Luis Rocha
Country: Switzerland
Title in the original language: Reconstructing the Borja Freira Issues of Portugal 1853-63 – Quantities, Production and Archival Discoveries
Publisher:
Year of publication: 2026
ISBN Code: 978-1-913015-36-7
Number of pages: 60
Price: 10.50 £
Main language: English
Short Description: This scholarly work represents a definitive advancement in Portuguese philately, born from the recent incorporation of the historical archives of the Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda (INCM) into the National Archive Torre do Tombo. By scrutinising previously unexamined primary sources, including original ledger books, consignment notes, and annual balance terms, the author reconstructs the complete production cycle of the D. Maria II, D. Pedro V, and early D. Luis I issues with unprecedented precision. The study’s unique contribution lies in its empirical methodology. Moving beyond the “accepted” numbers issued for Portugal’s first postage stamps, the author traces the path of paper reams from the warehouse to the finished stamps delivered to the Post Office. Crucially, it accounts for refugo (waste) and incinerated stock, providing for the first time the true quantities that reached the public. Richly documented and rigorously researched, the work is enriched by exclusive high-resolution colour photography of original reproduction punches, matrices, and service dies from the Mint House collection alongside rare philatelic items from the Borja Freire issues. By correcting long-standing data for the numbers of stamps issued, and redefining issue dates through primary evidence, this study provides a new, definitive foundation for the specialised collector..
Where to order: https://www.rpsl.org.uk/language/en-US/Home/Publications/Books/Reconstructing-the-Borja-Freira-Issues-of-Portugal