Memories of the First World War in Belgium (part 2)

The First World War had caused a great deal of damage in Belgium. At the time of the liberation in November 1918, the country lacked every conceivable item. This included postage stamps. Initially, if one wished to send a parcel, letter, or card, one could pay in cash at the counter, after which the indication 'postage paid' was affixed to the postal item. It was not until July 1919 that normal postal life resumed. The Belgian Post naturally needed stamps quickly, and the Dutch printer, Joh. Enschedé & Zonen in Haarlem, was commissioned to design and print a 'liberation stamp'. Engraver H. Segers executed the design. The image chosen was the 'perron' in Liège. This perron has nothing to do with a railway station. The name is the French word for 'perron', a stone column topped with an orb and a cross above that. Perron is derived from pierre and essentially means 'large stone'. It was a typical sight in several cities of the former Principality of Liège. The platform is the symbol of freedom, autonomy, and justice. The monument stood on the site where justice was administered. There is also a platform in Maastricht. The first edition of the stamp was printed in sheets of 10. Only 500 sheets were put into circulation starting July 19, 1919. The second edition was printed in sheets of 100 stamps. This edition was made available starting July 27, 1919. The stamps from the sheet of 10 and the sheets of 100 can be clearly distinguished. The size of the stamp from the sheet is 18½ x 28 centimeters, and that of the large sheet is 18¼ x 28½ centimeters, thus a slightly larger size. Simultaneously with the commission for the liberation stamp, a series of 14 stamps was gradually put into circulation. The series depicting 'His Majesty King Albert I with helmet' was designed by Jean De Bast based on a photograph taken in 1917 by London journalist Speaigt. The engraving was produced by Hebri Cheffer from Paris. The values ​​ranged from 1 cent up to and including 10 francs. The image of 'King Albert I with helmet' was also used for the notepad that appeared on February 17, 1938, featuring the memorial in Nieuwpoort. See part three for more information.