THE POSTAL SERVICE IN
ANDORRA
The first recorded post was dated on 1828 and 1831. Its transportation
was carried on by means of private “carriers”.
Mail was entrusted to anyone moving from one place to another,
this may explain why post is free inside the country, something
unique in the world!
The postal convention of Bern does not mention Andorra. The
Spanish royal bylaw of 28 November 1927 states the set in
motion of a Spanish postal service that began the 1st January
1928.
France reacted and an agreement between both countries was
signed on June 30 and July 25, 1930. The French postal administration
opens its office on June 16, 1931.
Ever since, the Principality presents two unique particularities:
Postal service inside the country is free and, therefore,
there is no use of postal stamp, only a postmark.
Both French and Spanish postal administrations are in charge
of the management of this service. Each of them issues its
own stamps for the Principality, aimed at international post.
From january 1st, 2009 post service in the Principality is no more free. The cost of stamps in the French post (La Poste) is 0€55 and 0€32 in the Spanish post (Correos).
OBJECTIVES OF PHILANDORRE
Our association intends to attain the following goals:
To promote and develop the collection of stamps of the Principality
of Andorra, and to publish philatelic and postal studies.
To centralise and defend the philatelic interests of its members
and all the enthusiasts of this collection.
To create contacts and arrange stamps and philatelic documents
exchange among members.
To investigate, detect and fight against any counterfeits
that could bring discredit to the Andorran philately.
PHILANDORRE is a founder member of the “Comissió
Internacional de Filatèlia Andorrana” –
International Commission of Andorran Philately (C.I.F.A) including
all the national associations sharing the same goal.
PHILANDORRE has wished and participated in the creation of
the “Groupement des Associations Philatéliques
Spécialisées” – Society of Specialised
Philatelic Associations (G.A.P.S.) in the bosom of the F.F.A.P.
ACTIVITIES OF PHILANDORRE
Nowadays PHILANDORRE counts 172 members, some of them belonging to countries such as France, Andorra, Spain, Great-Britain, Germany and Italy.
A news bulletin with information about stamp and telephone card issues in both post offices (themes, dates of issue, editions…) is distributed to its members every 3 months. This publication includes also studies about the philatelic history of Andorra and articles about the cultural and tourist life in the country. It also deals with the life of the association, meeting records, notice board and some other items.
Besides, PHILANDORRE publishes studies carried out by its members. Nowadays, some 20 analysis on different themes have been edited : index on cartophily, a catalogue on Episcopal issues... and nowadays the "ready-to-post" a new spreading collection.
The INFO EXPRESS service provides members, every month, with updated information about the latest releases and discoveries.
The CIRCULATIONS service proposes the acquisition of new or used stamps.
The VENT A PRIX NET offers, every year, the opportunity of acquiring new philatelic documents usually hard to find.
During the year, several events get together all the members of the association:
The general assembly, that takes place during the Ascension week-end, and every 3 years in Andorra.
Regional exchange meetings in Paris, Collioure, Reims and Pau.
PHILANDORRE
Society of Philatelic and Postal Studies in Andorra
Member of the French Federation of Philatelic Associations
(FFap, nº 696 IC)
and the Society of Specialised Philatelic Associations (GAPS)
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
:
Monsieur Olivier SZERBOWSKI - General Secretary
14 C rue Lamartine
67300 SCHILTIGHEIM
philandorre67@orange.fr
http://philandorre.online.fr
