Each year, the Belgian Post issues around twenty new stamp editions. To celebrate the double anniversary of 75 years of the Competition and 150 years of the birth of the Queen, bpost will release a commemorative stamp on Monday 13 April, highlighting the exceptional musical heritage of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

Sheet of five stamps

The illustration on the stamp depicts Queen Elisabeth holding her violin, a nod to her love of the instrument and to the very first edition of the Competition in 1937, which was dedicated to the violin. Initially known as the “Concours Eugène Ysaÿe”, the event became the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1951. The sheet features an autograph manuscript by Eugène Ysaÿe, from the Eugène Ysaÿe Collection of the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR). The Belgian violinist and composer wrote this sonata for two violins for the Queen, and the piece was even intended to be played together, as evidenced by the note he wrote in the upper right-hand corner of the score. The Queen Elisabeth Competition logo completes the stamp, which is enhanced with a gold-foil print.

First Day Sheet

Well known among Belgian philatelists, each limited edition release is accompanied by the publication of a First Day Sheet, a souvenir card on which the stamp is affixed and cancelled on the first day of issue. On the reverse side, readers will discover the fascinating story behind this miniature work of art, as well as the technical details of the stamp. A wonderful keepsake for collectors and admirers of the Competition!

Sales

The sheet of five stamps is sold at a price of €15.80, while the First Day Sheet is priced at €7.95. They will be available from Monday 13 April 2026

in selected bpost post offices,
on www.bpost.be (stamp sheet & First Day Sheet),
in the Competition’s webshop,
from Monday 4 to Saturday 16 May 2026: at Flagey during the first round and the semi-final of the Cello Competition.

A special cancellation will be available on 13 April for an exclusive “First Day” cancellation at a post office in Brussels (more information soon on www.bephila.be).

Pre-sale

On Saturday 11 April (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), an exclusive pre-sale open to the public will be organised by the Cercle philatélique de La Hulpe. On that day, a special cancellation will also be available, and the designers of this and several other stamp issues will be present to sign the sheets. Address: Solvay Sports Centre, Rue Général de Gaulle 53, 1310 La Hulpe.

Royal collaboration

The collaboration was coordinated through the Royal Palace, which supported the creation of this festive stamp, featuring a design by Myriam Voz and developed in collaboration with Marie Cornaz, Director of the Music Department of the Royal Library of Belgium. The stamp fits perfectly within the Competition’s overall communication strategy, which continues to highlight its historical value and continuity. This issue allowed the Competition to do so with style, symbolism and beauty.

www.bpost.be