NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 Issue # 448 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-2

Article Best Europa Stamps

The following was reported on the Europa Blogspot:

“The 2018 Best Europa stamp - Jury prize was awarded on 15 September in the Brussels town hall. It is the seventh edition of this neutral and artistic prize. Five experts of the philatelic world were invit- ed to join the jury and judge the Europa stamps based on their expert opinion.

“This year's winner is Belgium with a stamp part of the following souvenir-sheet (the stamp on the right). This is the second time that Belgium wins the Jury prize, they did previously in 2014.”

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury

• Agnieszka Trzaskowska, Chair of PostEurop Stamp & Philately Steering Group, Poland (not part of the jury) • Olaf Neumann, Designer, Germany • Stefan Klein, Designer, Germany • Botond Szebeny, PostEurop's Secretary General, Hungary • Andrée Trommer, General secretary of the Fédération internationale de philatélie (FIP), Luxembourg • Guy Coutant, Pro Post, Belgium I couldn’t help notice that one of the judges is from • Antonio Manuel Amaral, PostEurop's coordinator Belgium. Hmmm. Anyway, second and third prizes (not part of the jury) are shown below. The second prize was a tie between Hungary (below left, top left stamp) and Fin- Not long thereafter, PostEurop announced the land (below right, stamp on the bottom). winners of its Public Prize, at their Plenary As- sembly in Tbilisi, Georgia, which went to the high value of Turkey’s two-value set:

Third place went to Croatia (below, stamp on the right): To quote from the Europa Blogspot:: It's the fifth time Turkey wins the on line voting and since 2011 they always finished in the top 2! They won in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 and finished 2nd in 2012 and 2014! The Best Europa stamp design competition is a yearly event. The first competition took place in 2002. All official Europa stamp issues can enter the competition. (continued on next page)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-3

Article New Issues Best Europa Stamps Europa 2018 "Bridges"

(Continued from previous page) Finally, two late arrivals to complete the year: Second place went to this tasteful stamp from Poland: ARMENIA 1v

Issue date 2 October 2018

Tsakkar Natural Bridge

The postage stamp depicts the natural bridge Georgia’s late entry (below) took third place: located in the village of Tsakkar of Gegharkunik province of Armenia. Tsakkar, founded in 1828 by migrants from eastern Turkey, has a natural bridge, a church rebuilt in 19th c., and boundary stone from an old fortress. —info from PanArmenian.net; photo from Instagram

ALBANIA 1v+ss; also a booklet pane featuring the same designs in a different layout.

The Blogspot didn’t mention which of the two Issue date won the competition, but my guess would be the 25 October 2018 second. Old Stone Bridges The PostEurop website told us a bit more about the results. The winner was announced during a special gala dinner celebrating PostEurop’s 25th anniversary.

Agnieszka Trząskowska, Chair of the PostEurop Stamps and Philately working group from Poczta Polska S.A., said:

"I am very proud to announce that this year we had a record number of votes, a new milestone of 23 thousand! It makes me happy to see such level of engagement from voters all around the globe, in philately. The outcome of this year's competition is a great reward for the magnificent designers who via their creativity has created authentic works of art made with different production techniques, including engravings with different layers, watercolor paintings and photography.”

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-4

New Issues EuroMed 2018 “Houses in the Mediterranean” TUNISIA 2v LEBANON 1v

Issue date 9 July 2018? Issue date 9 July 2018

Beiteddine Palace

Emir Bashir II of the Shihab dynasty, who later became the ruler of the Mount Lebanon Emirate, built the palace between 1788 and 1818 at the site of the Druze hermitage. After 1840, the palace was used by the Ottomans as a government building. During the French Mandate it served as a local administrative office.

In 1943, the palace was declared the official president's summer residence. During the Lebanese Civil War it was heavily damaged. Parts of the palace are today open to the public while the rest is still the president's summer residence. No additional information was provided on the — from Wikipedia Tunisian Post (La Poste Tunisienne) website.

JORDAN ss of 6v

Issue date 9 July 2018

“Houses in the Mediterranean”

No additional information was provided on the Jor- dan Post (Jo Post) website

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-5

New Issues European Year of Cultural Heritage HUNGARY 5v+labels issued se-tenant with identical designs in different colors. Colors are printed in an alternating descending pattern on full sheets of 35 stamps, as shown below.

Issue date 1 August 2018

“2018, the European Year of Cultural Herit- age, was launched by the European Culture Forum in Milan on 7 December 2017. The European Union introduced thematic years in 1983 to draw attention to specific areas of our daily lives, to encourage dialogue and to create an opportunity to get to know the relevant values better.

“The aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to encourage more people to discover and find out more about Europe’s cultural heritage, and to reinforce the European identity and a sense of belonging to a common European family in citizens.

“European cultural heritage has many forms such as buildings, historic towns, monuments, books, archae- ological finds, landscapes, flora and fauna, traditions, languages, craftsmanship, traditional knowledge and skills, and now even digital contents.

“During the year there will be many thousand EU-level national, regional and local events throughout the European Union aiming, through appropriate education, to focus on children and young people who will preserve and pass on this cultural heritage to future generations.

“This will be implemented through a series of European, national, regional and local initiatives. Each Member State appoints a national coordinator to decide on the programs to be included in the national calendar of events at a national and regional level. The events which are accepted for this may freely use the thematic year’s official logo, slogan and brochures.” — from Magyar Posta, Ltd.

French ANDORRA 1v

Issue date 11 August 2018

The church of Santa Coloma is one of the oldest (8th-9th century) and most unique examples of Romanesque architecture in Andorra. The current appearance of the building corresponds to a set of modifications and developments made over the centuries to adapt to the needs and fashions of each era. Two elements considered today as the most significant (the round tower belfry and the frescoes that decorated the walls of the apse until the 1920s) are the result of important works of art. Most of the improvements and developments were carried out during the twelfth century to adapt the temple to the aesthetic rules of the time. — from La Poste

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-6

New Issues Editor’s (½) Page European Anniversaries and Events

MONTENEGRO 1v Follow-up Dept.: Re. our continuing series on Dutch politicians (EN 446, 447 and this issue) I Issue date got this interesting email from Hans Snellenberg, 31 October 2017 who authored the original series for Gren- zenloos: Joy of Europe “Remarkable is that you write that Joseph Luns (EN# 447-20) was an avid stamp collector. In 2006 I came in contact, as employee of Van Dieten Stamp Auction, with a granddaughter

of Joseph Luns, who This qualifies as a “catch-up” item. A comple- mentary stamp was issued by Serbia, and was had inherited a part of reported in EN# 443-12. his stamp collection. Most of the items she had, he received at conferences or happenings, because people AUSTRIA 1v knew he collected stamps. At a Van Dieten Veil- ing (Auction) in May 2007 we sold all of that.” Issue date 29 June 2018 I can’t take much credit for scholarship. Luns’ EU Presidency Wikipedia article merely mentioned that he was a stamp collector. I’m sure that the things he received gratis included some very desirable items.

NOJEX 2018 was a nice little show. Held at the

Meadowlands in North Jersey last October, it

hosted ATA and APS booths, and I got to spend some time with two of our long time members, Every six months, the Presidency of the Council both of whom are Distinguished Topical Philate- of the European Union changes: On 1 January lists. Caroline Scannel recently retired, and — like and 1 July, another EU member state takes over most recent retirees — looks about ten years this function. Austria will hold the EU Council younger. She used to spend two hours each way Presidency for the third time after 1998 and commuting to the big city. Time to take it easy 2006, thereby assuming a variety of duties. and start digging through that Miscellaneous — from Austria Post Box. Fred Skvara has a passion for putting together mini-collections on whatever he finds of It’s dues time again. Sorry about that, but it’s how we interest, from Halloween to Einstein. Next time keep going. If you enjoy getting the Europa News every you are at a show, ask to see his little exhibits. other month, bidding on the auctions, using the hand- You will be captivated. book and checklists, referring to back issues on the web, or just want to keep our Unit alive, please send your pay- (Note: I also learned that if you are 65 or older, ment now, while you think of it. you qualify for priority boarding on Amtrak from

Dues: $20/yr USA, $30/yr outside USA, $10/yr for elec- DC to NYC. Maybe other routes as well. Sweet!) tronic only (no printed copy).

Mail check (payable to Europa Study Unit) to Mr. Tonny The ESU auctions (see insert this issue) are al- Van Loij, 3002 S Xanthia St., Denver, CO 80231-4237. ways very popular; so much so that Don Smith is We also have a PayPal account: name europastudyunit, running out of small glassine envelopes. If any- email [email protected] to which payments can be one has extras they could spare please send transferred. If you use PayPal, please add 7% to cover PayPal costs. them to him at PO Box 576, Johnstown, PA 15907.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-7

Article Important Dutch Politicians: Hendrik Brugmans — Hans Snellenberg

This is the third in a series of articles According to The Times, the "College spotlighting Dutch politicians who may of Europe, in the medieval Belgian city have gone unrecognized over the years of Bruges, is to the European political for the influence they have had on the EU elite what the Harvard Business and its organizations.. School is to American corporate life. It is a hothouse where the ambitious Our friends at Grenzenloos (No and talented go to make Boundaries) have provided this contacts". The Economist describes it information, from an earlier article in as "an elite finishing school for their magazine, and translated from the aspiring Eurocrats." original Dutch. The article below is an aggregation of that information with that In 1951, Brugmans was awarded of other sources, mainly nl.Wikipedia: the “Karlspreis”. Named after Charlemagne, the prize is awarded Dr. H. (Hendrik) Brugmans was born in annually for work done in the service Amsterdam on 13 December 1906 and died in of European unification. He was just the second Bruges on 12th March 1997. He was one of the person to be so honored (the first was Count intellectual leaders of the European Movement Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, considered to and co-founder and first president of the Union be the pioneer of European integration). of European Federalists (UEF). Moreover he was Subsequent honorees included Jean Monnet and rector of the College of Europe in Bruges Robert Schuman. between 1950 and 1972. He was awarded the International Karl’s Prize as second person in Brugmans died at the age of 90 1951. years in 1997. The year after his death the College of The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a Europe honored him by naming European non-governmental organization that academic year the Brugmans campaigning for a Federal Europe. It promotion and by creating an consists of 20 constituent organ- annual lecture named after izations and it has been active at the him. One of the buildings of the European, national and local levels since 1946. It new Verversdijk site of the is still active and influential in long-range goals College in Bruges is also named after him. Since of European politics. Dr. Brugmans served as the 2010, the students of the College of Europe have first President of the Executive board from 1947 honored him further by holding an annual through 1949. football tournament named the Hendrik The College of Europe is an elite, independent Brugmans Memorial Cup. The tournament institute of postgraduate European studies with includes both current and former students of the the main campus in Bruges, Belgium and a College of Europe. smaller campus Brugmans is the only recipient in the first ten in Warsaw, Poland. years of the Karlspreis not to be pictured on a The College of postage stamp. To help rectify this omission, the Europe in Bruges “Verenigde Naties-Verenigd Europa” Study Unit was founded in (the nice folks of Grenzenloos) decided to issue, 1949 by such leading European figures at her 55 years anniversary in 2016, a special and founding fathers of the European commemorative stamp. On 14 October 2016 Union as Salvador de Madariaga, Winston Mrs. Hedy d’Ancona, former European Churchill, Paul-Henri Spaak and Alcide De Parlementarian and Dutch Minister of Welfare, Gasperi. The founders imagined the college as a presented the stamp at the Postex in Apeldoorn place where Europe's future leaders could live to Hanna Kirsten, the (second) wife of Mr. and study together. Brugmans. ▬

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-8 Article

Patron Saints of Europe — Grenzenloos et al.

Back in 2010, Issue# 110 of Grenzenloos made Our legacy Handbook cites St. Benedict (480- mention of the following new issue: 547) under Prophets of Europa as an “‘Accidental

Patron Saints of Europe Proponent’ by virtue of his confirmation by Pope Pius XII as the ‘Father of Christian Europe’.” This On 7 October 2009, Italy issued a sheet with two is followed by a listing of stamps portraying St. stamps entitled "Patron Saints of Europe". Benedict up through 1968. The previous editor (Ms. Ruth Hellard) did not list Benedictine ab- beys, but I took that as an additional challenge and included those as well.

Our legacy Handbook also goes on to cite Sts. Cyril & Methodius (826-869/885). Ms Hellard writes that “these brother saints were named by Pope John Paul II as Patron Saints of Europe jointly with St. Benedict. The two brother saints worked with the religious centers of Rome and Constantinople, helped translate the Bible and Liturgy for Slavic peoples using the Cyrillic alphabet they developed.”

I have appended a listing to this article of the stamps that I am aware of pertaining to these three saints, including those listed in our Legacy Handbook. The lists have also been posted to the “Checklists” page on our website.

Now on to the other saints shown on the sheet. Scott# 2960 StampWorld#s 3332-3333 “Christian Roots of According to the Wikipedia article “Symbols of European Culture — Patron Saints of Europe” Europe” there are at least seven patron saints of On the stamps of € 0.60 and € 0.65 the map of Europe venerated in Roman Catholicism, six of Europe is shown with a cross (in different colors). them so declared by Pope John Paul II between Benedict of Nursia, who was proclaimed by Pope 1980 and 1999: Saints Cyril and Methodius, Saint Paul in 1965 as Patron Saint of Europe, is one of Bridget of Sweden, Catherine of Siena, Saint Te- the saints shown. resa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), and Jadwiga of Poland. The exception is Benedict St. Cyril and St. Methodius are more known as of Nursia, who had already been declared Apostles of the Slavs than as Apostles of Europe, "Patron Saint of all Europe" by Pope Paul VI in where St. Cyril is best known for the introduction 1964. of the Cyrillic script in the Slavic countries (the Cyrillic alphabet was introduced in 2005 in the Most other Wikipedia articles mention only six European Union). names, and do not include Jadwiga. Checking her Wikipedia entry reveals the following: But the others — St. Bridgit of Sweden, St. Cathe- rine of Siena and St. Theresa — are unknown to Jadwiga (aka Hedwig, 1373/4-1399), was the first me and they would look strange if they could hear female monarch of the Kingdom of Poland. She that they had been proclaimed patrons of Europe. was instrumental in strengthening Christianity through East central Europe, and had many mira- Well, Your Humble Editor has shirked many a cles attributed to her. She was canonized by challenge, but this one struck my fancy for some Pope John Paul II in 1997, but there is no men- reason. Well, a good reason actually, since our tion of her being called a Patron Saint of Europe. legacy Handbook mentioned two of these, and So, let’s move on to the others. that prompted me to add them to my collection.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-9 Article

Patron Saints of Europe — cont’d.

On 1 October 1999 Pope John Paul II named I have not gone searching for stamp issues for Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303 – 1373) as one the saints described in the left hand column. I’m of the Patron Saints of Europe. Her feast day is sure that there must be some, and would wel- celebrated on 23 July, the day of her death. She come feedback from our readers if they are had children, six of whom survived infancy, aware of any. which was a rarity for those plague-stricken days. Her second daughter is now honored as St. Cath- Besides the Patron Saints of Europe, there are a erine of Sweden. Bridget made a pilgrimage to few other religious leaders who have a connec- Rome in 1350, where she stayed and made her- tion to United Europe. These include self beloved for her kindness and good works. She was a strong advocate for ecclesiastical re- St. Adalbert of Prague (956-997) was men- form and Christian unity. She was canonized in tioned in an early EN as being loosely connected the year 1391 by Pope Boniface IX. to St. Benedict. Must have been very loose. Oth- er than living in a Benedictine monastery in 990 St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) was pro- I’m not sure what other ties there are. claimed a Patron Saint of Europe in 1999 by Pope John Paul II. She was the first woman to St. John Capistrano be declared "Doctor of the Church" on 4 October (1386-1456): At a 1970 by Pope Paul VI, along with Teresa of Ávila. time when the Turks She is also the patron saint of journalists, media, were successfully in- and all communication professions, because of vading central Eu- her epistolary work for the papacy. She decided rope, he preached early in life to devote herself to God, and made that unity among herself known very quickly by being marked by European nations stigmata and other mystical phenomena. She was essential for sur- was instrumental in bringing peace between the vival. For this and Church in Avignon and in Rome. She was canon- other activities, he ized in 1461, declared patron saint of Rome in was called the 1866, and of Italy in 1939, along with St. Francis “Apostle of Europe.” of Assisi. St. John is also cited in the Legacy Hand- VATICAN Scott# 214-5 St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (born Edith book (page B-6). Stein, 1891-1942). She was born Jewish but was an atheist by her teenage years. However, after St. Liborius (348-397) The "Saint Liborius Medal reading of the tragedies of World War I she be- for Unity and Peace", established in 1977, is con- came a nursing assistant and received a doctoral ferred every five years on someone who has con- thesis. From reading the works of the reformer of tributed to the unity of Europe on Christian prin- the Carmelite Order, Teresa of Ávila, she was ciples. drawn to the Catholic faith. She was baptized on 1 January 1922. By 1934 she became a Carmelite St. Servatius (?-384) patron saint of the city of nun and took the name of Theresa Benedicta of Maastricht and the towns of Schijndel and Grim- the Cross. She publicly denounced Nazism, and bergen. Maastricht is the site of the signing of was assigned to The Netherlands for her safety. the Treaty of Rome which established the Euro- This was to no avail, as the Nazis eventually pean Community. The saint's remains are buried rounded up even Jewish converts and send them in the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, a to the camps. Theresa Benedicta died in Ausch- place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Famous witz on 9 August 1942. She was canonized by visitors include Charlemagne, Charles V and Pope John Paul II in 1998. Pope John Paul II.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-10

Article Patron Saints of Europe — cont’d.

Just when I thought I had completed this article, “Saint Benedict • A disciple of Andrew, he also along comes a new souvenir sheet from HUN- lived as a hermit on Mount Zobor. After his spir- GARY, issued on 1 August 2018. It is cited in itual teacher’s death, with his abbot’s permission Hungary Post as Part VI of a continuing series he went and lived in Andrew’s cave, continuing “Hungarian Saints and Blesseds” and pictures the his lifestyle. He was murdered by a gang of following saints: Saint Andrew Zorard, Saint Ben- thieves looking for treasure three years later. His edict and the Blessed Maurus of Pécs. So we body was thrown into the Vah river but, accord- now have one more issue for St. Benedict. ing to legend, it was guarded by an eagle, allow- ing his body to be found.

“He was buried next to Andrew in Nitra. The place of their burial became a cathedral in the early 12th century. Today the tomb of the two hermits is in Nitra Cathedral in the chapel behind the altar of the Deposition. The chapel and the ruins of the monastery on Mount Zobor are visit- ed by Slovakian and Hungarian Catholics from the city and locality in pilgrimage.

In this way these saints and their lives are a bridge linking the Churches of three Central Eu- ropean nations. Saint Andrew Zorard and Saint Benedict are the patron saints of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nitra. I quote now from Magyar Post, which provides a rather extensive background for each of the “Blessed Maurus of Pécs • He was born around saints depicted on the sheet: 1000 in Hungary. He became a monk in Pannon- halma and in 1036 was appointed bishop of “The first saints of the medieval Kingdom of Pécs, where the construction of the cathedral Hungary were the hermits of Mount Zobor. Tra- was completed during his incumbency. He was dition has it that they were canonized in July one of the three bishops who crowned Andrew I in Székesfehérvár. 1083… Their legend was recorded by Saint Maurus, the bishop of Pécs. “His initials appear on Tihany Abbey’s 1055 char- ter of foundation and he also consecrated Sze- “Saint Andrew Zorard • He probably arrived in kszárd Abbey. He wrote the biography of the two the Kingdom of Hungary from Polish territory saints Andrew and Benedict in Latin as the first during the reign of King Stephen as a hermit Hungarian author [emphasis mine once again]. called Zorard. He took the name Andrew in the He passed away around 1070. His veneration was Benedictine Monastery on Mount Zobor [emphasis approved by Pope Pius IX in 1848, and in 1925 mine] near Nitra, today in Slovakia. With the per- he became one of the patron saints of the Dio- mission of his superior Philip, he left the monas- cese of Pécs.” tery and became a hermit.

“He practiced an ascetic life and also worked All of these saints have connections to one an- hard as a tree feller. He fasted austerely and only other that illustrate how far one could go if one ate a walnut a day during Lent. Andrew often wanted to start a little sub-collection of the Pa- kept vigil and made special devices to prevent tron Saints of Europe and their lives. In future himself falling asleep involuntarily, such as editions I hope to reproduce some other articles sharpened canes. He probably died around 1009 from Grenzenloos which describe Pilgrimages of Europe as shown on stamps. -10 and was then buried in Saint Emmeram’s Ca- thedral in Nitra and was venerated as a saint. He Oh, and be sure to add this issue to the checklist is the patron saint of Nitra. on the next page. ▬

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-11

Checklist — St. Benedict Issues

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-12

Checklist — Sts. Cyril & Methodius Issues

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-13

NEW ISSUES with Scott catalog numbers - Don Smith From Linn’s September and October Special Editions

• = position in proposed new HB outline (ref. EN# 404-12)

COUNTRY SCOTT # DATE OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION *

Andorra (Spanish) 448 23-Apr-18 Europa 2018 1 Andorra (Spanish) 451 5-Jun-18 25th Anniv. Bilateral Relations w/Spain EN 447-12 3b Andorra (French) 790 4-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Austria 2721 9-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Austria 2747 29-Jun-18 Presidency of the Council of European Union EN 448- 2a Croatia 1083 10-Jul-18 EuroMed 2018 EN 447-8 1d Cyprus (Turkish) 818-9 18-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Denmark 1800 17-May18 Europa 2018, ss of 2 (a-b) 1 Denmark 1801 17-May-18 Norden 2018 EN 443-5 1b (Note: Scott erroneously calls this Europa) Falkland Islands 1224 2-Jul-18 Eurofighter Typhoon jet 3b Gibraltar 1676a 18-May-18 Eurofighter Typhoon jet 3b France 5417 20-Apr-18 European Capitals, ss of 4 (a-d) 3a France 5419 18-May-18 Europa 2018 1 France 5434-45 2-Jun-18 Earth as seen from Int’l Space Station EN-447-13 2a Germany 3036 3-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Hungary 4471 2-May-18 Europa 2018 (in sheets 2 each 4471a-b) 1 Ireland 2184-5 3-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Italy 3493` 27-Dec-17 Alcide De Gasperi on ss 4a Lebanon 798 9-Jul-18 EuroMed 2018 EN 448-4 1d Monaco 2930 3-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Monaco 2934 7-Jun-18 Sepac 2018 EN 446-3 1c Poland 4338 2-May-18 Europa 2018 1 Spain 4274 23-Apr-18 Europa 2018 1 Ukraine 1152 20-May-18 UEFA Championships EN 447-16 3c

The following issues have earned our (not-so-) coveted “cinderella” designation:

Maldive Islands 3536, 3546 16-Dec-15 Concorde, 3536 sheet of 4, 3546 ss EN 432-11 3b Maldive Islands 3540, 3550 16-Dec-15 European Soccer Championships, 3540 sheet 4, 3c 3550 ss EN 432-9 Maldive Islands 3550 16-Dec-15 European Soccer Championships, ss EN 432-9 3c Sierra Leone 4212, 4230 28-Apr-17 Concorde, 4212 ss of 4, 4230 single EN 441-13 3b Sierra Leone 4384d 30-Jun-17 Eurostar in ss of 4 EN 442-20 3b Sierra Leone 4391a 30-Jun-17 Airbus A380 3b Sierra Leone 4424a 30-Aug-17 Churchill and FDR 4a

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-14

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (Part 1) The Luster monographs resume this issue with the 1959 Europa issues. Steve’s intent was to chronicle the first four years of Europa issues. Steve prefaced this edition with the following introduction, reprinted here in its entirety.

Previously, I wrote monographs about the 1956, 1957 and 1958 Europa stamps. The Europa stamps issued in those years were under the auspices of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). With this 1959 monograph, I complete what I set out to do. I wanted to write monographs for the four years that Europa stamps were issued under the auspices of the ECSC.

Many collectors were drawn to “Europa” stamps because of the common designs used by the 6 ECSC countries that issued Europa stamps in 1956. In 1959, representatives of the postal administrations of the 6 ECSC member countries met again, and decided that the ECSC countries would once again, issue “Europa” stamps with a common design rather than a common theme.

“A jury convened in Scheveningen, Holland in March 1959 and selected for the Europa stamps, a design submitted by Professor Walter Brudi of the Stuttgart (Germany) Academy of Arts. The design consisted of six interlaced rings forming a circle in the middle of which was the word “Europa.”[1] The Domfil Catalogue describes the common design as a “Chain , symbol of the Union.” [2]

This monograph examines the 1959 Europa stamps in some detail. It draws heavily upon the D’Urso Europa Catalogue. Each country is treated in alphabetical order.

The Europa stamps (from all six of the ECSC member nations) were issued on 19 Sep- tember 1959. Switzerland, not then a member of the ECSC, also issued “Europa” stamps. The Swiss stamps were similar to but not the accepted common design. As such, I will treat Switzerland minimally, at the end of this monograph.

It is my view, and not withstanding being listed in later versions of the D’Urso Cata- logue (e.g., 1971), the Swiss stamps had, other than as a sympathy issue, little to do with the ECSC members that issued common design stamps in 1959. The Swiss stamps were issued on 22 June 1959. The stamp design is not the 1959 common one. Rather it shows a series of four squares and four circles alternating to form a chain of eight links. The Scott Catalogue describes the stamps as “A chain symbolizing European Unity” [3] Early versions of the D’Urso Catalogue (e.g. 1962), do not list the Swiss stamps as a part of the 1959 common issue.

I want to acknowledge with grateful appreciation, Donald W. Smith of Johnstown, PA who provided me with a number of items illustrated in this monograph.[4] Other illustrations come from my own collection while still others came from various sites on the internet. [5, 6] Enjoy!

1. D’Urso Europa Catalogue, 1962 & 1971 editions & the 1974 supplement, Rome, Italy. 2. Domfil Catalogue, Europa, CEPT &PostEurop, 2001 edition, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 4-7. 3. Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, 2002 edition. 4. From the collection of Donald W. Smith, Johnstown PA. 5. From the collection of Stephen Luster, Lansdowne, VA. 6. Various sites on the internet, e.g. http://www.poppe-stamps.com/ and http://ebay.stamps.com/.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-15

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (Part 1)

BELGIUM

Belgium issued two Europa stamps with the same design in 1959. They were denomi- nated 2.50 F and 5 F. The 2.50 F stamp was printed in red and the 5 F stamp was printed in blue.

The stamps were designed by Walter Brudi. Both stamps depict the common design selected for 1959. The stamps were offset printed on un-watermarked paper, by the Atelier du Timbre, Malines, on un-watermarked paper, perforated 11½ x 11½, in sheets of 30 stamps. 5,981,000 of the 2.50 F stamp and 2,275,000 of the 5 F stamp were printed.

The D’Urso Catalogue assigned the number 50 to the 2.50 F stamp and the number 51 to the 5 Fr stamp.

In addition to the complete set of 2 stamps, the D’Urso Catalogue lists blocks of 4 stamps, the stamps in imperforate condition (D’Urso 50/51A), a deluxe proof in black (50/51B), with the complete set of stamps in their issued colors (33/34B).

D’Urso lists two varieties for the 5 F value. The color can be a pale blue-green rather than blue (51C). A color dot can be found to the left of the letter “R” in the word “Europa” (51D).

Many first day covers were produced for this issue. D’Urso assigned to them the numbers 50/51E. The FDCs are known with the following four cancels: (1) Bruxelles-Brussel, (2) Bruxelles Salon Philatélique Européen-Brussel Europees Philat. Salon (with D’Urso T30 cancel), (3) Liége Salon Philatélique de l’Europe (with D’Urso T31 cancel), and (4) Liége Salon Phila- télique de l’Europe (with D’Urso T32 cancel).

Finally, D’Urso makes note of the fact there are maximum cards for these stamps.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-16

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

Here are illustrations of three of the four first day cancels listed in the D’Urso Catalogue for Belgium’s 1959 Europa stamps.

No illustration D’Urso T30 cancel. D’Urso T31 cancel. D’Urso T32 cancel.

I cannot comment on the first cancel as I have not seen an example of it. However, while I believe that the T30 and T31 cancels are true first day cancels, I cannot say the same for the T32 cancel. Why? Because the first day of issue of the stamps was on 19 September 1959. This coincides withy the dates on the T30 and T31 cancels. However, the date on the T32 cancel is 23 September 1959. That date is not the date of issue for the stamps. There was a European philatelic salon held in Liege from 21 September through 26 September 1959. For that reason, I cannot accept the fact that the Liege cancel was ever used on a first day cover of these stamps.

This next item is an official announcement of the release of Belgium’s 1959 Europa stamps. It was issued by the Belgian Postal Administration. While it is folded to show the front and back pages, I believe that the inside would have a lot of stamp background and technical information about the stamps.

Official announcement of the release of the stamps. Item is not listed in D’Urso. Stamps bear the T30 cancel.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-17

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

As with many, if not all of its issues, Belgium produced its 1959 Europa stamps, imperforate and in limited quantities. Each of the imperforate stamps had a large number imprint- ed on its reverse side.

One of the most difficult of Belgium’s philatelic items to acquire is the deluxe proof. The proof was prepared by the Belgian Postal Administration, and it is a special issue. The D’Urso lists a “deluxe sheet in black’ as numbers 50/51B. I wonder if this items is what is being re- ferred to in the catalogue. It is in black (and white). However, the stamps are printed in their issued colors.

(Editor’s Note: Since Steve issued this monograph, the facts have become clear. Belgium issues black and white proofs of its stamps, and also issues a so-called ‘deluxe’ proof in color, with the original designs shown within another (deluxe?) design. The DomFil catalog lists both, and confirms that the deluxe proofs are in fact quite limited in quantity. The deluxe proof is what’s shown below. See EN# 442-15f for more information on these.)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-18

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

First day covers come with a variety of cachets. They can vary between the D’Urso T30 and T31 cancels.

Two similar first day covers. The cachet designs are the same but they are in yellow on the left and blue on the right. Also, the stamps on the cover on the left have the T30 cancel while the stamps on the cover at the right have the T31 cancel.

Another example of “paired” cancel can be seen at the next figure. Note that the cachets are the same, but the cancels differ.

These next items are also first day covers. The left-hand cover bears a cachet quite similar to the stamp design.

Another Belgian cacheted first day cover with the T31 cancel on the left. On the right is an unlisted first day cancel from the city of Rotterdam.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-19

“The Luster Chronicles” The 1959 EUROPA Stamps — a Monograph by Steve Luster (cont’d)

I did not find a lot of maximum cards to illustrate this chapter in the monograph. However, here are two that I ran across. Both cards bear the T30 first day cancel.

Now let’s look at the T32 cancel on a commercially used cover. Note that the date of the cancel is 23 September 1959. That is the same date on the cancel illustrated in the D’Urso Cat- alogue. Again, because of the date, I cannot consider this as a first day cancel.

<——This next cacheted cover bears a special cancel commemo- rating the European Fair that was held in the city of Tielt, Bel- gium, during the 2nd week of July, 1959.

This next cover is franked with the complete set of Belgium’s 1959 Europa stamps. The cover bears a cachet indicating that it was flown on the first Pan American jet service from New York to Brus- sels. The cancel is dated 27 October 1959. The last item is a receipt indicating that the letter (or pack- age) was paid to destination. It is franked with the 5F value of Belgium’s 1958 Europa set.

This concludes Part 1. The next installment of Steve’s monograph will continue with the issues of France. ▬

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 448-20

Say It Ain’t So Dept.

The item on the left was sent to me by ESU Director Alex Cwiekalo, confirm- ing a 29 October article in Linn’s Stamp News that the Washington Press will no longer be publishing as of year-end. So no more ArtCraft cachets, no more White Ace album pages unless another company takes up the slack, which seems unlikely. The announcement says that stock will be available at half-price if ordered now.

Their website is washpress.com and when I just checked there were still EUROPA pages available. Annual issues were printed through 2006. Blank pages (with the border that I’ve repro- duced here) are also available.

If you have been looking for them, now is the time to buy.

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