Academie Royale

First day cover on a 6-1/2" x 3-3/4" envelope, Cachet by S. A. Campo-Rodan, N. V.

The stamp showing the Portrait of the Empress Maria Theresa in the lace dress presented to her by the States of Flanders in 1744. It was Issued on December 16, 1972 for the 200th anniversary of the L'Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique. The Empress founded the Académie Impériale et Royale of the Sciences et belles Lettres de Bruxelles on December 16, 1772. It was not only a scientific institution, but also a symbol of Austrian imperial power. The present name was adopted in 1845, 15 years after Belgian independence. The Academy serves the French speaking population of Belgium. The Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten serves the Flemish speaking portion, and is a separate institution founded in 1938.

first posted 2/15/2009