Queen Astrid with native children. No’s 194-196

Queen Astrid of Belgium (1905-1935)

Princess Astrid of Sweden was born on November 17, 1905. Daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Prince Leopold and Astrid were married in Brussels on November 10, 1926. On October 11, 1927, the Duchess of Brabant gave birth to her first child: a beautiful baby baptized with the name of Josephine-Charlotte. Almost three years later, an heir was born. He was given the name of Baudouin in memory of his deceased great-uncle who was supposed to have been king. On August 29, 1935, the monarchs left there, the car plunged down a ravine. Her lifeless body lay on the grass near the wreckage.

The series was issued as a commemorative to the first year of the death of Queen Astrid and for the benefit of the indigenous child. The stamp was made from a photo taken during the Royal visit to Belgian Congo in 1933.

Date of issue: 29 Augustus 1936

Expiration date: 1 January 1938

Design: Jean De Bast (1883-1975)

Engraving: Malvaux

Printing: Atelier du Timbre, Malines. (Zegeldrukkerij, Mechelen-Belgium)

Perforation: 11.5

Size: 26,5 x 35,5 mm

Sheet: 100 (in two panels of 50)

Marginal inscriptions:

Circulation: see the series

No 194. 1,25Fr + 5c, sepia, 500,000 stamps (sold 350,000)

No 195. 150Fr + 10c, carmine, 500,000 stamps (sold 350,000)

No 196. 2,50Fr + 25, blue, 300,000 stamps (sold 150,000)

The series:

There are no variations or curiosities known for any of the above shown material.

Proofs: the proofs signed by Jean De Bast with his initials.

There are several proofs known, all with the same theme, here two examples (these are in a not emitted type); the first 93 x 124 mm, the second 75 x 96 mm:

Photographic proof in black & white (27 x 38,5 mm):

For this emission, there exist engraved proofs (see above), and also the photographic proofs. Other photographic proofs have known to been made in this period.

Signed by ?