Queen Astrid with native children. No’s 108-110

 

Queen Astrid of Belgium (1905-1935)

Princess Astrid of Sweden was born on November 17, 1905. She was the youngest daughter of Prince Charles of Sweden, Duke of Vastergotland, and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Than 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 their villa for a last fateful climb. Driving his sports car along the winding, narrow roads of the region, the car plunged down a ravine. Queen Astrid was violently ejected from the automobile. Her lifeless body lay on the grass near the wreckage. Witnesses recalled a single scream, "Astrid," as a devastated Leopold held her bloodied body next to his chest.

 

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

 

The series:

108 1,25Fr + 5c, sepia, 125,000stamps

109 150Fr + 10c, carmine, 75,000 stamps

110 2,50Fr + 25, blue, 25,000 stamps

 

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