| Belgium. Commemorative ATM issues 2010 |
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| 2010 is an important year for Belgian philately. In April, the Belgian and European Philatelic Championship -Antverpia 2010-, will be held in Antwerp, along with BIRDPEX, the international philatelic exhibition dedicated to the theme of birds. |
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The first ATM issue announcing Antverpia 2010 was released in 2009 (see article >>> and VARIABLE 12), and 2010 opens with a BIRDPEX 2010 commemorative ATM.
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This new issue was requested by the BIRDPEX organizing committee to the Belgian post - La Poste. It could be obtained either through the Belgian philatelic service, or on the first day of issue, January 4th 2010, from the AMIEL SIMA 1351 T distributor installed in the Brussels De Brouckère Philaboutique. On that cold winter’s day, with a Brussels partially covered by snow and resuming business after the holidays, a number of collectors visited the Philaboutique to get the 2 new bird-theme releases. |
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Besides the ATM, a new stamp was added to the definitive bird stamps series which was also released that day, for use with registered mail (4.60 EUR). The ATM issue features the picture of a barn owl, also depicted on the stamp. Another nice design from the Belgian painter André Buzin.
It is also a special event for the artist, as 2010 is 25 years since he first designed a bird-theme stamp for La Poste in Belgium. |
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As with other recent issues, the Amiel distributor only issued ATMs with the 4 main postal rates. In all the ATMs, a symbol replaces the numerical face value, according to the current postal tariff in Belgium. 2 values for domestic mail (1 and 2 within a circle, corresponding to standard letters up to 50 gm. and non-standard mail up to 100 gm.), and standard mail, up to 50 g., to Europe and the rest of the world (EUROPA 1 and WORLD 1, respectively).
The changes in postal rates, starting on January 1st 2010, were applied to this issue, for which the price of postage depends on the number of stamps purchased. The price is maintained for purchases of 10 or more stamps, and increased for smaller smaller quantities (eg, 0.59 or 0.69 EUR, respectively, for the basic domestic mail rate).
The symbol representing the face value of the ATMs, sized 50 x 25 mm, is printed with red ink on phosphorescent self-adhesive labels, which have luminescent fibres, on a white waxed backing paper. |
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The design includes the name of the country in 3 languages (French, Dutch and German), and the place and date of issue. Below, the barn owl picture and the logos of BIRDPEX 2010 and the Belgian La Poste. |
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The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a nocturnal bird of prey, medium size. Can be found worldwide, in different subspecies.
The birds theme is one of the most popular in stamp collecting, and proof of this are the numerous stamp issues, including ATMs, which annually dedicate philatelic services worldwide to this subject. Among them, the various ATM issues released by the Israel philatelic service in 2009 and 2010, devoted to birds of prey and water birds. |
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| Also, since 1990 and every 4 years, the international philatelic exhibition BIRDPEX join together collections and collectors around the world interested in this topic. After Christchurch in New Zealand, Rosenheim in Germany, London, Leek in The Netherlands, and Nørresundby in Denmark, the sixth edition of BIRDPEX will be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from April 9th to 12th 2010. |
The Belgian La Poste, always very sensitive to the social and linguistic realities of the country (...), prepared 2 first day of issue postmarks for both releases, with the same design but changed the position of the texts: Chouette effraie / Kerkuil <---> Kerkuil / Chouette effraie, y BRUXELLES 1000 BRUSSEL <---> BRUSSEL 1000 BRUXELLES.
The European and National Championship of philately, ANTVERPIA 2010 was held in Antwerp, from April 9th to 12th 2010.
This magnificent meeting was organized, in collaboration with Pro-Post, by the Fédération Royale des Cercles Philatéliques de Belgique which, in 2010, celebrated the 120th anniversary of its creation. Pro-Post is the national association for the development of philately, bringing together all the sectors involved - the Fédération Royale des Cercles Philatéliques de Belgique, the Chambre Professionnelle Belge des Négociants en Timbres-poste, and La Poste. |
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The huge amount of preparation, organization and imagination displayed at Antverpia 2010 had its rewards. About 35,000 visitors were expected over the 4 days ... and this figure was probably exceeded.
The exhibition was held in 4 halls of the Antwerp Expo, occupying an area of 17,000 m2. |
In addition to the National and European philatelic exhibition, Antverpia 2010 included a new edition of BIRDPEX, the international philatelic exhibition dedicated to the theme of birds.
In Hall 1, the Historical Box showed a tour of 120 years of Belgian stamps. Exhibits about the shipping company Red Star Line / CMB and the 175 years of Belgian Railways, encounters with comic book creators, plus different stands dedicated to Antwerp, along with presentations, interviews, games and quizzes for young visitors, as well as many other activities -many aimed at non-philatelic' visitors, contributed to the success of this important philatelic event.
Taiwan was the guest of honour, with a booth promoting its art and culture.
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In Hall 4, the Belgian La Poste was represented in the Postal village, and occupied a large open space with a display of all its philatelic products and services. There was a presentation of stamps, and exhibits about stamp manufacturing, plus expositions and signing sessions with the stamp designers, personalized stamps, special postmarks, the kids club Stampilou, and, of course, the store with all commemorative philatelic products which were released for the occasion.
Special mention needs to be made to the space reserved for the designer André Buzin, showing an exhibition of his work over the past 25 years for La Poste, including the 100th stamp of the series dedicated to birds.
The stands of about 30 postal administrations were located around the Postal village, and complemented by over 100 philatelic dealerships.
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Prior to the exhibition, the Belgian La Poste released some philatelic products related to this philatelic event. Among them, a first ATM issue, released in 2009, announcing Antverpia 2010 (see article >>>, also published in VARIABLE 12), and another in January 2010, the BIRDPEX 2010 commemorative issue (see article>>> and VARIABLE 16).
The third commemorative ATM issue could be obtained during the exhibition from the Amiel distributor located in the Postal Village, at the left of the large stand selling philatelic products. |
The Amiel distributor was the same as was installed in Brussels in January. This is a machine that has been in service for more than 10 years and, subjected to intensive use for a few days, so it had some breakdowns and small problems with some frequency. Fortunately, a technician was usually close to the machine and any problems resolved.
The Amiel distributor issued ATMs with the 4 main postal rates. 2 values for domestic mail (1 and 2 within a circle, corresponding to standard letters up to 50 gm. and non-standard mail up to 100 gm.), and standard mail, up to 50 g., to Europe and the rest of the world (EUROPA 1 and WORLD 1, respectively).
As with earlier issues, the symbol representing the face value of the ATMs, sized 50 x 25 mm, which have luminescent fibres, is printed with red ink on phosphorescent self-adhesive labels, on a white waxed backing paper. |
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The ATM depicts the Antwerp skyline, it is a design by MTVM. It includes the name of the country in the 3 official languages (in this case, first in Dutch-Flemish since Antwerp is in the Flemish region, followed by French and German), and the La Poste and Antverpia 2010 logos on both sides of the space left for the face value imprint. |
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Both the ATM and the postcard shows one of the most evocative images of Antwerp, with an overview or city skyline from the left bank of the river Scheldt, with the port area, the towers of the Gothic cathedral, and the Boerentoren building at the right, the highest civilian building in the city.
At the left, the first day of issue postmark. |
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As with other previous issues, the ATM reproduces a part of another stamp or philatelic issue. In this case, the design, at the bottom, of the souvenir-sheet ANTVERPIA 2010.
Access to the exhibition was free, and probably very few visitors resisted buying (at least) one of this nice souvenir-sheets ... sold at 5 EUR each. |
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| Commemorative sheet ANTVERPIA 2010 with the 4 ATMs and the first day postmarks |
| 2010. Postal vehicles (2) - SAINT-MARD |
Each year, La Poste offers the various Belgian philatelic groups the opportunity of hosting the launch and advance sales of new philatelic issues, in conjunction with regional and national philatelic exhibitions. During these advance sales, usually 2-3 days before the official release date, the public are offered the new stamps series, with the cooperation of the La Poste philatelic managers and designers. Collectors can purchase the issues, and also obtain the special postmarks. This is a great initiative by La Poste, and an interesting formula for promoting philately to all corners of the country.
In this instance the advance sale was held on August 28th 2010, on the occasion of the Exposition precompetitive Liège-Luxembourg - Phila Gaume 2010. This philatelic event was organized by the Club Philatélique Gaumais in the Saint-Mard Centre Communautaire, in Virton (below, left image). Some philatelic dealers also participated.
| During the exhibition, La Poste launched three new sets of stamps, with their respective special advance sale postmarks - Hauts bâtiments en Belgique, the booklet Timbres touristiques, and the souvenir-sheet La poste en mouvement, with a 5 value stamps set depicting different vehicles, both past and present, used by La Poste. |
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| Just as in 2009, (see article >>>), La Poste produced a special new ATM issue for this philatelic event, with a design that included a theme identical to the first of the stamps appearing in the souvenir-sheet, a Ford mobile post office, of 1953. The design of both issues are by Jean Libert and Guillaume Broux. Mr. Broux was also present during the launch, and signed some postal and philatelic items (upper picture and right image). |
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The commemorative postmark, used for both the 'Vehicules postaux à travers le temps' souvenir-sheet and the ATM issue, depicted the same postal bus. There are two similar postmarks, one dated 28-08 and Saint-Mard, used solely for the advance sale, and another first day postmark, with the same design, but dated 30-08 and Brussels, used by the philatelic service as the official first day of issue cancellation. |
La Poste installed the usual AMIEL SIMA 1351 T distributor near the temporary post office, although many collectors ended up purchasing the ATMs in the post office, due to the machine having problems and breakdowns.
As with earlier issues, the distributor issued ATMs with only the 4 main postal rates. 2 values for domestic mail (1 and 2 within a circle, corresponding to standard letters up to 50 gm. and non-standard mail up to 100 gm.), and standard mail, up to 50 g to Europe and the rest of the world (EUROPA 1 and WORLD 1, respectively). The ATMs, sized 50 x 25 mm, are printed on phosphorescent self-adhesive labels with luminescent fibres, on a white waxed backing paper. The symbol representing the face value is printed with red ink.
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The design of the ATM issue includes the name of the country in the three official languages (in this case, first in French because Saint-Mard is in the French-speaking Walloon region), the issue name, the postal bus, the special mention SAINT-MARD with the date of issue, and the La Poste logo.
Quite possibly this is the last ATM issue to include this logo, after the name change of the enterprise (see note below). |
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After ten years of major change and a few months ahead of the full liberalisation of the postal market, Belgium's La Poste is changing its name. From September 1st 2010 it becomes bpost, and the company’s corporate visual identity, including the logo, is also modernised. |
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| 2010. La magie de FOLON - La Hulpe |
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its founding, the Cercle Philatélique de La Hulpe asked the Belgian La Poste to produce a special set of stamps dedicated to the Folon Foundation, which in October 2010 also celebrated its 10th anniversary. The launch and presale of the new philatelic set, along with a small stamp exhibition, was held on October 16th 2010, in the Château de la Hulpe (right picture).
This magnificent French-inspired castle, was built in 1842 at the Domaine de Solvay, a park of over 200 hectares located about 20 km. southeast of Brussels. |
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| Some posters and other documents related to the Belgian artist Folon, the real reason for the event, were displayed alongside the philatelic exhibition. |
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A few philatelic dealers also participated. |
| Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) is an artist renowned in Belgium, but little known in other countries, although his work is extremely varied (painting, sculpture, illustrations, ... even stamps !), and widely reported by many countries. The Folon Foundation (left) was inaugurated in October 2000 and housed at the ancient farmhouse of the Château de la Hulpe, a few metres from the castle. The Foundation offers a permanent exhibition of more than 300 works, by the artist. |
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During the philatelic event, La Poste released the 10-stamps booklet 'La Magie de Folon', showing different works by the artist (pictured above), and the sheet of stamps 'Avant qu'ils ne disparaissent', dedicated to different trades that have virtually disappeared.
The perfect organization and, above all, the issues dedicated to Folon, attracted many visitors - despite the remote location of this philatelic event, not easily accessible by public transport. During the first few hours visitors invaded the ground floor of the castle but, as usual, in the afternoon the numbers dropped off dramatically. The organizing philatelic group prepared different commemorative material, which sold very well. |
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La Poste (bpost from September 2010) released a new special ATM issue for this philatelic event, with a design by Myriam Voz & Thierry Martin (MVTM) which depicts a Folon work, 'le chemin', a patinated bronze sculpture created in 2004. |
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Right picture, an illustrated cover published by the Cercle Philatélique de La Hulpe, franked with the 4-values ATM set, the commemorative postmark, and signed by MVTM, the designers of the Folon stamps and ATM issues (left picture). |
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| The new ATM issue could be obtained from the AMIEL SIMA 1351 T distributor installed in one of the castle halls, near the La Poste commercial stand, and the postmarking and designer tables. During the morning, in particular, so many collectors crowded in front of the distributor, that many visitors ended up purchasing the stamps at the La Poste stand. Indeed, a small group of local collectors did not move from the machine at all. |
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The Amiel distributor allowed the issuing of ATMs with the 4 usual main postal rates. 2 values for domestic mail (1 and 2 within a circle, corresponding to standard letters up to 50 gm. and non-standard mail up to 100 gm.), and standard mail, up to 50 g to Europe and the rest of the world (EUROPA 1 and WORLD 1, respectively). The ATMs, sized 50 x 25 mm, are printed on phosphorescent self-adhesive labels with luminescent fibres, on a white waxed backing paper. The symbol representing the face value is printed with red ink.
A special commemorative postmark was available for the Folon issues, both the stamps and ATMs. This postmark included the Fondation Folon logo, the issue title and the presale date and place (see maximum cards below, and first day cover above). There is similar postmark, dated October 18th and Brussels, used by the philatelic service as the official first day of issue cancellation. |
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| Maximum cards. Left, the sculpture 'le chemin', installed in the Walloon Parliament, in Namur, during the Folon 2008 retrospective exhibition. At the right, Jean-Michel FOLON next to another of his works. |
| The last roll of labels used by the distributor during the philatelic event, placed in the machine shortly before closing, had this strange printing error on the pre-printed paper. |
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© J. Jove - M. Sans. ATEEME. Variable value stamps study group. All rights reserved
This page was created in February 2010 and last updated:
18.03.11
. English edition rewritten by S. Goodman (29.10.2010)
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