A small section remains covered, and water from the Haagse Beek flows from the final part of Nassauplein under the Javastraat intersection. With a small waterfall, the brook emerges into Willemspark and from there into the Singelgracht. Most of the houses are built in the monumental eclectic style of the 19th century. Some are privately owned and inhabited. The embassies of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia are located on this square, as well as the Dutch-German Chamber of Commerce.

Two monuments stand on Nassauplein: Monument for the PTT Employees (Hildo Krop) and Monument De Wachter (Shinkichi Tajiri. Monument for the PTT employees The oldest monument is a war memorial made of white natural stone, designed by Hildo Krop. The monument is called 'Central Monument for Fallen PTT Employees' and was unveiled on May 4, 1950, by Mr. L. Neher, Director-General of the PTT. The monument is a column crowned with a capital depicting Saint George and the dragon. The story of Saint George and the dragon is an early Christian legend from the fifth century. Since the eleventh century, this tale has symbolized the struggle between good and evil. A statue of a standing male figure is placed on the capital, the personification of resurrection. At the foot of the column is a sculptural group of a reclining female and male figure; they symbolize the war victims. Anatomically speaking, the monument is not entirely correct. The artist mistakenly provided the reclining female figure with two right hands. The statue expresses the victory over the occupier. The text on the front of the pedestal reads: Many fell – as defenseless as stalks before a scythe A few stood – and sang, sang an old tune The ancient melody – of freedom, vibrating in every living heart. The text on the back of the pedestal reads: Established in memory of the workers of the PTT company who fell during the war years 1940-1945.   Source used:  

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Hildo Krop Museum: https://www.hildokropmuseum.nl/ Previous World War II blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/tweede-wereldoorlog/