Chapter 1 – Introduction, setting the scene
It is 63 years since the Van Acker issue of stamps and postal stationery surcharged -10% occurred. Some background to conditions in Belgium, which caused a general 10% price reduction in May 1946, is most necessary.
Philatelically, this event was unique. The government printer (l’Atelier du Timbre at Malines) normally undertook the production and issue of any given series whether surcharged or not. The Belgium government decided on 16 May 1946, due to the urgency dictated by the socio-economic conditions, to reduce postage amongst other government charges as of 20 May. Surcharging of existing stocks -10% was effected then by some 580 different “printers”.
The latter, consisting of an important number of offices in the Belgian Postal System, surcharged provisionally a series of three postage stamps COB 691, 693 & 696, as well as single and reply-paid postal cards, with a -10% cachet. This was done in a more orderly manner later by l’Atelier du Timbre at Malines (COB 724R, S & T).
In 1945 and 1946 there was great political instability. Belgium was trying to get on its feet after the effects of World War II with the German occupation. Achille Van Acker, as Prime Minister, formed three coalition governments, initially of 4 parties, then 3; this over a total period of 18 months. The Social Accord, which had been discussed during the war, and also the necessary monetary reform arranged by the Government then exiled in London, were unravelling due to coal miners’ illegal strikes and other economic pressures, notably a thriving black market and serious inflation.
1.1 Historical background
To better understand what occurred, let Achille Van Acker set the historical scene using his own words:
Pictured above: Achille Van Acker – photo taken later when he was Minister of Communications
“In May 1946, the Government, at my suggestion, decided to lower prices by 10%. I did not reckon that one day, I would be asked to explain the reason to philatelists.
“When in February 1945, the Regent charged me to form a government, the price index was 1000, that of salaries 160. Also the purchasing power of the franc was very low. It was necessary to raise it on one hand, by increasing our imports of foodstuffs in order to exceed the quantity of goods on the black market, by the official market; the other part by lifting production in all sectors in order to assist the Allies in their war effort and also to obtain foreign currency to finance our imports.
“To succeed, this plan necessitated restarting a large part of our currently paralysed industries by events, which preceded the liberation of territory and above all by the lack of coal.
“It was necessary to win the coal battle. It was won in the time prescribed and within limits laid down. The situation of the country improved rapidly: the price index fell, that for salaries rose, without speaking of adjustments prudently carried out. Never-the-less, the gap between salaries and prices remained sensible. Workers reclaimed their right to new wage rises, because their standard of living was seriously below pre-war levels.
“Taking stock of the production possibilities then, I am sure that all salary increases caused price rises: the operation finished with a decline rather than an increase in purchasing power. The only effective remedy was to lower prices.
“I advanced the proposition at the National Work Conference. The delegates of both employers and workers thus approved it for the whole country: I felt their great gratitude.
“I pay homage to all the workers for their maturity, which they have shown since the Liberation. They have largely contributed to the stability of the franc. If they had demanded salary rises without considering the economic and financial repercussions, our money would have crumbled like all the others. The war decimated Belgium’s working class. Today more than yesterday, the workers can take responsibility for the conduct of public affairs and private enterprise.
“In the world of tomorrow, where work will occupy first place, where learning and education of people will go hand in hand, all mankind will be both citizens of their country and of the world: this country is worth the price.
“In the world of culture, philately is an important factor. It touches all branches of human knowledge: It constitutes the hub of interest, around which the sciences, arts, history, geography, the political economy and sociology gravitate…”
A. Van Acker, former Prime Minister.
Minister for Communications (1948)
His son later gave a further explanation:
“The Belgian Government strove directly after WW2 by dint of a great effort to relaunch the country’s economy. In all the measures undertaken during this time, we recall the price reduction of 10%.
“Under the leadership of my father, who was then Prime Minister, this decision was executed promptly.
“When this decision was announced, there certainly had not been any philatelists, who would have foreseen that this measure would form the basis for an exceptional stamp collection.
“Service Note 20 prescribing that ‘-10%’ would be applied to the whole stock of stamps by 20 May 1946 only arrived at post offices (late) on 17 May 1946! Despite the zeal of l’Atelier du Timbre at Malines to furnish all post offices with the necessary surcharged material, many post offices were obliged to employ whatever means was available to apply the surcharges.
“That resulted in a not negligible diversity of stamps being sold by post offices….”
Frank Van Acker (1978)
Chief Magistrate of Bruges
The daily newspaper Le Soir of 19 May 1946 published:
Change to the principal postage rates from 20 May 1946
We may read in part (for the new rates):
| Within Belgium: | letter up to 50 gm | 1.35 Fr |
| Postal card | 0.65 Fr | |
| Invoices & statements | 0.90 Fr | |
| Registration | 3.15 Fr | |
| Express post | 4.50 Fr | |
| Receipt notice | 1.35 Fr | |
| Abroad: | letter up to 50 gm | 3.15 Fr |
| Postal card | 1.75 Fr | |
| Registration | 3.15 Fr | |
| Express post | 6.30 Fr |
Also from Le Soir of 21 May 1946 we may read
Lowering of prices
The first list of products follows, for which the price will be lowered by 10%.
Then followed a non limitative list of goods and services, whether transported by sea or by national rail (except Chimay and Malines to Terneuzen Railways), for the provision of services (eg postal) to distribute industrial products throughout the land.
Besides the above list, it is well to note the sanctions applicable to infringements.
The Monitor of 19 May 1946 also published a legal decree concerning the treatment of infractions pertaining to prices for the provisioning of the country and the fixing of wages and salaries. This decree said notably that infractions would be punishable by one month to five years imprisonment and a fine of 1000 – 1 million francs.
Besides what is written above, the reader should remember the seriousness of the times when prices were lowered 10%. It was both to safeguard the country and have social peace and hence engender recovery and growth.
The basis of this issue was the -10% surcharge affixed to three current values of stamps. The post office ceaselessly reminded the Belgian public of the importance, not to say the absolute necessity, of this reduction in prices and tariffs in order to rescue the country from the economic crisis in which it found itself.
The cancel slogan reads in French and Flemish:-
“The black market threatens social peace”
Brussels 12 manuscript surcharge of 24 May 1946 – (5th day)
1.2 Provisional issue (see illustrations below)
1.2.1 Stamps for use on letters.
Of the three sets of definitives issued in 1944 after the liberation, only that showing Leopold (col ouvert type of 1936 with added V + Crown) was still being printed early 1946. The Liberation Lion series (COB 674-689 & 674A-679A), which had been printed by Waterlow & Sons in London, were obsolescent. The 1936 small State Seal design with V overprint was obsolete and only went up to 60c. To complicate matters, there existed limited stocks of some Poortman, 1943 Leopold (no V) as well as Liberation Lion stamps. Small quantities of others also appeared. Only the 1.50, 2 & 5 Fr values were decreed by the government to be surcharged, those to cover internal & external postage as well as registration & express post where required.
1.2.2 Stamps for use on obsolescent postal stationery.
Much obsolescent postal stationery, which had been printed before the September 1945 price rise, was also in post offices stocks. Some of this material had lain unsold for up to 20 years in post offices. 1946 saw the bulk of it sold to collectors – a massive clean out. Mostly 25c, 35c, 50c and 1 Fr stamps were used for this, being surcharged when affixed to each item of postal stationery – or sometimes before where we get mixed surcharges.
Existing stocks of obsolescent (no longer being printed but usable) postal stationery were surcharged locally by postmasters, mostly using the same provisional cachets, which they used for stamps. Malines mostly surcharged current postal stationery and local postmasters were forbidden (Service note 23 of 4 June 1946) to surcharge additional supplies of obsolescent postal stationery.
1.3 L’Atelier du Timbre (Malines) stamp surcharges.
It took two weeks (4 June) before stamps and current postal stationery, bearing the official government printer’s surcharge, began rolling off the presses. However as we shall see in chapter 4, it was not until mid September 1946, with the recall of all provisional surcharge cachets, that the Malines surcharges became the only surcharges available. These lasted until 1948 when the postage increase brought their usefulness to an end. Their printing essentially ended some time after the issue on 14 June 1946 of the Dover-Ostend commemorative definitives, two of the three values of which were a direct replacement for the surcharged stamps. It must be remembered that until September, l’Atelier du Timbre continued to print stamps normally for surcharging locally.
1.4 Do we need such a book?
Firstly, there is not a book, which covers many aspects of this issue. I believe it is important that such a book be written by someone of my generation, who is familiar with the subject and knows something of the background – hence the title Avant qu’il ne soit trop tard (1). If this is not done, not only will there be a great dearth of knowledge, but it will be much harder to generate, since the network of cognoscenti will have shrunk. Various people in Belgium have been involved with one or two topics of the Van Acker issue previously. A few have published their findings. This may likely be the only comprehensive book ever written about this issue.
Secondly, with the advent of desktop publishing, it is much easier to employ colour and B & W quality illustrations (see Uitgifte -10% 20.05.1946) without incurring too much cost, something unavailable to all before this same publication. There are many irregular surcharges, which need illustrating and have not yet been seen generally.
Thirdly, this will not to be catalogue. This has been well done well in two other offerings, (Berlingin & Lejeune initially and more recently by Vander Mijnsbrugge). This book is to fill out the various sections and provide a lead in English to what exists already. In other words, unify all these areas.
Lastly and may be most importantly, competition judges as well as students of the Van Acker issue, who may wish to exhibit, need a reference book to help them learn too. This lack has been a serious impediment to detailed collecting, but far worse, judges have had nothing to explain the intricacies of this issue, so they may intelligently assess a collection presented to them. Knowledge must be gleaned and recorded, or like history, if the lessons are not learned, history must be repeated. As ever, education is vital.
I hope, dear reader, that not only will you learn something about this fascinating and unique issue, but also enjoy the journey.
[1. I wish to acknowledge using the same main title as that excellent WW2 book by Henri Neuman (Document Duculot) in writing about the Belgian Resistance. I knew two people written about in Avant qu’il ne soit trop tard, Portraits de résistants – André Wendelen (also his sister, Minou) and Adelin Slosse, who was my uncle by marriage.]
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