S480 – Spain 1959 Velázquez Complete Set Edifil 1238–1247 Mixed MNH/MH

S480 — Spain 1959, Diego Velázquez, Complete Set — Edifil 1238–1247 — Mixed MNH/MH

Identification: Spain, 24 March 1959. Diego Velázquez — Día del Sello (Stamp Day). Complete ten-value issue: 15c, 40c, 50c, 60c, 70c, 80c, 1p, 1.80p, 2p and 3p. Edifil 1238–1247. Mixed Mint Never Hinged and Mint Hinged.

Technical specifications: Photogravure (huecograbado) by Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre. Catalogue perforation 13¼, sheets of 100, reported print run 3,000,000. Perforation not independently measured.

Individual stamps and provisional conditions: Edifil 1238 (15c, Los borrachos, MNH with reverse discolouration); 1239 (40c, Las hilanderas, MNH); 1240 (50c, La rendición de Breda, MNH); 1241 (60c, Las meninas, MH); 1242 (70c, Prince Baltasar Carlos, MNH); 1243 (80c, Self-portrait, MH); 1244 (1p, Coronation of the Virgin, MNH); 1245 (1.80p, Aesop, MH); 1246 (2p, The Forge of Vulcan, MH); 1247 (3p, Menippus, MH).

Condition assessment: All ten stamps present with attractive colours, clear print and generally good centring. Perforations appear complete. Five stamps show visible hinge remnants or adhesive traces on the reverse (60c, 80c, 1.80p, 2p and 3p); the 15c shows yellowish reverse discolouration. No obvious major tears or severe creases in supplied scans. Gum preservation of provisionally MNH stamps has not been independently verified.

Historical and philatelic notes: Issued for Spanish Stamp Day in 1959, reproducing works by Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), a major painter of the Spanish Golden Age. The selection covers portraits, history painting, religious subjects and scenes of everyday life.

Edifil 2025 complete-set catalogue reference: MNH €2.50; MH €1.75; Used €1.75. Mixed-condition individual catalogue total: €2.35 (working reference based on the recorded individual condition classifications). AllCollect Collection Value: €1.75 (condition-adjusted). Collection Grade: 3/5. Investment Grade: 1/5. Decision: KEEP — Spanish Art Reference Collection. Certification: Not required.