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Netherlands 1988 Europa CEPT 'Transportation' 75c Stamp (Scott #726) on Lelystad Rail Commemorative Cover

1988 Dutch commemorative railway cover from Lelystad with a 75c Europa stamp showing cyclists in a mirror. - view 1
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Estimated value

$2 - $8

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

Category

Stamps

Brand

PTT Post

Era

1988

Origin

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Artist / Creator

Gerd Arntz

Authenticity

Very High(90%)
52

NETHERLANDS 1988 EUROPA CEPT 'TRANSPORTATION' 75C STAMP (SCOTT #726) ON LELYSTAD RAIL COMMEMORATIVE COVER: IDENTIFICATION

A single 75-cent Netherlands stamp from the 1988 'EUROPA' series, depicting cyclists reflected in a vehicle's side mirror. The stamp is affixed to an illustrated commemorative cover celebrating the completion of the 'Flevolijn' railway extension. The cover features a matching pictorial machine cancellation from Lelystad showing a train silhouette, dated 28 May 1988.

Compare with other stamps in the archive: 10-Cent Pan-American Union Air Mail Stamp (Scott #C25), Belgian Congo, Queen Elisabeth Mask Issue (1928-1930) - 6 Francs, Belgium 1912 definitive series postage stamp, 10-centime carmine on blue frame, cancelled 'MONS S-GENERAL'.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Dutch Modernism1970-1990

The use of graphic pictograms in the rail silhouette cancel reflects the school of Dutch functionalist design common in the 1980s.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •The 'Eerste Dag' (First Day) or special event mailing ritual where collectors mail envelopes to themselves to obtain specific postal markings.

Meaning Through Time

1988

The Flevolijn symbolized the 'conquering' of the sea and the modernization of Dutch daily commuting.

POSTAL HERITAGE

The Flevolijn construction was a major Dutch infrastructure project connecting the newly reclaimed polders of Flevoland to the mainland rail network. This cover was cancelled on May 28, 1988, marking the official opening of the final segment to Lelystad. The 1988 Europa theme focused on regional ...
The Flevolijn construction was a major Dutch infrastructure project connecting the newly reclaimed polders of Flevoland to the mainland rail network. This cover was cancelled on May 28, 1988, marking the official opening of the final segment to Lelystad. The 1988 Europa theme focused on regional transportation, aligning with the Dutch advancement in rail transit.

PHILATELIC NOTES

1

The 1988 Europa stamp design purposefully uses a mirror reflection to represent the 'view back' at traditional transport like cycling while looking toward modern travel.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%
CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 13 stamps items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Moderate production runs
  • Common at estate sales
  • Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

  • Cancellation date 28 mei '88 perfectly aligns with the rail line opening and stamp issue cycle.
  • Standard PTT commemorative stationery from the period.
How does authenticity detection work?

PHILATELIST'S VERDICT

Philatelist

Stamp Specialist

The identification is highly certain due to the combination of a specific catalogued stamp, clear commemorative text, and a dated historical event cancel.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Identification of Scott #726 (75c) Europa CEPT issue.
  • 2Verification of the Lelystad railway station commemorative motif in the cancel.
  • 3Visual confirmation of the 'Flevolijn' text on the cachet (envelope illustration).
  • 4Dated machine cancel matches official rail opening date of May 28, 1988.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Inspect the reverse for any additional postal markings or backstamps.
  • →Store in an acid-free philatelic sleeve to prevent further paper oxidation.

CONDITION & GRADE

Very Fine (VF)

Grading breakdown

The cover displays a clear 'Flevolijn voltooid' pictorial cancel with even ink distribution and excellent centering of the stamp on the envelope.

Condition

The cover is in clean condition with a crisp, readable machine cancellation. The envelope shows slight characteristic toning consistent with 35-year-old paper stock but no significant tears or folding.

PHILATELIC VALUATION

$2 - $8

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Topical collectors of 'Trains on Stamps' or 'Bicycles on Stamps,' and Dutch regional history specialists.

What increases value

  • •Clean pictorial cancel without smudging
  • •Crossover appeal for railway enthusiasts
  • •Good overall paper preservation

What lowers value

  • •High mintage of these commemorative covers limits upper-end growth
  • •Minor foxing or spotting on the paper

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Unaddressed status (though this example is likely addressed or 'blank backed')
  • •Autographs from the rail project lead or the stamp designer

Grade & condition

Paper brightness, cancel clarity, and stamp perforation integrity.

Rarity & demand

OrdinaryModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar stamps objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

CA

cajavanderwoude
Wonderseeker•5 items

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