Issue date: 06 May, 2010
As in previous years, public postal operators of Post Europ issue the Europa stamp with a common theme which this year is Children’s books.
To stimulate the imagination, broaden vocabulary, recognise images and associate them to word forms are some of the aims of children’s books. Education and formation of society is inevitably linked to child reading which in the last century has boosted with an extensive publishing production.
In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance the only children’s books available were spelling books and those related to fables in which animals were the main characters and played a moralising role. In the 17th century fantasy books on fairies and legends passed on from one generation to the other began to be published. The first writer of modern tales was French born Charles Perrault who in 1967 published a collection of stories with titles such as Puss in Boots and Thumbling. Gradually there was a boom in children’s books and adventure stories set in imaginary and unknown worlds become very popular.
In the 19th century there were many writers devoted mainly to children’s literature such as the Grimm brothers and Christian Andersen in Europe. In Spain Saturnino Calleja stands out with his many works. It is not until the 20th century when children’s literature flourishes with the inclusion of happy colourful pictures to illustrate the stories.
The stamp has been designed by Extremadura born painter J. Carrero and will enter the contest to choose the best Europa stamp organised by Post Europ to spread the culture and history of European countries.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.