door This envelope from 1869 provides an interesting insight into the history of Neerijse Castle and the d’Overschie family. It concerns a small complete letter sent on 26 July 1869 from Roermond, the Netherlands, to Baron d’Overschie, a member of the Dutch brewing family d’Overschie. The address states that the letter is addressed to “Monsieur le Baron d’Overschie, de Neerysche au château de Neerysche, près de Louvain,” with the mention “par Weert & St. Georges” indicating the route of delivery.
Stamps and Postmark
The stamps on the envelope are two 5 cent stamps, numbered 7IIC and 7IIA according to the catalogue, indicating that the stamps come from different print runs. The letter is marked with an orange postmark from Roermond, dated 26 July 1869, with the time indication “12M 4A.” The text in the postmark provides the exact dispatch location and date, which was customary for mail items at the time.
Neerijse Castle
Neerijse Castle, to which the letter was sent, has a history dating back to the 12th century. The castle was originally a fortified motte belonging to the Abbey of Corbie. During the 17th century, it became the property of the Spanish king Philip IV and was later acquired by the d’Overschie family through purchase and marriage. Over the years, the estate underwent several renovations and redesigns, including the transformation of a hunting lodge into a residential property and the redesign of the gardens in both French and English styles.
The d’Overschie Family and Their Influence
This letter not only gives us a glimpse into 19th-century correspondence but also connects the d’Overschie family to Neerijse Castle. The family was actively involved in the development and management of the estate, and their influence is still visible today in the architecture and layout of the grounds. The fact that the letter was sent via Weert and Saint-Georges to Louvain (Leuven) also illustrates the logistics of the postal service at the time, with various routes and locations being used to ensure delivery.
Postal History and Social Status
Through this combination of postal history and the history of the castle, we gain a better understanding of the social status and networks of the d’Overschie family in the 19th century. The letter shows how postal traffic functioned as an important means of maintaining contact between the various estates and properties of influential families.
The postcard was on auction on November, 30, 2024. Lot 6433, Sheraton & Peel auction 68. René Hillesum Filatelie, Zwijndrecht.
