Memories of the First World War in Belgium (part 3)

During the First World War, Belgium suffered hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded. To raise funds for the disabled, campaigns were undertaken, including the issuance of a surcharge stamp. The proceeds were intended for the National Work for War Invalids. The stamp was designed by Anto Carte and printed by the American Bank Note Company in New York. A total of 584.041 stamps were sold. A special envelope was also available with the text: ´Cette enveloppe est vendue aux bénéfice de l´Oeuvre Asiles des Soldats Invalides Belges´. The issue date was May 20, 1922, and its validity for postage ended on January 15, 1923. A year later, on July 5, 1923, a new stamp with a surcharge was issued. The proceeds were once again designated for the National Work for War Invalids. The stamp was designed by L. Ramaekers and printed by the American Bank Note Company in New York. A total of 404.827 stamps were sold, fewer than with the first issue in 1922. Its validity for postage ended on April 30, 1924.Two stamps with a surcharge were issued on August 4, 1932. The stamps could only be purchased by subscription during the period from August 4, 1932, to March 31, 1933. The surcharge was intended for the erection of a memorial as a tribute to the Infantry. The design was created by the painter Armand Massonet, born in 1892. During the First World War, he was assigned to the medical troops and served as a hospital soldier. During his service, he made many drawings of scenes at the front and the extensive destruction in villages, towns, and the countryside. The drawing was converted into an engraving for intaglio printing by Jan de Bast. 40.000 copies of each denomination were sold from the series. The end of validity for postage was set for April 1, 1933. On February 17, 1938, a stamp with a surcharge was issued in a block for the erection of a memorial to King Albert I. This monument was to be built in Nieuwpoort. The stamp depicts a scale model of the monument to be constructed.The monument features a statue of King Albert I on horseback. It stands just outside the city center, on the right bank of the small river Yser, near the Ganzepoot lock complex. The monument was designed by Julien de Ridder. It has a diameter of 30 meters. The equestrian statue is the work of Karel Aubroeck. King Albert I is depicted as the second image on the stamp. This image was originally designed by Jean De Bast based on a 1917 photograph taken by London journalist Speaigt for the 'King Albert I with Helmet' stamp series issued from July 1919. Nevertheless, a difference can be seen between the image on the 1919 stamp and the image on the stamp from the 1938 block. Two years after the issuance of the block, which had a print run of 205.090 copies, the Second World War would break out.