[press release]
The “art of small living” on stamps
[large illustration of entire sheet at end; click any image for larger version.]
The Hague, April 6, 2021 – Houseboats can be found all over the world, but especially in the Netherlands. The latest PostNL stamps from the Typically Dutch series give a good impression of what the houseboats look like in our country.
In 2021, the Typically Dutch series will focus on housing types and facades that are characteristic of our country. Previously, the stamps about traditional farmhouses, wooden houses and canal houses were published. Another issue about terraced houses will follow later this year.
Small waves
The Typisch Nederlands – houseboats stamps feature a colorful illustration of 2 houseboats in an idyllic setting with water in the foreground and tall trees in the background. The houseboat on the left is depicted in its entirety, the houseboat on the right partially. At the bottom of the stamp is a black line that refers to the street level of where the original photos of the houseboats were taken.
Arks, scharken and houseboats
The oldest written sources on the history of houseboats in the Netherlands date back to around 1600. From that time onwards, living on ships was certainly permanent, especially on cargo ships converted for habitation. Houseboats were later built especially for this purpose. Connoisseurs of houseboats make a distinction between arks or scharken (respectively a concrete or steel hull with a superstructure of wood, stone or plastic) and houseboats (decommissioned inland vessels that have been given a residential function).
Nice thoughts
The stamps about the houseboats in the Netherlands were designed by Edwin van Praet of Total Design. He describes a houseboat as a house as something special. “It’s the art of small living, after all. And in theory you have the option to drop anchor and sail to another place. I know: that doesn’t happen often, but it’s a nice thought.”
Availability
The stamp sheetlet Typically Dutch – houseboats has 6 identical stamps with the denomination Nederland 1, intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands. The stamps are available from April 6, 2021 at the Bruna stores and via the website [direct link]. The stamps can also be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period of validity is indefinite. 
