An interplanetary postal service? bpost turns the spotlight on Belgian space exploration with new stamps

Space and the universe have inspired wonder and fired the imagination since time immemorial. Now bpost sets its sights on the planets in our solar system and on the James Webb Space Telescope in a new ‘1 Universe’ stamp issue. And in a highly original twist, the stamps are round, just like the planets they depict.

The stamp sheetlet also has its own special tariff – ‘1 UNIVERSE’ – surely a logical next step, considering the theme, in line with the regular bpost tariffs ‘Belgium’, ‘Europe’ and ‘World’. So in theory, you could use it to send a letter to Saturn, say... well, at least in your imagination.

Belgian researchers are trying to find life

The Institute of Astronomy at KU Leuven is conducting trailblazing science that may one day bring interplanetary post a step closer. Astrophysicist Leen Decin studies worlds beyond our solar system. “Among the planets depicted on the stamps are those around the dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, a discovery by Michaël Gillon at the University of Liege. A few of these planets are in the habitable zone, where the temperature is favourable to liquid water. We are currently checking whether these planets are able to hold on to an atmosphere.” Water and an atmosphere would increase the chances of life. The findings of the study are expected later this year.

💡 bpost stamp printers: a European leader
​bpost has been printing stamps at its Stamps Production plant in Mechelen for 155 years now. It is one of the last working stamp printing facilities in Europe, so many foreign postal services have their stamps printed there too. They include the issues of Portugal, Guernsey and even the Vatican State. More than a hundred million stamps roll off the presses in Mechelen every year, with print runs remaining steady.

Focus on nature and surrealism too

One of the other new stamp issues from bpost available from 26 August features four natural phenomena that emit light: the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, the firefly, Noctiluca scintillans and fluorite, a mineral. The special ink used on the stamps in this Bioluminescence issue ensures that they also glow in the dark.

2024 also marks a century of surrealism in Belgium. To celebrate it, bpost issues a five-stamp sheetlet showcasing works by Paul Delvaux, Marcel Mariën, Pol Bury, Jane Graverol and Roger Van de Wouwer. The last four artists have never been featured on a stamp.

In the fourth and last sheetlet, sculptor Tom Frantzen gives his figures a surrealist quality. The bronzing effect on his sculptures adds extra lustre to his stamp issue.

❓Available when and where?
​- At the advanced sale on 24 August in Maasmechelen (Stamp Club K.V.B.P. ORVAL)
​- At bpost e-shop from 26 August
​- At the Brussels Brouckère and Mechelen Philaboutiques from 26 August
​- The “100 years of Belgian surrealism” issue is also available to buy at all post offices from 26 August