A Stampless (Euro) Post Office

Hi Post! I hope that you enjoyed your time in Catalonia.

As for Andorra, in Andorra la Vella (Catalan for "Old Andorra"), the country's capital, there are two PO: the Spanish and the French. This is because Andorra has no postal system on its own; instead, Spanish and French PO, handle the postage. Nowadays, with the euro, this is very simple, but I remember the times when you'd to save some French francs to be able to buy French Andorra (as we call the French PO) postal items.
So said, there are two PO in downtown Andorra la Vella. The Spanish PO, on a dark side street (an ugly place, I must say!), just handle postage and place the awful "PO paid" postmark on anything. No philatelic department. They tell you, in Spanish, to go to the Madrid philatelic service.
By contrast, the French PO, a lightly place on the riverfront, has a full array of postal and philatelic items for sale. The assistants are very nice, speak Catalan (they're Andorran, not French!). You can buy mint items, FDC's or have your items cancelled, as I did.

Please, tell me what Andorran items do you need, and next time that I'm in Andorra (perhaps in May or June) I'll do my best to get them for you.

I'm so shocked to hear this!

And how could the Spanish PO issue Andorran stamps when they're not even sold at the Andorra post office.

Sounds like fantasy paper!

And how could the Spanish PO issue stamps that cannot be found in most PO of their own country? What you say for Andorra stamps is also valid for Spain's ones.
I can't recall the last time that I saw modern stamps on a commercial cover. At least, some years ago you could see them on stamp exhibition covers to bear the special postmark. Nowadays, philatelic societies use personalized stamps (bought at 1.35 € and sold at 2 €) to be cancelled. They charge, ussually, 3 € for a cacheted cover with a personalized stamp cancelled by a special pm.
They do it for two reasons:
1.- It's hard to find suitable amounts of commemorative stamps at PO or tobacconists if you're not in a big city. While you can order personalized stamps, with your own design, very easily by e-mail.
2.- It helps deplected finances of societies, as a lot of collectors (like myself) by cacheted covers, not just for the interest of them but also as a help to our fellow philatelists that carry on a very good job on keeping our hobby alive.

In my view, Spanish PO only issues stamps to empty philatelists pockets.

As a long time (since 1996) member of the board of the Catalan Federation of Philately Societies I know what I'm talking about.

I was so intrigued by what is happening in Spain now, that I bumped into the following article:

http://www.ateeme.net/angles/aar_07supr.htm

So, if Spanish Andorra stamps are not used at all, what is it for? Are Andorran stamp collectors aware of this happening?

Cursus: Thanks for the offer. I do not know specifically what I want, but would be interested in a set of whatever is the latest Postal Stationery from both the Spain and the French side if possible. We can work out payment when the time comes. Might be nice to get a mailing, with postal stationery and added value to get it here as well. Let me know.

Yes, I spent a total of 1 month over two years (2 weeks at a time) in L'Estartit. Had a great time. Love the food, wine and beaches in that part of your country. If you were on Facebook, I have some old shots of the town posted in my photo pages, that you could look at. Bull Fights in Barcelona, and the dining was great there as well.

Let me know when you get the stuff. Go over and use my email when we get this started.

Well food and drink are still good, thought perhaps You'll find somewhat more expensive.
As for the bullfighting, Catalan Parliament banned them from our country some years ago due to its cruelty and animal mistreatment (Catalonia is a civilised country!); although Spanish Government wants forcefully reintroduce them again in the grounds that bullfighting is Culture...

I think it will be feasible to get some Andorra stationery for you (do you want it mint or gone through the mail?). I'll let you know when I'm going there.

Thanks. Did not know about the bullfighting.

A mint set of whatever is there and maybe one or two itesm mailed to me(uprated to get it here), that way I can have the best of both worlds.

Thanks again.

Cursus,

I'll really appreciate it if you could send me the 2013 Europa Postal Vehicles stamps from Andorra on cover to me?

It's my collecting theme.

I'll do my best; but when I need an Spanish Andorra FDC (which is often, as they show many Catalan subjects)I resort to Delcampe or e-Bay. Buying them in Andorra is impossible.