More Efteling stamps

Efteling is a Dutch amusement park in Kaatsheuvel. Efteling is the largest (and one of the best-known) amusement park in the Netherlands and the third-largest amusement park in Europe. Only Disneyland Paris in France and Europa-Park in Germany are visited more frequently. A day at Efteling is therefore an annual experience for many Dutch families, although many foreign visitors include an overnight stay. Have you visited Efteling often with your children or grandchildren? And do you have Efteling stamps in your collection?

The Efteling

Efteling is an amusement park and recreation complex in Kaatsheuvel (North Brabant). In addition to the theme park, the entire World of Efteling includes a theater, two hotels, two holiday parks, and a golf park. Efteling is the largest amusement park in the Benelux in terms of visitor numbers and surface area. It is one of the most visited theme parks in Europe and, in 2017, was the third most visited amusement park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris in France and Europa-Park in Germany. In that year, 5,18 million people visited the park. In 2024, Efteling welcomed 5,6 million visits, with the number of individual visitors reaching 4,9 million. Efteling has been awarded various prizes. Since April 1, 2010, the park has been open all year round.

Anton Pieck is at the end 1951 by filmmaker Peter Reijnders involved in the creation of the Spookjesbos. He designed about ten fairy tales for the opening in 1952 and subsequently created at least another 1500 designs for, among other things, fairy tales, attractions, hospitality, squares, props, and book illustrations. Pieck continued to handle the design work at the Efteling until the mid-70s. From 1975 His work was taken over by Ton van de Ven. Pieck remained on as an advisor and continued to visit the park regularly until his death in 1987.

Commemorative stamps (= erinnophilia)) appeared in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Efteling in 1978The commemorative stamps were issued on March 26 under issue no. 22 Erinnofilie Nederland by the Bureau Herdenkingszegels in Vlaardingen. The proceeds from the sale of the stamps (including the first-day cover) benefited the Nationaal Jeugdfonds (Jantje Beton). Since these commemorative stamps are not postage stamps, they have no face value. However, they were used on balloon mail. On the occasion of the opening of the Haunted Castle on May 10 1978 The hot air balloon PH-HOT was launched from the Picnic Meadow. The balloonists, commander Kees Hoogstede and Loon van Tongeren from Ootmarsum, are taking a number of special commemorative envelopes with them. After landing, the envelopes will be presented at the nearest post office and stamped. For the occasion, a balloon letter was issued, featuring the three Efteling anniversary stamps, a balloon flight report, and return postage. The return postage used the Europa stamp designed by Anton Pieck, depicting Haarlem City Hall. The balloon departed at 18:10 and eventually landed in Berkel-Enschot half an hour later. The balloon flew 11,8 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 600 feet (180 m).   In 2012, ten years after the previous series, PostNL is issuing another set of stamps in collaboration with Efteling. This time, the set consists of three stamps featuring nostalgic images: the witch from the Heksenpoort in black and white, Langnek in color, and Kleine Boodschap, once again in black and white. Each stamp bears the text '60 Jaar Efteling'. The set comes in an envelope that also contains three postcards with different images of the same attractions, although Langnek is in black and white on these, while the other two are in color. A herald and the anniversary logo appear on the sheet surrounding the stamps. The background consists of a pattern of square images familiar from Zijn we d'r al?. The set costs €4,95. In 1955, 1974 and 1982 Pieck created illustrations for fairy tale books published by the Efteling: 'Het Efteling Sprookjesboek' and the books written by Martine Bijl, 'Sprookjes van de Efteling' and 'Anton Pieck en de wonderbaarlijke geschiedenis van de Efteling'. These titles are still available second-hand in bookstores or online. Source: Eftepedia.nl  

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Efteling: https://www.efteling.com/nl Winter Efteling: https://www.efteling.com/nl/park/events/winter-efteling Anton Pieck Museum in Hattem with permanent collection and temporary exhibitions: https://www.antonpieckmuseum.nl/ Long Neck exhibition through March 29, 2026: https://www.antonpieckmuseum.nl/langnek/ Previous Anton Pieck blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/anton-pieck/ Previous museum blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/made-in-holland/