bpost breaks a world record on the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)
A unique postage stamp with 2024 words in microtext!
Thursday 6 June 2024The stamp, which goes on sale on June 10, contains a world-record 2024 words! The Universal Postal Union (UPU) celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. The Philately & Stamps Printing team at bpost has created a special limited edition commemorative stamp. The text on this stamp is 2024 words long, a world record!
"We are hugely proud of marking this historic anniversary with such a feat of typography,” says bpost’s philately manager Xavier Clabots. “Fitting that many words into such a small space while ensuring they are perfectly legible is an incredible challenge that our team has met brilliantly.”
Designed by bpost stamp designer Geert Wille, the stamp depicts a map of the world and a letter being delivered, symbolising both unity and international communication. It bears the statutes of the UPU in microtext* – the rules ensuring the efficient postal flows between its various member states. This feat of miniaturisation and design reflects the UPU’s importance and continued pertinence in the field of international post.
A rigorous record verification process had to be negotiated. The number of words was carefully counted and verified on March 14 and 15, in the presence of bailiff Marc Vermeulen. The preparations and counting were filmed to ensure full transparency. The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title will once again be held by bpost from June 10, the day of the official release of the postage stamp issue.
bpost’s previous record was set in connection with International Women’s Day in 2014. That time there were 606 words.
The stamps will go on advance sale at Brabantfil24.be, Trademart Brussels on 7-8 June. They will then be available at the bpost Philaboutique and at eshop.bpost.be from 10 June.
Pre-sales and first cancellations :
- Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8, 2024 at the National Philately Championship, Brabantfil24.be - Trademart BRUSSELS, atomiumlaan - ingang parking 1, 1020 Brussel
- Monday, June 10, 2024 at philaboutique - Bureau de Poste Brouckère - Rue de Laeken 1, 1000 Brussels Brussels
First-day postmark: Monday 10 June 2024 at Brussels Philaboutique Stamp details:
- Issue date: 10 June 2024
- Graphic designer: Geert Wille
- Number of words: 2024
- Theme: 150 years of the UPU
- Sheet price: €14.40
- Stamp size: 40mm x 30mm
- Sheet size: 222mm x 156mm
- Print run: 15,510 sheets
- Printing process: offset
*Microtext: Microtext is a text that is printed in a very small font that must be read with a magnifying glass. Microtext is a source of added security for invoices, coupons and other fraud-sensitive applications.
About the Universal Postal Union
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is a specialist organisation of the United Nations tasked with coordinating international postal services and systems. It was established on 9 October 1874 and has played a critical role in facilitating postal flows between countries ever since. The UPU currently has 192 members. – For more details, click here.
