URU - 2014 - #019 - DESCRIPTION - BICENTENARY OF THE NAVAL BATTLE OF BUCEO

Uruguay - 2014 - Bicentenary of the Naval Battle of Buceo ( Previous / Next )

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SERIE --- 3,00 EUR
BLOCK --- 4,00 EUR
FDC not Sent --- 5,00 EUR
FDC Sent on First Day --- 9,00 EUR
COVER Sent on First Day --- 7,00 EUR

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Issue information:

Country: Uruguay
Date: June 6th, 2014
Printed: 10.000 copies

Stamp Shape and Size: Rectangular [39 mm. x 27 mm.]
Perforation: Circular
Gum: Water Activated

Block Configuration: 1 stamp
Block Shape and Size: Rectangular [100 mm. x 70 mm.]

FDC Type: Official Cover from Post Office
FDC not sent Shape and Size: Rectangular [165 mm. x 105 mm.]
FDC sent on issue day Shape and Size: Rectangular [165 mm. x 105 mm.]

Cover Shape and Size: Rectangular [240 mm. x 160 mm.]

Catalogue information:

Michel: No Data Available
Ivert: No Data Available
Scott: No Data Available
Stanley & Gibbons: No Data Available

Topics:

Issue:

As Main Topic: I think that Naval Battles will be the most precise, and at the same type popular enough to choose, although it clearly fit in many other Collections that could be divided in the following two branches: War and Ships.

From the branch of War, could be this huge Topic itself, and also the smaller one Battles, and the even smaller South-America Battles.

 Then, for the other branch, the Ships one, could be this as the more abarcative one, then reducing the scope, clearly appears War Ships, then also Old Ships and Sailing Ships, as these were the ships that fight in this battle, and finally Frigate or Sailing Frigate, as was the kind of Ship that was the Flagship of the winning side, the Frigate "Hercules" to be more specific, led by Admiral William Brown (also known in Spanish as Guillermo Brown or Almirante Brown).

Then, surrounding the main topic, could be found the followings: The easiest to identify is Bicentenaries, then we go directly to a more significant one that is History Topic, unfortunately not too much wider than the previous one mentioned War Topic. However, this release is clearly more useful for more specific collections like: History of Uruguay and History of Argentina, inside a wider History of Southamerica, probably better in a one focused on the Emancipation of Southamerica, or the Liberty of Southamerica, or the Spanish American wars of independence, as this battle, The Naval Battle of Buceo, which it bicentenary is remembered in this release, was one of the most relevant in that Latin America struggle for Independence, as the immediate consecuence of the winning of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata Navy over the Spanish Empire one, was that the unique way of Provision of the City of Montevideo, at that time held by Spanish loyalists under the leadership of Gaspar de Vigodet and Besieged by land by the Patriotic troops led by José Rondeau, was cut, and the city faced starvation. Finally, by the end of June,  Gaspar de Vigodet was forced to surrender Montevideo to General Carlos María de Alvear, Ending the Spanish Reign presence in the Banda Oriental.

Also, the remarkable life of the Admiral William Brown (22 June 1777 – 3 March 1857), an Irish-born Argentine Admiral, whose victories in the Independence War, the Cisplatine War, and the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata, earned the respect and appreciation of the Argentine people, also being the Creator and first Admiral of the Country's Maritime Forces, made that today he is regarded as one of Argentina's National Heroes, and he is commonly known as the "Father of the Argentine Navy". For all that, surely this release could fit in a wide Personalities Collection, or in a more specific ones like: Argentinian Personalities, Argentinian Militars, also, as he was born in Ireland, Irish Personalities and Irish Militars, or a larger Historical Militars, and for this reason Militaria itself could be spot as another Topic of this release.

An interesting anecdote that shows the great personality of Admiral William Brown, brings us to August 15th 1842, when he fought a battle on the River Paraná, defeating a Uruguayan riverine fleet of launches commanded by the future hero of the Italian Risorgimento, Giuseppe Garibaldi. Then, because of some misbeahavior of some of his men, Brown refused to accept the victory because of the dishonor brought upon the battle by his men, and Used his influence to have Giuseppe Garibaldi released from prison, where he was awaiting trial and certain execution. Admiral Brown used a saying on such occasions when loyalties were in question to the task, "Even if to the devil the word is given, then it must be kept". Honor in the line of duty was important to William Brown, and his services to his adopted country seen his favor shown to Garibaldi. Giuseppe Garibaldi in recognition of this grace, years later named one of his grandchildren "William" after Brown.

Another good Quotation of Admiral Brown that shows also his Humility, happened when, after being retired, he was visited by Grenfell, his opponent in the Brazilian War, who remarked him how ungrateful the Republic was to its good servants; the old Admiral replied: "Mr Grenfell, it does not burden me to have been useful to the mother country of my children; I consider the honours and the wealth superfluous when six feet of earth are enough to rest so many difficulties and pains."

His Personality made that Commemorative Stamps showing him were issued in 1957 by the Irish government, and in 1891, 1935, and 1956 by the Argentine government.

Four different Football clubs: Club Atlético Almirante Brown located in the town of Arrecifes, Club Almirante Brown located in Isidro Casanova, Brown Athletic Club from Adrogué, and Puerto Madryn-based Guillermo Brown, being the second of them Club Almirante Brown the most relevant of them, whose first uniform kit acquired by the club were the Striped black and yellow worn by Uruguayan CURCC (nowadays Club Atlético Peñarol).


Now, regarding the desing of the stamp: It reinforces the Topic of Naval Battles, that we have chosen as the main one of the release, by showing a beautiful and also dramatic scene, in which several Sailing Ships, fight in open sea. It also reinforce considerably the Sailing Ships of War Ships Topic, as it is what you mainly see in the design, and another Topics could be identified too, as they are: Fire, because many Ships are Burning, also Canyons, and with them Weapons, not only because ot they are which provoked the already mentioned Fire, also because they are represented by the Splash, that they cause when they fall in the Water.

 Unfortunately we do not know who is the author of this beautiful Painting of the Naval Battle of Buceo, besides that, we can infer whith great probability of being right, that the Sail Ship in the center of the scene is the Frigate "Hercules", the Flagship of the Fleet leaded by Admiral William Brown. The other War Ships that participated in the fight were: Zephyr, Nancy, Julietta, Belfast, Agreeable, Trinidad of the Admiral William Brown Fleet, and from the Spanish Fleet: Hyena, Mercurio, Neptuno, Mercedes, Palomo, and Cisne. All of them Sailing Ships in the categories of Schooners, Brigantines and Corvettes. Probably in the painting some of these Ships are shown.

Finally, in a more symbolic way: This Naval Combat could be seen as a symbol of the Fraternity of the Provinces that are in the region of The Rio de la Plata Basin, as we share most of our History, in particular we share this Event, the Naval Combat of Buceo, that cause the end of our Emancipation Process from the Spanish Empire.  

Block:

The block: Put it focus in the Frigate "Hercules", reinforcing Ships and all Ships derivated Topics already mentioned as: War Ships, then also Old Ships and Sailing Ships, and finally Frigate or Sailing Frigate. Besides that, what I think is that the most interesting part of the design of this Block is the inclusion of the Plan of the Frigate "Hercules", three drawings of this Frigate Structure from different point of views, that makes this Block a wonderful item in Maps Collection, and specially in a Maps of Things Collection, that is clearly less wide than Maps in general, as most of them show Geographic Maps, and of course it is perfect for a Maps of Ships Collection.

Then, it also reinforces the History Topic and it more precise ones: History of Uruguay and History of Argentina, both inside a wider History of Southamerica, focused on the Emancipation of Southamerica, or the Liberty of Southamerica, or the Spanish American wars of independence, as his main legend refers to the Second Siege of Montevideo (1812 - 1814) and the two opponents in this war:  The United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, and the Spanish Empire.

Finally, it also reinforce the Personalities topics and the already mentioned: Argentinian Personalities, Argentinian Militars, Irish Personalities and Irish Militars, or a larger Historical Militars, introducing the name of Admiral William Brown in its text. 

FDC:

The desing of the First Day Cancelation: Besides reinforcing the Maps Topic, it also add the Geographical Map Topic, and perhaps more precise ones as: Old Geographic Maps or City of Montevideo Maps, as it shows a Map of the City of Montevideo from the beginnings of XIX Centruy. Then, it reinforces the Ships or Sailing Ships too, as in the Map, four Ships are included.

If you consider that there are another topics in this stamp, that were not spot in this review, you are encouraged to telling me about them, so please do not hesitate to post a comment. I would appreciate your help very much.