Spain

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The first stamps of Spain were issued on 1 January 1850 and depicted Queen Isabella II. Two designs were used: the 6c stamp of 1850, also known as the Spanish penny black', shows a profile of the queen facing left; and the other denominations use a similar profile facing right. Her features graced most Spanish stamps until her abdication in 1868.

To avoid defacing the features of Isabella, an unusual postmark was devised which was intended to frame her portrait, the "Arana" (Spider), which became mandatory on January 24, 1850 and leaves a large open space in the center.


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Stamps of 1c and 3c were issued in April, 1853 featuring the city's coat of arms. These stamps were typographed in bronze, which was the first time metallic ink had been used in the production of stamps.



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Fear of forgery caused the postal authorities to change the designs of the stamps at annual intervals, with only a few exceptions. Spain produced a total of 285 different stamps in the first twenty years involving twenty nine distinct designs. Early collectors shied away from Spanish stamps because of this prodigious output, although by modern standards we would have to classify this number of issues as modest.
The brother of Ferdinand, Carlos, the first pretender, fought seven years, during the minority of Isabella, to dispute her title. Supporters of Carlos and his descendants were known as Carlists and the dispute over the succession was the subject of a number of Carlist Wars in the 19th century.

 

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Her authoritarianism, her religious fanaticism, her alliance with the military and the chaos of her reign - sixty different governments - helped bring about the Revolution of 1868 that exiled her to Paris. She abdicated in 1870. 



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Amadeo I (30 May 1845 – 18 January 1890) was the only King of Spain from the House of Savoy. He was the second son of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy and was known for most of his life as the Duke of Aosta, but reigned briefly as King of Spain from 1870 to 1873.



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Isabella abdicated in 1870 in favour of her son, Alfonso XII, who ruled beginning in 1874. Even though Isabella eventually returned to Spain, she never again exerted much political power or influence.


Classic Spanish Stamps on Stamps.

More Classic Spanish Stamps on Stamps -  with images.

Spain Resources