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Europe/Other : Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

 

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Dakota
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14 Feb 2003
11:15:09pm
I've been sorting out a lot of Belgian issues and have noticed something interesting on them. Most of them since about 1959 have the year of issue printed somewhere either in the margin of the stamp or else on the vignette of the stamp.

These dates are very tiny and very hard (for my old eyes) to see unless using at least a 10 power loupe.

Next to the issue date is another set of digits - sometimes only 3 (I8V), (10C), (HT7) or infrequently 4 digits of the same style.

Does anyone know what the heck those digits represent?

Handshakes,


Dakota
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Liz Jones (Patches)

14 Feb 2003
11:52:54pm
re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Hi Dakota:

WOW - I can actually answer your question :)

Belgium has a wonderful system for collectors to help us identify the issues of their stamps, particularly the more recent issues.

Besides printing the year of issue on the stamp, they also show the number of the issue. For example the first issue of a particular year would be 1. If there is more than one stamp in that particular set, then they would show 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, etc. They carry on throughout the year as they issue new stamps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..... and so on. Then the next year they start again!

Last week I received a wonderful free gift in the mail from our local drug store. It was a magnifying strip that you just place on top of print and WOW I can actually read these numbers. They actually sent the strip suggesting that one carry it with them when trying to read labels on food. BUT..... I found a better use for it.

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Dakota
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15 Feb 2003
12:33:49am
re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Thank you Ms. Patches:

I owe you my gratitude, 5 pounds of chocolate - 1 million dozen roses and a Rolls Royce (in your choice of colors) - Oh yeah, I owe you a heartfelt thank you!

I don't know that I'd have been able to figger this one out on my own. It seems simple enough but it was driving me nuts!

I think I may love you - but heck, it's Valentine's Day so why not.

The only thing I get from my Pharmacy is either a billing or coupons for two dollars off their 12 pack of Charmin toilet tissue - or a 'free' beauty make-over by Charles at "Beauty City" (corner 12th and Main - hours 9-4:30 Monday Thru Saturday closed Sundays - later hours by special appointment).

Handshakes,

Dakota

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Liz Jones (Patches)

15 Feb 2003
11:52:33pm
re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Hi Dakota:

I'll pass on the chocolates, but the million dozen roses and a Black Rolls Royce, complete with driver would be most appreciated.

I'd have to use my little magnifying strip to read the label on the chocolate package and I don't think I'd like to know what the calorie count would be.

"I think I love you" is a typical male response. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Happy Stamping :)

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
Dakota

14 Feb 2003
11:15:09pm

I've been sorting out a lot of Belgian issues and have noticed something interesting on them. Most of them since about 1959 have the year of issue printed somewhere either in the margin of the stamp or else on the vignette of the stamp.

These dates are very tiny and very hard (for my old eyes) to see unless using at least a 10 power loupe.

Next to the issue date is another set of digits - sometimes only 3 (I8V), (10C), (HT7) or infrequently 4 digits of the same style.

Does anyone know what the heck those digits represent?

Handshakes,


Dakota

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Liz Jones (Patches)

14 Feb 2003
11:52:54pm

re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Hi Dakota:

WOW - I can actually answer your question :)

Belgium has a wonderful system for collectors to help us identify the issues of their stamps, particularly the more recent issues.

Besides printing the year of issue on the stamp, they also show the number of the issue. For example the first issue of a particular year would be 1. If there is more than one stamp in that particular set, then they would show 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, etc. They carry on throughout the year as they issue new stamps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..... and so on. Then the next year they start again!

Last week I received a wonderful free gift in the mail from our local drug store. It was a magnifying strip that you just place on top of print and WOW I can actually read these numbers. They actually sent the strip suggesting that one carry it with them when trying to read labels on food. BUT..... I found a better use for it.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Dakota

15 Feb 2003
12:33:49am

re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Thank you Ms. Patches:

I owe you my gratitude, 5 pounds of chocolate - 1 million dozen roses and a Rolls Royce (in your choice of colors) - Oh yeah, I owe you a heartfelt thank you!

I don't know that I'd have been able to figger this one out on my own. It seems simple enough but it was driving me nuts!

I think I may love you - but heck, it's Valentine's Day so why not.

The only thing I get from my Pharmacy is either a billing or coupons for two dollars off their 12 pack of Charmin toilet tissue - or a 'free' beauty make-over by Charles at "Beauty City" (corner 12th and Main - hours 9-4:30 Monday Thru Saturday closed Sundays - later hours by special appointment).

Handshakes,

Dakota

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Liz Jones (Patches)

15 Feb 2003
11:52:33pm

re: Belgium: meaning of tiny printing on stamps

Hi Dakota:

I'll pass on the chocolates, but the million dozen roses and a Black Rolls Royce, complete with driver would be most appreciated.

I'd have to use my little magnifying strip to read the label on the chocolate package and I don't think I'd like to know what the calorie count would be.

"I think I love you" is a typical male response. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Happy Stamping :)

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

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