For consideration: “Waking sleeping dogs!”

The slogan “A new year, a new beginning” certainly does not apply to stamp-collecting Nederland. In the first half of 2026, we are 'delighted' with 8 issues, totaling 59 stamps, 44 of which are different. The cost of these amounts to approximately 85 euros. Add to that the prestige booklets and stamp folders, and the collector will have spent a small fortune in the first six months of 2026 alone. This brings a moral obligation for PostNL into play: entering into dialogue with organized philately regarding the issuing policy. The expression 'To him who gives the finger, the hand will be taken' fits here alarmingly well. Described and substantiated in more detail a) Between both subchapters of the article 'Stamp issue program 2026 and new December stamp rates' from Tuesday, November 11 a contradiction exists, namely that between [1] PostNL stamp issuance programme 2026 and [2] the franking rate for ordinary mail and December mail for the consumer / stamp collector over the years. b) In [1], the volume of issues and stamps corresponds to many previous years, whereas in [2] there is an increasingly rising increase in franking prices combined with increasingly declining circulation figures for issues. In other words, in [1] there is stability, while in [2] there is both an increase and a decrease, thus an imbalance. c) Consequences? In [1] customer dissatisfaction: the collector does not see the necessity of the abundance of stamps in 2026 (the use of 2026 issues for franking will also be minimal again). He knows that a hobby may cost money, but also that he is not obliged to buy these stamps. However, he is increasingly convinced that the collector is being 'used' by PostNL. d) The vast majority of stamp sales take place centrally and distantly via subscriptions, causing interest in and involvement with stamps to decline. Mortality among elderly collectors exacerbates this decline even further. The stamp as a collectible is increasingly becoming a distant affair. The size of foreign subscribers will likely remain reasonably stable. The reason? Foreign postal services are less progressive than the Dutch. Consequently, collectors in these countries come into contact with less modern views and designs. The result is that collectors can continue their hobby relatively undisturbed in a traditional manner, using those of their own country and those of the Netherlands, among others. Featured postal item: two special picture postcards from 1925 For collectors of franked picture postcards, these two postal items are particularly attractive. Card 1: For stamp collectors of franked picture postcards, which made a circuitous detour from France via the Dutch East Indies to Rijswijk in 1925, is a special and attractive piece of mail. Especially if the card bears stamps and handwritten notes in pen [red & blue] and pencil. Card 2: This picture postcard, which was sent from Cannes to Bandung on August 11, 1925 (and received incorrect addresses there), eventually reached the addressee. Various extra stamps, notes, cross-outs, and a flourish make this postal item an exceptionally attractive object, which undoubtedly invites you as a collector to trace its history. Should a stamp collector be interested in one or both cards, this is certainly possible in consultation (batehill@delta.nl). Nothing ventured, nothing gained As individual collectors, we can protest, collect selectively, or even stop collecting Dutch stamps, but that changes nothing about the policy. Therefore, the question arises: What can organized philately do about the annual, unrestrained stream of new issues? Has this subject ever been seriously discussed? If not, PostNL continues to treat the collector like a good-natured cash cow. And once again it proves: 'If you give a finger, you will take a hand.' I invite readers to share their knowledge, experience, and insights. Thank you in advance.