[PostNL press release]
Stamps depicting the modesty of Dutch bridgesThe Hague, 26 March 2018 – This year, two typically Dutch bridges in Dedemsvaart and Edam are the central features of PostNL’s postage stamp entries in the European design competition ‘EUROPA Stamp Best Design Competition’. This annual competition between European postal operators always has a common theme. For 2018, the theme is bridges.

The stamps depict an iron swing bridge in Dedemsvaart and a wooden drawbridge in Edam. The stamp sheetlet has been designed by the graphic designer Karen Polder from The Hague.

Swing bridge vs. drawbridge
The wrought iron swing bridge in Dedemsvaart has a wooden bridge deck and is supported by ashlar stone abutments and a pillar. The bridge is a rare example of a nineteenth century swing bridge over the Dedemsvaart canal. The second bridge, the Kwakelbrug in Edam, is a narrow wooden drawbridge originating from the eighteenth century. The bridge is located at the end of the Scheepmakersdijk and connects to the Boerenverdriet. ‘Since the Netherlands has a vast amount of water, we also have a vast amount of bridges,’ says Stephan van de Eijnden, marketing director for Mail at PostNL. ‘What stands out for me is how typically Dutch these bridges are.’ Simple and plain, but often ingenious constructions to facilitate transport over water and land. The two bridges on these stamps are prime examples of this.’

Slender constructions
The design of the stamps is based on photos taken by Karen Polder herself when she visited the bridges. When editing the photographs, she made the background thin and transparent and the bridges black and white. ‘Both bridges have a very linear, constructive character,’ says Polder. ‘They’re not enormous bridges – they have slender, modest constructions. The locations of the two bridges differ drastically. The location in Edam is busy and colourful, whereas tranquility and nature predominate in Dedemsvaart. This distinction is reflected in the colour blocks used for the diffuse background.

Availability
The ‘Dutch bridges’ stamp sheetlet features six different stamps in two designs marked with ‘Internationaal 1’, the denomination for items up to 20g in weight destined for delivery outside of the Netherlands. The stamps are available from 26 March onwards at the post office counter in Bruna stores and online at postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels. The validity period is indefinite.