This year, the Dutch Post Office is periodically validating postal issues as a series called "Typically Dutch". The multi-year series started in 2020 and in 2024 will be dedicated to the animals we know best and are closest to us. Since the beginning of the year, 4 issues have been validated, respectively dedicated to cows (on January 2), dogs (on February 12), horses (on March 25) and songbirds (on May 13). What is interesting about these issues is the fact that some of the images are generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI), namely Midjourney, which creates images based on text descriptions.The first edition, validated on January 2, is Typically Dutch - Cows. The artists and designers of the edition are senior graphic designer Adam Lane, executive creative director Edwin van Praet and concept director Huub van Veenhuizen from Total Design in Amsterdam. Delftware ceramic figurines were used to create the images. The history of Delftware is closely linked to that of Chinese porcelain. Delftware became very popular in a short time and experienced its heyday between 1650 and 1750, when there were about 100 ceramic factories. Today, only a few factories still produce Delftware in the traditional way. The edition is printed on sheets of 6 stamps. Its circulation is 75,000 sheets.
The second issue of the Typically Dutch series is about dogs and was validated on February 12. The designers of the publication are again the Total Design team consisting of Adam Lane, Edwin van Praet and Huub van Veenhuizen. Approximately a quarter of all dogs in the Netherlands are purebred. Their interests are protected by the Dutch Kennel Club, which keeps the pedigree records. The publication is printed on sheets with 6 stamps. Each stamp on the Typically Dutch - Dogs sheet shows two dogs sitting side by side on their hind legs. The circulation of the publication is 75,000 sheets.
Third in a series on March 25th, the Typically Dutch - Horses edition with designers Adam Lane, Edwin van Praet and Huub van Veenhuysen was validated. There are four horse breeds originating in the Netherlands: the Friesian horse, the Gelderland horse, the Groningen horse and the Dutch draft horse. The Netherlands has approximately 400,000 active riders and 450,000 horses (data for 2015). The stamps depict 2 horses, full of strength, grace and love. They stand close together, their heads touching. The edition is printed on sheets of 6 stamps with a circulation of 75,000 sheets.
The issue validated on May 13 is on the theme Typically Dutch - Songbirds. The designers are again Adam Lane, Edwin van Praet and Huub van Veenhuizen. Songbirds do not use vocal cords to sing like humans, but rather a special organ at the end of their trachea. The issue is printed on sheets of 6 stamps with a circulation of 75,000 sheets.
All "Typically Dutch" issues come with printed first-day covers and booklets.
