Netherlands 1953 Provisional Overprint Flood Aid 1953

From Stamps of the World
  • Issue Date : February 10, 1953
  • Designed by : Hartz and Van Krimpen
  • Printed by : Joh Enschedé Haarlem
  • Print Process : Photogravure and Letter press
  • Perforation : 13.50 : 12.75
  • Valid for postage: until December 31, 1954
  • Info: The 1953 North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm at the end of Saturday, 31 January 1953 and morning of the next day. The storm surge struck the Netherlands, north-west Belgium, England and Scotland. A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm over the North Sea caused a storm tide. The combination of wind, high tide, and low pressure caused the sea to flood land up to 5.6 metres (18.4 ft) above mean sea level. Most sea defences facing the surge were overwhelmed, causing extensive flooding.

On the night of 31 January – 1 February 1953, many dykes in the province of Zeeland, the southern parts of the province of South Holland and the northwestern parts of the province of North Brabant proved unable to resist the combination of spring tide and a northwesterly storm. On both the islands and the mainland, large areas of the country were flooded. More than 1800 people were killed.


Postage Stamps

10ct + 10ct Aid to Flood disaster. Original stamp from emission 1949.
One of the many misprints.

First Day Cover

FDC with special cancel mark.