Prestige Booklets Netherlands 1st half of 2025 (numbers 116 to 119)

Netherlands Prestige Booklets. Who collects them starting from issue PR1 Collecting? Or do you count from PRA The Star Book (1999)? The contents of the prestige booklet are the same stamps as the issued sheet, with extra background information. Comparable to the pro-fil sheets (no. 1 was issued for the Red Cross stamps of 1983). Last issue? Was that no. 125 (1996 issues)? In this blog, a brief description of the four published prestige booklets no. 116 through 119.

 750 years of Amsterdam (#116)

Content:

• Amsterdam leaves no one cold
• A year-long party
• The earliest history
• The Palace on Dam Square
• A dam in the Amstel
• Lead over other cities
• The 'mother trade'
• The oldest city map
• The Golden Age
• From 60.000 to 200.000 inhabitants
• A bustling metropolis
• The Jordan
• Scholars from all corners of the world
• Flourishing arts (oa Rembrandt)
• The shine fades
• An 'ideal residential area'
• The city is getting back on its feet.
• The twentieth century
• Provos, hippies and squatters
• 160 coffee shops
• A bubbling melting pot
• Amsterdam Forever

 

Roman Giants (#117)

Content:

• Reading enriches your life
• The Roman Giants project
• Kader Abdolah, Abdelkader Benali, Peter Buwalda, Adriaan van Dis, Jessica Durlacher, Bregje Hofstede, Mensje van Keulen, Astrid Roemer, Manon Uphoff and Tommy Wieringa (short CV and key titles)

 

Dorestad Fibula (#118)

The stamps in the booklet have different perforations than the stamps from the sheet of 6. It is also a PostEurop issue. Contents: Dorestad Fibula and other highlights of Dutch excavations. Viewing tip at RMO Leiden, through September 7, 2025, Above Ground Level (highly recommended!): https://www.rmo.nl/tentoonstellingen/tijdelijke-tentoonstellingen/boven-het-maaiveld/  

Camping in the Netherlands (#119)

Content:

• I'd still prefer the campsite, only if I have to.
• The history of camping (3x)
• 2600 campsites, the oldest campsite
• From camping to glamping
• The largest club in the Netherlands (ANWB, 5 million members)
• 317 million vacation days
• Pleasure seekers and peace seekers
• A true caravan country
• Eco camping
• Camping in a tree tent
• Still very popular

 

Additional information

The Dorestad Fibula prestige booklet (#118) is no longer available to order from the Collectclub (PostNL). Sold out due to the PostEurop theme and different perforations compared to the stamps on the sheet of 6. So go to a retailer if you need it. I find the Camping in the Netherlands prestige booklet (#119) very successful in terms of readability and the accessibility of the subject.