On June 9, 2020, the Luxembourg Post issued two great stamps on the topic "Ancient Postal Routes" as part of the "Europe" issue.
The history of mail on the territory of modern Luxembourg dates back to the Middle Ages. Postal service here initially developed within the postal systems of Germany, France, Austria, Spain and the Netherlands, under whose control the Luxembourg County and then the Duchy were in the past.
In 1516 Charles V concluded an agreement with the famous Thurn-y-Taxis family to improve and develop postal services on the lands under his control. Four main postal routes were established, in particular a route linking the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, which passed through the north of present-day Luxembourg, with the post stations in Hoffelt and Asselborn. A map depicting this particular route serves as a background for the € 0.80 stamp. The central plot of the stamp was the image of a horse postal courier, created on the basis of an old engraving.
On the second stamp, the 1.85 euro stamp, the artist Tom Diedrich placed a modern, realistic portrayal of an 18th century postal courier. The postage route through Luxembourg also serves as a background for the stamp. In 1624, as part of the expansion of the postal network, a second route was created for communication between Brussels and Italy, passing through Pearl, and in 1680 a post office was established in Luxembourg - at the intersection with the Brussels-Vienna route. By 1701, all postal routes were finally approved and Luxembourg acquired a regular postal service with all neighboring countries.
Initially, this series of postage stamps was scheduled to be issued on June 5, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 situation, the issue was postponed to June 9, 2020. The Luxembourg Post has also prepared a first day cover. On the first day of issue postage stamps were cancelation with a special postmark with the image of an equestrian postman.
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