Philatelic Material
This section addresses material specifically produced by, or for the collector.
In collaboration with the Belgian postal authorities, various charitable organisations produced “stamps” to commemorate important events under the name "Erinnophilie" which goes back as far as 1915. These stamps are not valid for postage but are catalogued and priced in the Belgian Catalogue Official De Timbres Poste. In addition both the Belgian Post Office and charitable organisations commemorated important events by overprinting officially issued postage stamps. These stamps are not valid for postage but are catalogued in the Belgian “Catalogue Official De Timbres Poste” under the name "Emissions Privées" with the first being issued in 1928.
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Uncharacteristically this example of Erinnophilie and its Flemish counterpart includes the design of formally issued postage stamps; the Belgian Victory Lion issue of 1944 and the Czechoslovakian Bratislva Philatelic Exhibition of 1937. These sheets were issued in aid of the victims of the German massacre at Lidice in Czechoslovakia. French and Flemish language variants were produced, 12,440 of each. |
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The 2 centimes definitive stamp in the “Petit sceau de l’Etat” series was issued on 20th June 1937 and at that time had no apparent postal usage even as a make up rate. It was officially overprinted with a red “V” on 18th December 1944 to celebrate Belgian liberation and issued as an Emissions Privée in 1945. |
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16th July 1950, both types of officially issued postage stamps were overprinted in aid of the the inauguration of a memorial at Bastogne, |
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2 July 1959 both types of officially issued postage stamps overprinted to commemorate the marriage of prince Albert [Currently King Albert II] and Princess Paola. The Battle of the Bulge issue was subsequently employed to produce commemorative cards for the first moon landing.
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Philatelic societies often produce commemorative items. |
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First day covers and souvenir sheets continue to enjoy popularity. |
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Contrived Covers
Registered LE HAVRE (SPECIAL) 11✶14-5 15 SEINE INFRE Single-ring to Paris. This is clearly philatelic as it is franked with all values of the 1912 “Pellens” definitive set namely 1c 108, 2c 109, 5c 110, 10c 118, 20c 119, 25c 120, 35c 113, 40c 121, 50c 115, 1fr 116, 2fr 117, 5fr 122 [COB catalogue numbers]. There are two designs for some values in this set in the second the effigy of King Albert is larger. |
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The move to the Euro presented the Belgian Post Office with a problem and philatelists with an opportunity. For a brief period from late 1999 stamps were introduced valued in both Belgian francs and in euros. From 1 January 2002 stamps valued in euros only would be issued and those valued only in Belgian francs would be demonetarised. Protests caused a change in heart and it was agreed that the combined usage of stamps valued in francs and franc/euros would be permitted as would mixed use of franc/euros and euros. Combinations of franc and euro only |
stamps would be prohibited. Collectors and dealers have taken the opportunity to flout this ruling and use up stamps, especially commemoratives, for which there is virtually no market.
