Postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands
This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of the Netherlands.
The postal region of the Netherlands is located in North-West Europe and comprises the whole territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Europe and until 2010 the full territory of the country the Netherlands. Four other postal regions exist in the kingdom: for Postage stamps and [postal history of Aruba|Aruba], Postage stamps and postal [history of the Caribbean Netherlands|the Caribbean Netherlands ], Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
First stamps
The first stamps of the Netherlands were issued in 1852 and depicted King William III.1931 stamps
Second World War
During the Second World War the Netherlands were occupied by Germany. Stamp issues continued and a number of semi-postal stamps were issued.Post-war
The Netherlands were liberated on 5 May 1945. The previous stamps continued in use until a new series was introduced on 1 April 1946. This series contained stamps originally issued by the Dutch Government in Exile in Britain in 1944 for use on ships of the Dutch Navy serving with the Allies of [World War II|Allies].Regular stamp issues have continued since then including several long-running definitive stamp series, numerous commemorative stamps and the regular issue of semi-postal stamps for charitable causes which has become a notable feature of Dutch philately.