I like doing the two Andorra stamp programs back-to-back. They offer a fun perspective on the shared, but different cultures for Andorra (sp) and Andorra (fr). Their respective post offices offer wildly different approaches to stamp issues. Andorra (fr) is very small with just single stamps & sheets; Andorra (sp) goes all out in a celebration of FDCs, ATMs, cancels and of course stamps.
The major difference is less the number of stamps than the availability of information on designers and artists. France’s La Poste offers up details on the designers, engravers, artists and assorted tidbits. But Spain is … parsimonious. They also make me work a bit harder to pull all the issues together onto one page, which means sometimes I miss an issue and have to go back and insert it. This often happens with ATM stamps. So if something is missing, I was likely chasing a shiny new stamp and forgot to go back and check that everything was listed correctly.
Despite this lack, there is a lot to enjoy. This year I’ve worked a little more to make sure all the ATMS and covers are posted, something lacking in previous years. I’ll find time to go back and top up 2022 and 2021 later because the covers tie each series together. I see them as a unified set. If you are a cancel hound, Andorra and Spain offer a rich hunting ground. The Spanish post office ranks among the top 10 countries for cancel designs. It on pare with Japan, France and Peru for their beautifully rendered cancels. While not as highly detailed as Japan’s, Spain (and Andorra) both offer some of the most whimsical designs as well as tiny illustrations that are easily recognisable.
It would be nice to learn more about the designers behind this series, and if I get lucky, I’ll share it with you. In the meantime, enjoy Andorra’s 2023 program.
January
Flag and Coat of Arms
Topics: flags
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset + foil
Andorra begins each year with the Andorra flag and coat of arms.
Release date: January 16, 2023
February
60th Anniversary of VPC Andorra
Topics: sports
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Voluntaris de Protecció Civil Andorra Rugby XV Inici (rugbyandorra.com)
Release date: February 17, 2023
March
Judit Gaset – Refugi de la memòria oblidada / Refuge from forgotten memory
Topics: Contemporary Art
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Correos dedica un segell a l’artista plàstica i escultora Judit Gaset (viurealspirineus.cat)
Correos dedicates a stamp to the plastic artist and sculptor Judit Gaset (viurealspirineus.cat)
Gaset’s artwork previously appeared on Andorra (fr) stamps 2021 The Game of Time and 2022 Ferris Wheel at Luna Park, Prada Casadet.
Release date: March 24, 2023
April
Quima Calvó, Pioneer of the Women’s Vote
Topics: history | women’s rights
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Joaquima Calvó Santuré
El Mirador del país: Ca la Quima in Santa Coloma (diariandorra.ad) has an excellent, brief bio on Calvó
Calvó, a woman who defined herself as “self-made”, lived for twenty years in France, where she learned the language and the trade. He moved to the Principality of Andorra in the early 60s, becoming a reference of Andorran gastronomy, mixing typical mountain dishes and French cuisine. Over the years, well-known figures have stopped by his restaurant to taste his delicious dishes.
In addition, Quima is remembered for being the promoter of the female vote in the 60s. Her restaurant hosted secret women’s meetings, winning women’s suffrage in 1971.
Andorran Dones stamp. Quima Calvó, pioneer of women’s vot | Correos Market
Release date: April 14, 2023
Smoky Redtail – Cotxa Fumada
Topics: fauna | birds
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Smoky Redtail – Cotxa Fumada (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Release date: April 21, 2023
May
EUROPA 2023 – Peace, the greatest value of Humanity
Topics: EUROPA
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
All participating countries used the common design, Peace Knot, by Luxemburg designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir.
Release date: May 9, 2023
June
Camí Ral de la Massana
Topics: history | landscape
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Camí Ral de la Massana winds between runs between la Vella and La Massana. The main river Valira de Oriente cuts through the area, offering a sanctuary for wildlife, crossed by around 25 kilometers winding roads.
Discover La Massana, a parish rich in cultural heritage (visitandorra.com)
Release date: June 12, 2023
Falles del Solstici d’Estiu – Popular Festivals
Topics: ATM Label | festivals
1 ATM label, cancel, FDC, postcard
Falles. Una vall amb tradicions ancentrals | Vall de Boí (vallboi.cat)
The festival of the Fallas is a UNESCO recognised Intangible Heritage event, as of 2015.
The festival is considered a time for regenerating social ties and strengthening feelings of belonging, identity and continuity with celebrations including popular folklore and communal dining. Summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees – intangible heritage – Culture Sector – UNESCO
Release date: June 20, 2023
Fairs – Casa de la Vall
Release date: June 21, 2023
Casa de la Vall
Topics: ATM Label | architecture | history
1 ATM label, cancel, FDC, postcard
Casa de la Vall dates to the 16th century, and became the seat of the General Council of Andorra in 1702. A house with history — La Casa de La Vall
Release date: June 20, 2023
July
30th Anniversary of the Accession of Andorra to the United Nations and UNESCO
Topics: history | UN | UNESCO
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Andorra gained membership Feb. 21, 1995
Release date: July 6, 2023
Plane Tree (Platanus sp)
Topics: flora
1 stampon souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Release date: July 21, 2023
September
Álex Lliteras – Journalist
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Journalist Àlex Lliteras dies (diariandorra.ad)
Release date: September 14, 2023
Cable Car d’Engolasters
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Release date: September 26, 2023
October
Diverse Andorra – Jewish Community
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Release date: October 16, 2023
Giants of Sant Julià de Lòria
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Release date: October 26, 2023
November
Museums – Program Activities
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Release date: November 15, 2023
Christmas – Torró
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
One of the most divine Christmas treats is Spanish nougat. There are two types of Alicante or hard and Jijona, soft. Of the two, jijona is superior, especially when paired with a strong espresso.
Of the various theories that have been formulated about its origin, the most plausible is the one that assigns the sweet to the Arabian Peninsula, where sweets made with nuts and honey are typical. Its subsequent spread reached other areas of the Mediterranean basin such as North Africa, Italy or southern France.
The arrival in the Iberian Peninsula coincided with the incursions of the Arabs and the establishment of Al-Andalus, taking root especially in the southern regions of the Valencian Community, especially in Alicante and Jijona. There are documentary traces of the production of nougat in Sexona, now Jijona, since the fourteenth century. Other documents mention nougat as part of the wedding menu of one of King James I’s daughters. Stamps – Nadal. Torró. (correos.es)
Spanish Nougat for Christmas: How Turron Became the Holiday Staple (yummybazaar.com)
Release date: November 16, 2023
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