Issue date: 10 Nov, 2020
TRADITIONAL TRADES. NIGHT WATCHMAN
Continuing Correos' philatelic series on Traditional Trades, which in previous years has included stamps on such professions as miner, glass maker and potter, the unique profession of night watchman will be featured in this issue.
The Premium Sheet depicts some of the most representative aspects of this profession, such as the cap and keyring.
The metallic print stamps die-cut into the shape of a key hang from that keyring, the inseparable companion of any night watchman.
Records of this profession date back to at least 1715 and the Night Watchman Corps was created on 12 April 1765. The trade was first regulated under a Spanish Royal Decree dated 16 September 1834.
Night watchmen were required to live in the district where they worked, to have no criminal record, to be aged between 20 and 40, and to have no other job that would prevent them from working at night.
They had to be appointed by the police and needed to be fully trustworthy individuals given that they were responsible for the security and safety of both property and people.
In their early days, the job consisted of lighting the streetlamps in the big city and making nocturnal rounds to keep the streets safe.
Over time, they started to perform other roles such as accompanying residents to their homes and ensuring there were no delinquents hanging around people’s houses.
Their uniform consisted of a grey cloak that later became a robe of the same colour, a silver cap, a pike (for defending themselves), a whistle and a set of keys like the one depicted on this Premium Sheet.
Their presence was essential after ten at night when entering a property required the night watchman to open the main door. Anyone wishing to enter a property would shout “watchman”, who would then know where their service was required.
This profession disappeared during the 1970s, although those who had the experience will never forget the night watchmen.
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.