The Portuguese Royals divided into a Portugal and a Brazil line in the 19th century. So though Portuguese still left for Brazil, less and less money came back and the empire became threadbare. Perhaps a dynamic new King could have turned it around, but not someone satisfied playing the cello and translating Shakespeare. Gosh this guy probably collected stamps. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
Todays stamp is so typical of a 19th century European Empire stamp. A Royal depicted in an ageless profile along with a denomination. Great Britain started postage stamps this way in 1840, was much copied, and Queen Elizabeth II is still displayed this way. Portugal’s lesser status is seen in having to include the countries name on the stamp. Otherwise the stamp fits right in as did Portugal’s Royal House of Braganza. Luiz married Maria Pia, Princess and daughter of Italian King Victor Emanuel I.
The stamp today is issue A15, a 25 Reis stamp issued by the Kingdom of Portugal in 1870. This was a 17 stamp issue in various denominations that was issued foe many years and then reprinted on cheap paper for collectors in 1885 and again in 1905, third world money grubbing style. The quality of the printing I think suggest that this stamp is original and if I am correct the Scott catalog places it’s value at $3.75 used. An imperferate version is worth $500 mint.
I mentioned that Portugal was somewhat threadbare after Brazil became it’s own Empire. See https://the-philatelist.com/2019/04/18/brazil-1891-an-elite-overthrow-the-monarchy-to-avoid-a-haitian-outcome/ . Portugal was also faced with the end of the slave trade and the fact that many Portuguese traders in places like Macau and Goa in India had gone native. See https://the-philatelist.com/2017/11/10/remember-the-divine-duty-of-empire/ . The extent of the rot was shown by the Royal succession in 1863. Prince Luiz was a second son and a naval ship captain when he was called home as his mother the Queen was sick. He arrived home to find her and two of his brothers dead from cholera from bad water at the Palace of Necessities. One of the necessities apparently not being clean water. There was a new palace being constructed, Ajuda Palace though it was far from finished after many years work. New King Luiz was advised to move in anyway and was soon joined by his 14 year old bride Queen Consort Maria Pia.
Luiz stayed out of politics for the most part and weak governments of the left and the right did not make much headway. The Queen attracted much consternation for her extravagance and the government often withheld money in finishing Ajuda Palace. The Queen responded that if you want a Queen you have to pay for her. The marriage with Luiz cooled after the birth of the heir and the spare as he found more understanding with his mistresses.
When Luiz suddenly died in 1889, now dowager Queen Maria Pia refused to leave Ajuda Palace and new King Carlos had to go live in the Palace of Necessities. The cholera there did not get him but assassins did. Portugal was declared a Republic and Maria Pia was sent into exile in her native Italy. The is a current pretender to the House of Braganza, Duerte Pio, but none of the political parties support a return to monarchy. The Necessities Palace now serves as Portugal’s Foreign Ministry and Ajuda Palace is a somewhat derelict museum. There is a scheme to fix it up by selling some of the grounds for development. If you want a Palace, you have to pay for her.
Well my drink is empty and I am not one to add much water to my scotch, so I am safe to have another. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.