NETHERLANDS

NETHERLANDS / NEDERLAND.

450th anniversary of the Council of State (Raad van State).
Maps of Netherlands in 1531 and 1981.
Stamp issued on 01.10.1981.
Face value: 65 cents of Dutch guilder.
Printing: Photogravure.
Print: 63,421,000 copies.
Size: 26 x 37 mm.

Catalogues
- AFA No. 1190.
- Michel No. 1188.
- NVP No. 1227. 
- Scott No. 615.
- StampWorld No. 1188.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1364.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1158.

The Council of State (Raad van State) is a constitutionally established advisory body in the Netherlands for the government and the States General. It is officially made up of members of the royal family and members appointed by the Crown. It was founded in 1531. It is what is commemorated on this stamp. When in 1581 the Duke of Anjou became temporarily recognized as the new sovereign of the Dutch rebel provinces, a new Council of State was appointed to replace Philip II of Spain as the supreme authority of the Dutch Republic.