Belgium – Leopold II issues

These are the issues of Leopold II, 1849-1911.

 File:Belgium 10c first.jpg|1849 10c value. Cancels are normally quite heavy. File:Belgium 20c number 4.jpg|1850 20c value. File:Belgium 5c 1866.jpg|1866 5c arms. File:Belgium 20c 1867.jpg|1867 20c value. File:Belgium 1c 1869.jpg|1869 1c value. File:Belgium 10c 1869.jpg|1869 10c value. 
 * Belgium's first stamps were issued in 1849, two values showing King Leopold II and POSTES with the denomination only. Reprints exist on unwatermarked paper.
 * This was followed in 1849-50 with 3 values now with a portrait in an oval frame. These come with two different watermarks, unwatermarked and beginning in 1863, perfed versions.
 * Beginning in 1865 a design with a profile portrait was issued. Reprints exist imperf.
 * In 1866-67, a design with a small lion rampant was released.
 * Beginning in 1869, new definitives were issued, the low values with a numeral in a fancy frame, the other with profile portraits of a heavily bearded Leopold II. 3 more values were added in 1875 including a 5fr value that has been fairly accurately forged by a number of sources. These finally had the country name BELGIQUE.

 File:Belgium 25 1893.jpg|1893 25c definitive. File:Belgium 1897 semi.jpg|1897 10c Brussels Exhibition. File:Belgium 10c Leopold.jpg|1905 10c Leopold. 
 * The 1883 issue showed a portrait with a slightly trimmed beard.
 * 1884 saw a return to the long beard in new designs.
 * this was followed by added values released in 1886-91, with a 35c value inscribed POSTES BELGIQUE / BELGIE POSTERIJEN
 * Beginning in 1893, the first stamps with Dominical labels were issued, slightly different designs from before. Used stamps can be found with labels removed as intended.
 * The Antwerp Exhibition (1894) and Brussels Exhibition (1896-97) commemoratives followed.
 * New definitive designs followed beginning in 1905, again with Dominical labels.
 * In 1910, a semipostal set was released; in 1911 overprinted "1911" and "CHARLEROI - 1911". These have been forged.

Back of the book issues from this period will be found here. with parcel post issued found here.

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