The stamp on this cover created controversy initially. On the background of the stamp behind the picture of the lady is a small image of Den Helder Lighthouse. This is a personalized stamp issued by PostNL.
Many thanks to Jaap for sending me this cover. I am glad that it was delivered without too much of a problem at this end.
An explanatory note to the readers
A postage stamp design that was rejected because it showed
too much of a woman’s breast has been approved after the artist pasted the word
‘censored’ over the offending area.
Artist Ap Kooistra and stamp dealer Cees van der Wel
submitted the portrait of a blonde woman in a transparent blouse via PostNL’s
website. The woman has the slogan ‘I love Den Helder’ tattooed over the top of
her left breast.
However, PostNL said the design was a ‘provocative image’ as
defined by the law on postal communications, which says stamp must not be offensive,
insulting or immoral. It is understood that Kooistra’s work was turned down because
the nipples were visible under the blouse.
Van der Wel described the controversy as the ‘nipplegate of Den Helder’ and
resubmitted the portrait with a black strip and the word ‘Censuur’ covering the
woman’s nipples. PostNL has now approved the design
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