door It is not every day that an envelope is a true work of art and that it is offered at a stamp auction.
Of course, stamps are often also small works of art, but absolutely not unique. Hundreds of thousands to millions of a stamp design are made.
It does happen more often that an envelope is decorated, but rarely by famous artists. The envelope that is auctioned on 30 November is particularly special. This is a so-called postal stationery (an envelope with an imprinted stamp) with a watercolour by the famous Amsterdam watercolourist Herman M. J. Misset, on which he wrote: ‘Jan Olieslagers flight above Helpman seen from Haren 14.8.10 7:00 p.m.’
Groningen Flying Week
In 1910, the people of Groningen were introduced to aircraft for the first time. The Groningen Flying Week took place in Helpman from 10 to 14 August 1910. The famous Belgian aviator Jan Olieslagers came (by train) to Groningen to demonstrate his plane (a Blériot). The enthusiasm in Helpman (since 1915 the city of Groningen) was great and one result of that was the creation of an aircraft industry with the launch of the Helpman in 1911.
Misset
Herman M.J. Misset (1875-1958) was a well-known figure in Amsterdam. He captured many neighborhoods and cityscapes of the city, often commissioned by the Amsterdam Municipal Archives. At a certain period (as in this watercolor) he signed with Herm: M.J. Missät. When he died, his name was Missét. Misset completely provided the envelope (with an imprinted stamp of Queen Wilhelmina of 5 cents) with a watercolor. He stayed (according to the sender’s entry on the back) in Helpman. He probably traveled to Helpman especially for the air show. The envelope was stamped in Helpman on August 15, 1910 and sent to a family member in Amsterdam.
The envelope with watercolor will be auctioned at René Hillesum Filatelie in Zwijndrecht on November 30. www.filatelist.com 078-6101520.
