Belgium year 1895 Numeral Postage due – Porto stamps

Belgium 1895 Numeral Postage due – Porto stamps lot MNH- stamps set

The Belgium 1895 Numeral Postage Due stamps, also known as “Porto” stamps, were issued to collect postage due on underpaid mail. They typically featured a simple numeral design to indicate the value owed.

Key characteristics of these stamps include:

• Design: The stamps bear a prominent numeral at the center, representing the amount due, with text that usually includes “Port” (French) or “Porto” (Flemish) to indicate postage due.
• Colors and Denominations: These stamps came in different denominations, with various colors assigned to each value. The idea was to make it easy for postal clerks to determine the fee quickly.
• Usage: Postage due stamps were not sold to the public like regular stamps; they were applied by postal authorities to indicate additional payment required from the recipient of an underpaid letter or parcel.

Belgium issued several series of postage due stamps over the years, and the 1895 series is one of the more notable early issues, reflecting the country’s bilingual nature and the practical needs of its postal system at the time. Collectors often appreciate these stamps for their historical context and straightforward yet functional design.