door The Watersnoodramp was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the Netherlands.
In the night of 31 January and 1 February 1953, there was a combination of northwesterly storm and spring tide. This combination led to record high rising water levels.
After the Second World War, many dikes were poorly maintained and were overtopped by water or simply broke. The disaster took place in the southwestern part of the country (mainly the provinces of Zeeland, Zuid-Holland and western part of Noord-Brabant.
The impact was enormous. Over 1800 people died (mainly in Zeeland) and over 100,000 people had to leave their house. Also, the infrastructure collapsed and roads and railways were affected.
Also, the postal service in the flooded area was difficult, impossible or interrupted.
The Dutch P.T.T. issued on 9 February a special stamp with a surcharge of 10c. However, this stamp looks like an overprinted 10c stamp Juliana En Face, it isn’t. It was a complete new production.
There even has been one reprint, according to the Handboek Postwaarden Nederland (C61). As can be seen, there is a slight, but clear, difference in orange colour.
Also some other countries (and Dutch overseas possessions) issued special stamps with a surcharge.
