Netherlands year 1956 Summer Olympic games stamps Melbourne MNH
The Netherlands issued a commemorative set of five semi-postal stamps in 1956 for the XVI Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.1
These stamps are semi-postal, meaning part of the price paid for the stamp was a surcharge intended to raise funds for the Olympic movement.2
Key Details of the Set:
- Event Commemorated: XVI Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia (1956).3
- Issue Date: August 27, 1956.4
- Number of Stamps: 5 stamps in the set.
- Type: Semi-Postal (indicated by the face value format: postage value + surcharge).5
- Designer: Pieter Wetselaar.6
- Theme: The designs of the stamps generally feature different ancient Greek vases and art, often depicting a specific sport from the games.
Denominations and Designs:
The stamps feature the following face values and designs:
| Denomination | Design/Sport Depicted (from Ancient Greek Art) | Colors | Scott Catalog No. |
| 2 + 3 c | Sailing (Sailing vessel/ship) | Red Brown & Blue-Green | B296 |
| 5 + 5 c | Athletics (Discus Thrower) | Red Brown & Blue-Green | B297 |
| 7 + 5 c | Athletics (Running) / Ancient Greek Vase | Black & Red-Brown | B298 |
| 10 + 5 c | Hockey (Figures playing a ball game) | Black & Blue-Green | B299 |
| 25 + 8 c | Water Polo (Swimmers/Water sport) | Black & Deep Blue | B300 |
Note on Netherlands’ Participation:
It is a historical note that, while the Netherlands issued this stamp set to celebrate the Games, the Dutch team actually boycotted the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in protest of the Soviet Union’s intervention in the Hungarian Revolution just before the games were held.7
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