Issue date: 01 Jul, 2020
12 MONTHS, 12 STAMPS. JAEN
The seventh stamp in the Twelve months, twelve stamps series is dedicated to the province of Jaen, the most relevant features of which appear in various images forming the first letter of the province.
The stamp appears like a window onto the olive grove landscape of Mogón, highly representative of the overall landscape in Jaen and its tapestry of olive trees.
The stamp also shows two columns, one on each side. On the left is one of the columns from the Moorish Baths of Jaen, known as the Baños del Niño, which were built during the 11th century over the remains of some Roman baths. They were built over once again during the 16th century, this time to build the Renaissance palace of the first Conde de Villardompardo.
The other column on the stamp belongs to the Jabalquinto Palace in Baeza, the current headquarters of the International University of Andalusia, which has a richly decorated spectacular façade and a patio with a double arcade of columns made from marble with crests on all the spandrels. It was given World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2003 alongside the Holy Chapel of El Salvador in Úbeda, the façade and bell tower of which appear at the base of the initial letter. The bell tower was built under the patronage of Francisco de los Cobos, Secretary to Emperor Charles V, as an annexed pantheon to his palace in Úbeda. The two palaces comprising the Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza are considered as the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain.
The upper section of the initial letter appearing on the stamp shows the bell tower of Jaen Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. This cathedral was built by the architect Andrés de Vandelvira following the purest of Renaissance styles.
Ancient art is represented by the figure of the Cástulo Sphinx, discovered at the Higuerones Necropolis, dating back to the 7th century BC and belonging to the Archaeological Ensemble of Cástulo in Linares. With the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and human head, the figure is carrying the double crown of the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Finally, the green stripe along the bottom of the stamp represents the colour of the provincial flag.
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.