150 years of stamps in Luxembourg

Souvenir stamp sheet

This commemorative souvenir sheet for the 150th anniversary of the issue of the first Luxembourg postage stamp was prepared in support of the theme "Postage stamps images of life in Luxembourg for the past 150 years".

Visual elements

The visual elements on the sheet show, with the help of photographs from each era, daily life in the Grand Duchy around 1852, 1902, 1952 and 2002, thus placing the postage stamp in its historical context.

Derived from postage stamps

Next to these illustrations are portraits of sovereigns, derived from postage stamps that were in everyday use during the different eras being considered. The following portaits were interpreted and re-engraved by the engraver Guillaume Broux of Malines:

William III, King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, from the first Luxembourg stamp of 1852.
Grand Duke Adolphe, from the definitive stamp used in 1902.
Grand Duchess Charlotte, 1948 type, stamp on sale at post office counters in 1952.
Grand Duke Henri, present definitive series stamp.

First Luxembourg postage stamps

The first Luxembourg postage stamps, the black "Dix centimes" and the red "Un silbergros" were issued around 15 September 1852. These stamps include a medallion, on a crosshatched background, with the portrait of the King, Grand Duke William III, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The Medallion is encircled by entwined acanthus leaves as well as the word "Postes" and an indication of value in numbers and in text.
The individual stamps, which did not include the name of the country, are in a vertical format of 18 x 22 mm and were printed in imperforate sheets of 200. They were engraved on steel plates by the printer François Barth-Wahl.
The total printing of the 10 centimes stamp was 2,122,200 stamps, and of the "Silbergros" 716,800 stamps were printed. The stamps were valid for franking until 31 December 1905.
Issue: Luxembourg, 14 September 2002

More information

Christmas 2004 in Luxembourg

Athénée of Luxembourg