[press release]
Focus on nature and architecture on own stamp of Texel

The Hague, 2 January 2019. The Dutch Wadden Islands are the theme of the well-known stamp series ‘Beautiful Netherlands’ in 2019. Today the first stamp sheet from this series was published, with ample attention for the nature and architecture of Texel. Later this year PostNL will publish stamps about Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog and a collection sheet about the 5 islands. Scenic beauty
The series ‘Beautiful Netherlands’ has been focusing on local history, cultural wealth and scenic beauty since 2005. The new series this year about the Dutch Wadden Islands was designed by Birza Design from Deventer.

Recognisable Texel images
The island form plays a key role in the design of ‘Beautiful Netherlands 2019’: Texel’. This is evident for the map of Texel, which the designers have placed on a small scale on the stamps and on a large scale on the stamp sheet. The stamps show recognisable Texel images: the lighthouse of Eierland, the iron sea cape near the village of Oosterend, a Texel sheep pen and a Texel lamb. The typical form of the island is also depicted in other ways in the design. For example, the font of the captions is a so-called case letter, consisting of elements which are independent of another.

Rightful pride
Almost all used photos are from a working visit to Texel by the graphic designers Ingmar and Carla Birza in the sunny summer of 2018. Carla Birza describes Texel as “a very special island of which the inhabitants of Texel are rightfully proud. For example, the undulating roads on the Hoge Berg through the garden walls, the special vegetation of the Slufter where the sea enters the land, the clay pits with water where the sheep can drink. Or the slightly elevated church in Den Hoorn, which you can clearly see from almost all sides in the flat farmland.”

Availability
The stamp sheet ‘Beautiful Netherlands 2019’ Texel’ contains five of the same stamps marked with the value ‘Nederland 1’, intended for items up to 20g in weight for delivery in the Netherlands. The stamps are available at the PostNL locations on the island of Texel from 2 January 2019 and online through www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels. The stamps can also be ordered by phone from the Collect Club customer service, please phone +31 (0)88 – 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.