To commemorate the 130th anniversary of Aruba’s postal service, on August 1, 2022, Post Aruba NV has issued a souvenirs sheet with 3 postal stamps, and a First Day Cover envelope, that were designed by Mr. Nigel Matthew.
This unique emission represents the transport of letters and packages over the past 130 years by means of images of postmen, transport-vehicles, mailboxes and envelopes.
The first postal activities on the island consisted of sending and receiving mail from boats originating from Curaçao and at times Venezuela. Garibaldi Cephas Helder received the mail that came in on the boats. The announcement of the mail’s arrival took place in the harbor of Oranjestad – all public mail had to be collected at the auxiliary post office. People used all means of transportation to pick-up their mail – horses, donkeys, boats, but most of them came on foot.
Afterwards, letters and packages did also start being transported via air by airplane.
Currently, on arrival of mail at the post office, mail is sorted and distributed by postmen to their final designated addresses.
Envelopes being scattered in the air, symbolizes the variety of directions that mail was sent to all corners of the world.
The red, white and blue borders of airmail envelopes became a recognizable trademark for “airmail”.
The different uniforms of the postmen indicate the different periods in time. The use of vehicles went from bicycle to motorcar to scooter.
The red vintage standing letterbox goes back to the early years of postal service and a few have survived and can still be seen in Aruba, while the mailbox at the entrance of homes has changed it’s shape and size over the years, but has maintained its function and has become a contemporary element in house facades.
This stamp series and First Day Cover envelope are available at all the Post Office locations, namely in Oranjestad and San Nicolas, and online on www.postaruba.com/stampshop
For more information on the “130 Years of Post Aruba” stamps serie please visit the Facebook page: Aruba Stamps or Webpage: postaruba.com/philatelic/
