Netherlands – Scott #s B139-43, hinged

Description

Netherlands Scott B139–B143 is a 1946 semipostal charity set issued under the theme “Voor het Kind” (For the Child), created to raise funds for child welfare and postwar relief in the Netherlands following World War II. Each stamp carries a mandatory surtax, placing the series firmly in the Scott B (semipostal) category.

The five-stamp set features a poignant engraved image of a young child reading, based on a classical-style artwork. The quiet, introspective portrait reflects themes of education, innocence, and rebuilding society through care for children during the immediate postwar period. Though the central design remains constant, each denomination is distinguished by a different color and value.

The surtax amounts printed on each stamp contributed directly to charitable programs benefiting children affected by wartime hardship. These stamps were valid for postage through December 31, 1946, as indicated in the inscriptions.

Offered here as a complete unused hinged set, with original gum present and hinge marks typical of mid-1940s semipostals. Colors remain fresh, impressions are clear, and perforations are intact across all five stamps.

Scott Catalog Numbers: B139–B143
Year of Issue: 1946
Condition: Unused hinged
Country: Netherlands