The Andorran Philatelic Study Circle welcomes all those interested in the stamps and postal history of Andorra Take a look at our Information Page For general philatelic sites try our Links page If you haven't found the information you wanted E-mail us. We might be able to help. Valira Torrent:   Contents | Subject index

Selected Articles from Valira Torrent

Your reference to our published articles on Andorra and its stamps.

The reference before each item is the issue and page where published in Valira Torrent. Quote the issue if ordering back numbers.

The articles are presented as originally published. In some cases the information in them may be superseded by more recent discoveries. Additional illustration has been added to some items.

Copyright notice

  Subject Index to Issues 1-43 - compiled by David Hope
Look here if you are interested in particular topic.

Spanish Bureau | French Bureau
Postal History | General Interest | Stamp Designs/Thematic
All articles

Chronological List
(all articles available)

1/1 (Jan 1975) The Postal History of Andorra (Part 1) - by D. W. Tanner
A study of the postal service in Andorra from its origins to the end of the 19th Century

1/6 (Jan 1975) The Flower Stamps of Andorra - by J. Mashiter
Botanical information on Andorra stamps issued up to 1975

1/7 (Jan 1975) Spanish Andorra - The Provisional Issue of 1928 (Part 1) - by W. A. Jacques
Study of the Spanish Bureau overprinted stamps of 1928

2/2 (Nov 1975) The Postal History of Andorra (Part 2) - by D. W. Tanner
Covering the early part of the 20th Century

2/6 (Nov 1975) The Philatelic birds of Andorra - by W. D. Bent
Ornithological information on Andorra stamps issued up to 1975

2/9 (Nov 1975) Artists Proofs of the French Post Offices - by D. C. Lamb

3/1 (Feb 1976) The Postal History of Andorra (Part 3) - by D. W. Tanner
Covering the period 1920s up to the establishment of full postal services

3/7 (Feb 1976) Spanish Andorra - The Provisional Issue of 1928 (Part 2) - by W. A. Jacques
Study of the Spanish Bureau overprinted stamps of 1928

4/2 (Oct 1976) The Postal History of Andorra (Part 4) - by D. W. Tanner
Final part covering the establishment of full postal services by Spain and France.

4/8 (Oct 1976) My first visit to Andorra (1929) - Part 1 - by J. Mashiter
A first hand account of what Andorra and adjacent parts of the Pyrenees were like at around the time of the establishment of the first full postal service.

5/1 (Mar 1977) The Andorran Coat of Arms - by W. D. Bent
An attempt to explain the varying versions of the coat of arms as depicted on Andorran stamps.

5/7 (Mar 1977) The First Andorran Postmaster - by Jean Bacquer
A history of Tomas Rossell y Moles based on interviews with surviving friends and neighbours.

5/10 (Mar 1977) My first visit to Andorra (1929) - Part 2 - by J. Mashiter
Continuing the first hand account of what Andorra and adjacent parts of the Pyrenees were like at around the time of the establishment of the first full postal service.

Note: There were two printings of Issue 6, on foolscap and on A4 page size. The page numbering used here is based on the A4 reprinted edition.

6/1 (Nov 1977) My first visit to Andorra (1929) - Part 3 - by J. Mashiter
Final part of the first hand account of what Andorra and adjacent parts of the Pyrenees were like at around the time of the establishment of the first full postal service.

6/3 (Nov 1977) The Great "rarities" of The French Post in Andorra - by Jean Bacquer
"Unravelling the mystery of a 'star' - The 20c Bridge of St Antoni in ultramarine"

6/8 (Nov 1977) A study of the 6f rose/carmine of the 1944-53 French Bureau - by Jean Bacquer

6/9 (Nov 1977) Spanish Andorra 1977 Europa

6/10 (Nov 1977) Artists proofs of the Issues of the French Post Offices in Andorra - by D. C. Lamb
Follow up the article in Issue 2, p9, with check list of proofs then known.

7/2 (Mar 1978) A. P. S. C. Rules

7/4 (Mar 1978) A Famous Andorran - by Jean Bacquer
An account of the origins of Guillem de Areny y de Plandolit, author of the New Reform of 1866.

7/10 (Mar 1978) Defective Presse numbers - by W. A. Jacques
Three examples of Presse numbers with a missing character and request for information on any futher instances.

8/2 (Nov 1978) Supplements to "Andorra Andorre"
Extending the list of Fr. P.O. printing dates, withdrawals and quantities.

8/3 (Nov 1978) The Proposed Air Service of 1932 (supplement to "Andorra Andorre", page 32)
Discovery of details of the promotor, pilot and aircraft of the trial flights.

8/5 (Nov 1978) French Andorra - The 1931/1932 Provisional Issue (Part 1) - by Alec Jacques and Jean Bacquer
Study of the French Bureau overprinted stamps of 1931/2

8/8 (Nov 1978) Spanish Bureau "Customs" of 1972
Gibbons Catalogue describes the 1pta as "St Anthony Singers". The stamp actually depicts an auction of charcuterie.

9/1 (Mar 1979) Book Review - Catalogue National Spécialisé, Maury S.A.

9/3 (Mar 1979) French Andorra - The 1931/1932 Provisional Issue (Part 2) - by Alec Jacques and Jean Bacquer
Study of the French Bureau overprinted stamps of 1931/2

9/8 (Mar 1979) Notes on Stamps Designs - The Altar Screen of St Jean de Caselles
An account of the scenes depicted on the 12 stamps of the French Bureau.

10/2 (Oct 1979) Forged Andorra Material

10/6 (Oct 1979) 1928 Spanish P. O. Provisional Overprints (Varieties) by W. A. Jacques

10/7 (Oct 1979) French Andorra 1979 Europa

10/8 (Oct 1979) Andorra Revisited 1958 (Part 1) by John Mashiter

10/10 (Oct 1979) Supplement to "Andorra Andorre" Spanish P. O. Quantities Issued

11/2 (Apr 1980) Recent Nature Protection Series by W. D. Bent
Covering the issues of 1978 and 1979

11/3 (Apr 1980) The Flower Stamps of Andorra by John Mashiter
Covering the issue of 1975

11/4 (Apr 1980) French Postal Service - Notes on the Postal Use of the Special Issues from 1971

11/6 (Apr 1980) Andorra Revisited 1958 (Part 2) by John Mashiter

11/9 (Apr 1980) Stamp Designs - The 1972 2ptas Christmas (Pessebre Vivent)
Story of the stamp depicting the "Living Crib" tradition of Engordany.

12/1 (Oct 1980) Andorra Revisited 1958 (Part 3) by John Mashiter
Final part of the description of a visit to Andorra.

12/5 (Oct 1980) Rotary Recess Printing
Study of the methods used by the French National Printing Works.

12/7 (Oct 1980) Postmarks - Spanish Bureau, Andorra la Vella
First part of a series covering all the postmarks used in Andorra..

13/2 (Mar 1981) Charlemagne and Andorra by W. D. Bent
The facts and the myths of Andorra's early history.

13/5 (Mar 1981) The Flower Stamps of Andorra by John Mashiter
Covering the French Bureau issues of 1980.

13/6 (Mar 1981) New Varieties by W. A. Jacques

13/8 (Mar 1981) Postmarks - Spanish Agencies, First Day and Special Cancellations

13/11 (Mar 1981) Spanish Andorra 1980 Christmas Issue - by Alec Jacques
Varieties of colour.

14/2 (Oct 1981) The Rarest Andorra Stamp - by William H. Bennett
Describing the discovery of an incompletely printed Europa stamp.

14/4 (Oct 1981) Nature Protection Series 1981 - by W. D. Bent

14/10 (Oct 1981) A Package to Andorra (Part 1) - by John Wilson Smith
Describing a visit to Andorra in 1981.

15/2 (Mar 1982) Andorran "Essays" - by Roy Dehn
Describing the Torres essays and progressive proofs of the Douchet essays.

15/4 (Mar 1982) A Package to Andorra (Part 2) - by John Wilson Smith
Continuing the description of a visit to Andorra in 1981.

15/7 (Mar 1982) The 1932 "Semi-official" Airmails- by Carlos Romo (Part 1)
Describing the abortive attempt to establish an air service to Andorra and the associated stamps.
16/2 Part 2 17/2 Part 3

16/6 (Oct 1982) French Postal Administration - Postmarks. Postal Agencies

17/5 (Mar 1983) Telstar - the 1st Transatlantic Television Satelite - by Ray Dixon
History of early communications satelites.

17/8 (Mar 1983) 1928 Spanish Bureau Specimen Stamps - by W. A. Jacques

17/9 (Mar 1983) Stamp Designs - The Cross with Seven Arms

18/2 (Mar 1983) Governing Andorra (Part 1) - by David Hope
19/2 (Oct 1983) Part 2
Describing the development of Andorra's political and administrative institutions as illustrated by stamps.

22/1 (Nov 1985) Book Review - "Andorra - Andorre. 1985 Supplement and Price Guide"
Reviewed by David Lamb.

22/2 (Nov 1985) St Cerni de Nagol - by D. Hope

22/3 (Nov 1985) Historic Features of Andorra - by David Hope
Covering the Iron Forge, Mill, Cheesery, and Bordes de Mereig issues.

22/4 (Nov 1985) Colour Proofs and Colour Trials of the French P.O. in Andorra - by David Lamb

22/10 (Nov 1985) Collecting Maximum Cards - by Carlos Romo

24/6 (Oct 1986) Europa 1985 - by David Hope
The French Bureau issue with European Music Year theme.

24/10 (Oct 1986) Nature Protection - by W. D. Bent
Covering the Spanish Bureau (fungi) and French Bureau Europa of 1986.

29/6 (Mar 1989) Spanish Bureau - The 1972 Europa forgery - by Alec Jacques
Identifying characteristics of the genuine and forged stamps.

35/2 (Mar 1992) The Chapel of Sant Romà dels Vilars - by David Hope

35/2 (Mar 1992) Holy Mother of the Remedy of Sant Julià and Sant Germà

35/3 (Mar 1992) Small Bottles from the Tombs of Sant Vicenç d'Enclar

35/4 (Mar 1992) French Bureau - Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 1) - by David Lamb and Alec Jacques
First part of a detailed study of material relating to the production of the French Bureau issues.

35/11 (Mar 1992) Nature Protection - by W. D. Bent
Covering the 1990 and 1991 mushroom stamps of the Spanish Bureau.

36/6 (Nov 1992) Church of St Andreu - by David Hope

36/6 (Nov 1992) Winter Olympics

36/6 (Nov 1992) Altar-piece in Santa Eulalia, Encamp

36/9 (Nov 1992) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 2) by David Lamb & Alec Jacques
Covering the 1931 overprinted issue and the 1932 views and arms issues.

37/2 (Apr 1993) Bureau of Social Security - 25 Years - by David Hope
Describing the sculptures commissioned for the anniversary and subsequently featured on stamps.

37/2 (Apr 1993) Ordino Arcalis
Describing the "Ring of Stainless Steel" sculpture.

37/3 (Apr 1993) Pétanque - World Championships
Commemorating the game also known as Boules.

37/4 (Apr 1993) Revisado por Seguridad - by Ernesto Fink
Comment on a cachet applied to covers containing publicity material for the issues of the Vegueria Episcopal.

37/5 (Apr 1993) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 3) by David Lamb and Alec Jacques
Covering the issues of 1944-51.

37/9 (Apr 1993) Liebig Cards - by David Lamb
Study of a series of publicity cards featuring Andorran subjects.

37/12 (Apr 1993) Nature Protection - by W. D. Bent
Covering the Sheep, Cattle, Globe Flower and Griffon Vulture issues.

38/4 (Nov 1993) Nature Protection - by W. D. Bent
Covering the 1993 mushroom issue of the Spanish Bureau.

38/4 (Nov 1993) Urgel Cathedral - by W. D. Bent

38/6 (Nov 1993) Europa 1983 - by David Hope
Two more of the modern sculptures commissioned for the 25th anniversary of the Bureau of Social Security.

38/6 (Nov 1993) Storm in a Teacup
Another of the sculptures.

38/7 (Nov 1993) Skiing
Describing the resorts depicted in the French Bureau tryptichs.

38/8 (Nov 1993) Tour de France 1983

38/8 (Nov 1993) The Andorran School

39/1 (Apr 1994) The APSC 20th Anniversary souvenirs

39/3 (Apr 1994) Twenty Years in Retrospect - by David Hope
A look back over the first 20 years of APSC.

39/6 (Apr 1994) Adéu, Vegueria Episcopal! - by David Lamb
A look back at the issues of the Vegueria at the time when it ceased to exist with the advent of the new Andorran constitution.

39/8 (Apr 1994) More Sculpture - by David Hope
Two more of the sculptures commissioned for the 25th anniversary of the Bureau of Social Security.

39/11 (Apr 1994) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 4) by David Lamb & Alec Jacques
Covering the 1950 airmail, 1958 postage and airs and unissued souvenir proofs prepared for the 25th anniversary of the French Bureau.

39/17 (Mar 1994) Spanish Bureau Forgeries - by Alec Jacques
5c St Joan de Caselles and 30c Casa de la Vall "errors of colour" - cautionary note

40/4 (Nov 1994) The Unissued 20c Green of 1948 - Fact or Fiction? by E. J. Jewell
Discussion of the offsets on Spanish Stamps featured in the APSC anniversary souvenir sheet.

40/10 (Nov 1994) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 5) by David Lamb & Alec Jacques
Covering the issue of 1961-71.

41/4 (Apr 1995) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Part 6) by David Lamb & Alec Jacques
Covering the issue of 1983.

41/10 (Apr 1995) Spanish Bureau - First Day Cancellations
Error in one of 3 FD cancellations for 1994 Nature (mushroom) stamps

41/11 (Apr 1995) The Postal History of Lerida
Account of the postal arrangements in the neighbouring Spanish province in the early 20th century.

42/7 (Nov 1995) Spanish Andorra - Provisional Cancellations 1959-60 - by Alec Jacques
Study of ad hoc arrangements for cancelling mail while the regular datestamps were withdrawn for alteration

43/11 (Apr 1995) French Bureau Proofs, Essays and Imperforates (Parts 7 and 8) by David Lamb & Alec Jacques
Final part of the study, covering commemorative and booklet stamps.
Note: Further parts have since been published culminating in Part 10 (March 1999) which comprises corrections and additions. These will be added to the web site as soon as possible. The corrections and additions will be incorporated into the preceding articles. These will be announced in "Latest Updates" on the Home Page when they become available. It is planned to publish the complete work as a booklet sponsored by CIFA.

47/2 (Mar 1998) Andorran Legends - by David Hope
Story of the Virgin of Meritxell, the Seven Branched Cross of Prats and the Battle of Seturia (la Font de l'Esmelicat)

47/4 (Mar 1998) Automatic Machine Labels of the Spanish Postal Service - by Phillipe Louviau

47/8 (Mar 1998) Spanish Co-Princes of Andorra - by David hope
Short biographies of the Bishops of Urgel who have appeared on stamps.

48/3 (Oct 1998) Design Amendments - French Bureau Issues - by D. C. Lamb
A study of differences between pre-release publicity photos and the issued stamps.

48/5 (Oct 1998) The 20c Sower with marginal "7"
Unusual marginal inscription believed to be the Presse No.

48/6 (Oct 1998) Lucky finds .... the 4 peseta double perforation - by E. J. Jewell
The story of a double perforation variety bought over the post office counter.

48/7 (Oct 1998) Andorra Revisited 1998 - by E. J. Jewell
Account of a summer visit to Andorra.

49/10 (Mar 1999) The New Andorran Postal Musuem by François Dupré
Description and pictures of the Museum.
Note: Approx. 240K of pictures - you may prefer to view with graphics disabled and select the pictures of interest.

50/20 (Oct 1999) Andorra at the End of the Century - by E. J. Jewell
Account of a summer visit to Andorra.

52/16 (Oct 2000) The Hotel Pla - by E. J. Jewell
The story of the oldest Andorran hotel and the family which ran it.

54/3 (Oct 2001) Post Offices Past and Present (Part 1) - by E. J. Jewell
First part of a series describing the history of the post offices and agencies in Andorra with pictures of the premises.
En français

55/7 (Mar 2002) Post Offices Past and Present (Part 2) - by E. J. Jewell
Second part of a series describing the history of the post offices and agencies in Andorra with pictures of the premises.