Latvia FDC on "450th Anniversary of Duchy of Courland and Semigallia"

First Day Cover
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Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Latvia

450th Anniversary of Duchy of Courland and Semigallia

Date of Issue : 21 September 2012

LVL 0.55 stamp : Duke of Courland and Semigallia Jacob Kettler (1610-1682).
During Jacob's rule that the Duchy achieved peak prosperity. Kettler ruled from 1642 to 1682, promoting growth in industry, trade and shipbuilding. The duke effected international trade by concluding agreements with Spain, France, Venice, Portugal and many other lands, including the Ottoman Empire. He established colonies on St. Andrews Island at the Gambia River and Tobago in the Caribbean Sea.

LVL 0.35 stamp : Duke Ernst Johann von Biron.
He was born in 1690 and was the first Duke of Courland and Semigallia of the Biron dynasty. He became the Duke of Courland and Semigallia twice - from 1737 to 1741 and from 1763 to 1769. During his rule, palaces were built in Jelgava and Rundāle to a design by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was an autonomous vassal state of Poland-Lithuania, which from 1562 to 1795 included most of Courland, Semigallia and Selonia. The Duchy was successively ruled by two dynasties - the Kettlers and the Birons - as well as several unrelated dukes.

The design of the FDC incorporates a sailing ship, reminding about the development of shipping and colonies belonging to the Duchy during the rule of the famous Duke Jacob.