Six years of delay

When the postal administration of a particular country orders stamps, that country also expects these stamps to be delivered quickly by the printing press. However, if a war breaks out, something can sometimes get in the way that delays delivery. Printing house Joh. Enschedé en Zonen in Haarlem printed and continues to print stamps not only for the Dutch postal service, but also for many countries in and outside Europe. This also applies to Guatemala, a country in Central America. Before the Second World War, it supplied Joh. Enschedé already stamps for that country. The last series of stamps was dedicated to various themes, such as a stamp with an image of a stone Mayan calendar (Archaeological Museum), an orchid (Lycaste skinneri var alba), the national flower, the Quetzal, the national bird and a map in the national colors blue and white (present-day Belize, formerly British Hondoras, is still visible as part of Guatemala). The company name of Joh. Enschedé en Zonen also appears on the stamps.     The issuance of a series of three stamps to commemorate 100 years of stamps was planned for early 1940. The series was printed by Joh. Enschedé & Zonen in 1 centavo denominations, featuring an image of the monumental statue of the UPU (Union of World Postal Services) in Bern, and two 5-cent airmail stamps, with an image of Sir Rowland Hill and a 15-cent one with the globe above which a Quetzal flies.    However, due to the German invasion in May 1940, the series could no longer be delivered that year. After the war, the print run was sent to Guatemala after all, and the first day of availability was August 5, 1946. Six years after the stamps were printed. We are not the only ones who are thrifty……..