Netherlands Antilles (Curacao)

1873 Scott 5 25c brown orange "King William III"

Quick History
Curacao is an island off the Venezuelan coast, and has been in the hands of the Dutch (with brief ownership by the British and French) since 1634. The Dutch West India Company founded the capital of Willemstad on a natural harbor, and commerce, shipping, salt mining, piracy, and slave trade ensued. Slave trade was abolished in 1863.

After the Napoleonic wars in 1815, the island became the colony of Curacao and Dependencies (Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saba) , which lasted until 1936.

Curacao in the Lesser Antilles

Oil was discovered in 1914, and, with the Royal Dutch Shell company installing an oil refinery, the economy of the island changed significantly.

Between 1936-48, the area was known as the Territory of Curacao, and after 1948, as the Netherlands Antilles. Recently (2010), the "Netherlands Antilles" grouping was dissolved, and Curacao is now a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Curacao

The population was 122,000 in 1943.

Note: The  "Netherlands Antilles" name is favored in the current Scott catalogues, and also is used  in the '69 edition and later Big Blues. But the earlier Big Blues had the colony as "Curacao".  And, during the classical era, the colony was organized as "Curacao and Dependencies". So, the blog post will use "Curacao" as the preferred name.

1902 Scott 27 25c on 25c carmine & blue

"Queen Wilhelmina"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue, has, for the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao)  1873-1939, 140 regular, 17 air post, and 30 postage due major stamp descriptions. Total = 187. Of those, 89, or 48%, are CV <$1-$1+. The earlier 1873-1908 classical issues tend to be more in the $3-$20 range, providing a nice selection.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Cents = 1 Gulden

1873 Scott 1b 2 1/2c green "William III"

Perf 14, small holes

The first seven stamp issue for Curacao was released between 1873-79 with the above design. The frame is different than the similar Netherlands issue- and I actually think it looks better. ;-) CV is $5-$50+.  The minor number "small holes" perf variety is shown here.

1886 Scott 8 12 1/2c yellow "William III"

Four additional stamps with the preceding design where issued between 1886-89.  Stamps were issued without gum until 1890.

1889 Scott 14 2c violet "Numeral"

In 1889, a five stamp "Numeral" issue was produced. These have a modest CV of $1-$4+.

1893 Scott 21 15c rose "Queen Wilhelmina"

With the death of William III, young Wilhelmina became Queen, although her mother, Queen Emma, acted as regent until 1898. A five stamp set was released between 1892-96. The CV is again an affordable $1+-$6+.

1904 Scott 36 10c slate "Wilhelmina"

Between 1904-08, a thirteen stamp issue with "Numerals" (shown elsewhere on the blog post), and this portrait of the young queen was produced. The Queen had married Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1901. She had two miscarriages and a stillborn, until Juliana was born in 1909, much to great relief.

1915 Scott 60 12 1/2c blue "Wilhelmina"

A large 28 stamp issue was produced between 1915-33, with "Numerals" (Shown elsewhere), and with the adult queen placed in front of the sea and a sailing vessel. Regal, Yes? A similar portrait was used for Suriname.

1915 Scott 70 50c green 

"Queen Wilhelmina", engraved

The higher values of the preceding issue were engraved, and had the portrait, as shown. CV for the entire issue ranges from <$1-$20.

1927 Scott 89 12 1/2c on 75c gray brown

Types of Netherlands Marine Insurance Stamps

Inscribed "CURACAO", black surcharge

A seven stamp set, using a type of marine insurance stamps, was surcharged as illustrated in 1927.  

1928 Scott 104 30c deep green

"Queen Wilhelmina"

The mature queen had an eleven stamp set released between 1928-30.  A large passenger liner is shown in the lower panel, implying travel ( or commerce).  I couldn't find out if Wilhelmina ever visited Curacao- does a reader know?

1933 Scott 109 6c deep orange 

"William the Silent"

In 1933, a single stamp was released for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Prince William I, Count of Nassau, and Prince of Orange. Apparently, he was also quite taciturn.

1934 Scott 117 12 1/2c bister brown

"Jacob Binckes"

For the 3rd Centenary of the founding of the colony, a large 17 stamp issue with six subjects was issued. Jacob Binkes renamed New Amsterdam "New York" in 1664, he was part of two Dutch invasions of England in 1667, and defeated the French fleet in the First Battle of Tobago in 1677.

Jacob Binkes by Nicolaes Maes

It is clear that the stamp image was modeled after this painting.

1936 Scott 137 21c dark gray 

"Queen Wilhelmina"

Forty-six years into her reign, the Queen was featured (along with numerals for the lower denominations) on this seventeen stamp issue produced in 1936. More wise than beautiful at this stage....

1931 Scott C14 70c black "Allegory, Flight"

Between 1931-39, a "Flight" allegory design was issued on thirteen stamps. I like the posthorn on the helmet.    ;-)

Deep Blue

1892-96 Queen Wilhelmina issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 11 pages for the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), and follows the Scott catalogue for numbering sequence. Very easy. ;-)

1904 Scott 34 5c rose red "Numeral"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 73 spaces for the stamps of Curacao. No coverage of the Postal Due stamps is included. Total coverage is 39%.

• Coverage is "reasonable" for a two page allotment, but I did find an additional 37 stamps (15 postage due) that were CV <$1-$1+,and not in Big Blue.
• Expensive stamps ($10+) are only in two spaces.

Checklist

1873
1,3,(6),

1889-90
13,14,15,16,17,

1892-93
19,20,21,22,23,

1903-08
36,37,40,

1901
27,

1903-08
30,31,32,33,34,

1902
29,

1915-26
45,46,47,48,49,50,54,
56,(52),70,(71),(55),58,
60 or 61,62,64,66,67,68,69,

Next Page

1923
75,76,

1928
96,97,98,100,

1933
109,

1934
110,111,112,113,114,
115,116,117,

1936
132,133,134,

1936
127,128,

1938
144,145,146,

1936
129,(130),

Air Post
1931-39
C4,C5,C6,C7,(C8),

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1873 Scott 3 5c rose ($10+)
1915 Scott (71) 1 1/2g violet ($10+)
B) (   ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1920 Scott 47 1 1/2c blue "Numeral"

Out of the Blue

I find Netherlands designed stamps nice indeed, and having a Dutch Caribbean colony, such as Curacao, to collect is a pleasant bonus.

Note: Maps, pic of Willemstad, pic of Jacob Binkes,  appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

Willemstad