Issue date: 03 Apr, 2017
12 MONTHS. 12 STAMPS. BARCELONA.
Continuing the series 12 months, 12 stamps launched by Correos this year, this month is dedicated to the province of Barcelona. The month of April, a month of spring and rebirth, is one of the most important months for this province, when it celebrates its big day –Sant Jordi or Saint George’s Day– which commemorates the death of this saint on 23 April 303. UNESCO proclaimed 23 April as World Book Day in 1995. Therefore, both events are traditionally celebrated on that day by exchanging red roses for the saint's day and a book for Book Day.
That is why the stamp features an open book with the inscription “Sant Jordi” next to a red rose.
A letter B rests on the book, following the pattern of the two stamps issued previously in this series of representing the provinces through their old vehicle registration plate letters.
The letter is decorated with the Parque Güell dragon, which has become the emblem of the park, representing the style of the great architect Gaudí and “trencadís”, a type of decorative mosaic work using fragments of ceramic tiles.
Next to the dragon is one of the most international desserts of the region: crema catalana, a cream made from egg yolk, sugar, flour and milk with cinnamon and lemon peel, and seared to form a caramelised top.
Next to the crema catalana is the iconic W Hotel, popularly known as the Sail, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, towering 99 metres and representing the coastal nature of the city of Barcelona on the stamp.
There is a yellow stripe along the bottom of the stamp alluding to the colour of the provincial flag.
This stamp will be used as a single type of postage for all parcels sent from the post offices in the featured province.
Carmen Álvarez Casanova
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.