The Netherlands’ postal history has medieval roots, with the first postal services emerging in major trading cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht in the 15th century. In the 16th century, the influential Thurn und Taxis postal system played a pivotal role in connecting the Netherlands to the rest of Europe. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established an intricate postal network in the 17th century, facilitating communication between the Netherlands and its overseas colonies. The Dutch Republic became a pioneer in 1850 by introducing uniform postal rates for domestic mail, fostering a more efficient and accessible postal system. The 19th-century railway expansion played a crucial role in transforming the Dutch postal service, facilitating faster and more widespread mail delivery. The Netherlands issued its first postage stamp in 1852, featuring a profile of King William III (1817-1890), marking a significant development in philatelic history. Todays stamp is the 10 c issue from 1852. CV for a mint copy is 550 euros.