Camping in the Netherlands: inventory of summer emissions

PostNL kicks off the summer holiday season on June 10, 2025, with the issuance of camping stamps. Featuring multicolored photographic illustrations of tents, caravans, and nature icons, the stamps pay tribute to the rich Dutch camping tradition. Special stamp issue The 'Camping in the Netherlands' stamp sheet cannot be compared to previous stamp issues regarding its overall execution for two reasons. 1) PostNL was not the initiator of this issue, but rather the design collective 'álleburen', comprising three creative employees. They presented their unconventional camping designs to PostNL employees, who immediately embraced them. Hence, this attention is drawn to the 'Camping in the Netherlands' issue. 2) The front of the stamp sheet features six self-adhesive cloud-shaped stamps with photos of camping equipment in an attractive rolling landscape. – The back of the stamp sheet includes a typical camping recipe for macaroni. – The postcard 'Beautiful Summer!' is attached to the stamp sheet with a perforation line. Behind the advertising text, a sign is displayed featuring humorous camping tips (including “Use binoculars only for their intended purpose” and “Bring your own toilet roll”) against a backdrop of a typical Dutch campsite. Issue details: graphic designers Joost Overbeek, Mirjam Verdonk & Saskia van Dam of design agency 'álleburen' from Arnhem, print run 100.000 sheets, issue date June 10, 2025, printer Joh. Enschedé BV from Haarlem. Six isolated stamps * Six fair-weather clouds seem to drift over a hilly campsite, where, using the collage method, camping equipment has been placed in cheerfully colored summer holiday locations on lawns, a sandy beach, and in swimming water. * The stamp stands out better in isolation than in the overall picture (just like a stamp on a letter/card). * Around the 'holiday homes,' chairs, parasols, a swimming pool, a flowerpot, a barbecue, a drying rack, and toys are arranged, among other things. * Striking is the absence of the holidaymaker. Only five people are depicted on four stamps. Judging by the toys, there is absolutely no sign of children! * The stamp sheet is richly provided with camping attributes. Somewhat resembling a sales point for caravans and tents with a small buying public. 1) In front of the caravan, a lady is lying on a sun lounger under a parasol. 2) In front of the mobile home, a couple is walking towards the viewer, communicating cheerfully. 3) The camper van is parked on the beach, while someone walks into the sea with a surfboard under their arm. 4) Bungalow tent with two flower boxes next to it. 5) A wheelchair user is driving towards the camper, with a drying rack with clothing items on the right. A noteworthy detail is that the designer Joost Overbeek *) is the user of this vehicle. 6) A number of small trekking tents varying in size, color, and shape. *) Joost Oosterbeek is the designer of the stamp sheet 'Dutch Delicacies' (nvph 3540/49). stamp sheet margin In accordance with the 1981 landscape summer stamps, which I featured on the stamp blog a few days ago, the division of sky and land (for ¼ and ¾ parts) is dominantly present on the sheet margin here as well. * A folding caravan and a picnic table stand on the hilly campsite. * A dog in the bushes (also visible at the bottom right as the campsite closure) guards the campsite in a lively manner together with a magpie (landed on the camper stamp) and a group of butterflies (center of the stamp sheet). * In the sky, a summer-like cloud formation is visible next to a flying seagull and a trio of kites (where are the children anyway?). A few modern windmills complete the contemporary view. Designer's closing remarks We rely mainly on fun, lightheartedness, silliness, and original approaches. Humor is an important stylistic device for us. We had a lot of fun ourselves when we made the stamp sheet.