New Issue: Gold Delft Blue (Netherlands)
PostNL (Netherlands Post) has recently issued a "Gold Delft Blue" stamp. This contains 24-carat gold and shows a dish from the Royal Delft collection. Post NL give us a lot of information about this stamp so I will let them explain:
"Delft Blue is a type of earthenware featuring blue decorations that has been produced in Delft since the 17th century. It is renowned among enthusiasts worldwide, and Delft Blue tiles, decorative plates, tableware, apothecary jars, and vases are exhibited in many museums. The origins of Delft Blue lie with enterprising potters who spotted a gap in the market.
"In the 17th century, Chinese blue-and-white porcelain was immensely popular in the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands—as the country was then known. The prosperity of the Dutch 'Golden Age' drove a high demand for luxury household items, such as Chinese porcelain. Consequently, the Dutch East India Company transported significant quantities of this porcelain to the Republic. Porcelain from the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) was particularly popular among wealthy citizens. However, around the mid-17th century, supply issues arose due to political turmoil in China and the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Civil wars and economic decline stalled porcelain production and exports, yet demand within the Republic remained consistently high.
"Potters in Delft saw a commercial opportunity in this situation. Although Delft potters could not produce true porcelain, they created something that closely resembled it: refined earthenware finished with a layer of tin glaze, which provided a sheen that seemed to illuminate the white surface. The blue decorations were painted using cobalt oxide. Responding to market demand, the potters drew inspiration from Chinese examples, frequently incorporating Chinese motifs and subjects such as landscapes and floral scrolls. Even when Chinese and Japanese porcelain became widely available again later on, Delft Blue remained popular. By then, it had developed its own distinct style and identity, featuring typically Dutch subjects such as ships and seascapes, windmills, and biblical scenes.
"During its heyday, which lasted until the mid-18th century, there were dozens of earthenware factories in Delft. One of the few remaining producers of Delft Blue earthenware is Royal Delft, originally founded as De Porceleyne Fles in 1653. Ceramic masterpieces are still produced there today with great craftsmanship and precision."
Gold stamps are not new. There have been several before, and I have one of them in my collection. But they are not normally created for postage and I think this one is another stamp that has been made to be collectable. You won't see many of these on letters in the Netherlands. The stamp is selling for £43.48, so not something I can really afford.
Novelty stamps are fine and there is a place for them. This one is quite nice and Deflt Blue is historically important in the Netherlands. I am not sure why this stamp had to be made from 24-carat gold although this is the second gold stamp the Netherlands have issued this year - the first was, strangely, for Garfield in June.
This seems an even less suitable subject for a gold stamp than Delft Blue, which is at least a luxury historical brand.
Design Quality: I think the basic design is very good. The blue and white pattern is very typical of Delft Blue and while I think the gold has been added to make it more collectable and expensive, it is also true that several Delft Blue items had gold handles or gold trim. The gold makes the brand feel very expensive and luxurious. The famous logo is included so no-one has any doubts what it is about. 7/10
Theme and Subject Choice: Delft Blue became very popular in the 17th century and Delftware is part of the Netherland's cultural and artistic heritage. For that reason it is a good choice for a stamp but I should point out that it has been on several previous Netherlands stamps.
Earlier this year there was even a Delft Blue ceramic stamp!
So while I think this is a good subject choice for a Dutch stamp, I don't know if there needed to be yet another stamp on this theme. It just feels like a way of making money from the popularity of Delft Blue and appealing to collectors who like novelty stamps. 6/10 Historical and Cultural Relevance: Delft Blue is very historically relevant to the Netherlands. But does it need so many stamps dedicated to it? Is Post NL just cashing in on this historical and cultural relevance? 9/10 Innovation and Creativity: It's a novelty stamp but not a particularly imaginative one. Gold stamps are not that unusual. The ceramic stamp was more inventive. The design is quite good as it is a very clear tribute to Delft Blue but it is also VERY similar to the Delft Blue perfume bottle.
So it's just copying from the brand's trademarks and not particularly creative in my view. 6/10
Collectability: I definitely think these novelty stamps are collectable, otherwise Post NL wouldn't be creating them. They know they bring in money. Delft Blue will have fans all over the world just as Wedgewood and Royal Doulton do. 8/10
Personal Appeal: I like the idea of a gold stamp but I don't like the price! I also like the Delft Blue but I am not sure it needs quite so many stamps! 7/10
Overall Score: 43/60
Briefly, I will also provide scores for the Delft Ceramic and Garfield stamps, which are both from earlier this year.
DELFT BLUE CERAMIC STAMP
Design Quality: This stamp is a thin tile with a classic Delph Blue style pattern. The typesetting / font is a good fit for a traditional design. 7/10
Theme and Subject Choice: Delft Blue has become a common theme for Dutch stamps but this is different as it is a ceramic stamp. Post NL says "[we are] breaking entirely new ground in the field of philately, adding a unique collector’s item to the already rich history of Dutch postage stamps. The Delft Blue Ceramic Stamp is therefore both a historic novelty and a collector’s item." So it's not a bad subject choice but it seems to be trying to create more and more unusual "collector's items" on the same theme. 6/10
Historical and Cultural Relevance: Delftware is historically and culturally relevant although, as I have said, has been the subject of a lot of recent issues. 9/10
Innovation and Creativity: As Post NL says, this is a novelty stamp, but it is more creative than the gold stamp. Creating the Netherlands' first ceramic stamp is genuinely innovative. 9/10
Collectability: The ceramic stamp will be collectable to people who are interested in Delph Blue or collectors who like unusual things. 7/10
Personal Appeal: At around £14 it's a lot cheaper than the gold stamp and feels like more of an authentic tribute. 8/10
Overall Score: 46/60
GARFIELD GOLD STAMP
Design Quality: It's a picture of Garfield, the famous cartoon cat, against a gold background. Obviously Post NL needed to work with Paramount to create this, but it doesn't feel like a lot of thought has gone into the design. It's just a common image of Garfield on a gold background. I think it looks a bit "cringe", really. It's like something from a sticker book. 2/10
Theme and Subject Choice: Garfield is not an obvious choice for a Dutch stamp. 1/10
Historical and Cultural Relevance: Not huge, but more than you might think! Garfield is an American creation but it has been popular in the Netherlands for many years. 2/10
Innovation and Creativity: The innovation is all around the novelty element of the gold stamp. However, this really isn't all that unusual. It doesn't feel like an appropriate subject for a gold stamp. 1/10
Collectability: Garfield fans will like it. I'm not sure anyone else will be interested at almost £45 a stamp. 2/10
Personal Appeal: I think it's dreadful and just created to make money from Garfield fans. 0/10 Overall Score: 8/60
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