Issue date: 04 Apr, 2012
The European public postal operators members of PostEurop annually issue the Europa stamp series with a common theme. This year’s topic is devoted to promoting each country’s culture and tourism under the title: Visit ... The theme is intended to promote each country’s most emblematic and characteristic features, as if stamps were a window open to the world of tourism promotion.
More than forty public postal operators are issuing their PostEurop stamps with the most diverse images of their respective countries.
The Visit Spain stamp features characteristic tourist attractions full of symbolism; beaches, the fine weather, the sunlight and the artistic and cultural heritage. The stamp designer, artist J. Carrero has taken inspiration from the famous painting Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez to make a composition that mixes different concepts of tourism. Thus, the Spanish sunlight and colour are reflected in the whole work, in the sand and sea. Art is expressed through a painting’s framework symbolising the historical and cultural heritage, and the Spain brand related to trade, industry, handicrafts and local products, is interpreted in a shopping bag with the colours of the national flag. The stamp features the official logo of the Europa series, symbolizing a mailbox and whose use is mandatory for all stamps issued within this series.
Europa stamps aim at promoting philately and contributing to the diffusion of culture, traditions and history of the European continent. It is one of the most collected and popular stamps series in the world.
Since 2002, PostEurop organizes an annual Internet contest in which all citizens can participate to choose the best stamp of the year. The winning stamp is disclosed at the meeting held annually by the Philatelic Working Group of PostEurop.
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.