Señal del tiempo - Color bonito
The set was designed by Cândido Costa Pinto, and engraved by H. Cole (frames), C. Richardson (King Philip II and Embassy coaches), P. Lenham (King John VI coach), and C.Roberts (King John V coach). The stamps were printed in recess by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. on wove paper sheets of 10×10 stamps with perforation 13×13½, and circulated from 8 January 1952 to 23 April 1954.
Among its rarest and oldest items is a late 16th/early 17th-century Spanish travelling coach used by King Philip II to come from Spain to Portugal in 1619.
The 18th century ‘Embassy Coach’ is among the impressive Baroque ceremonial carriages with gilt woodwork sculptures built in Rome, with collaboration of Portuguese artists, for King John V’s envoys to Pope Clement XI in 1716.
The 18th century coach of King John V was built in Lisbon, but with paintings attributed to Frenchman Quillard. This coach is among the most used in the museum: Kings and Emperors of Brazil, Sweden, England, Spain, and Germany used it during their visits to Portugal.
The 1824 English-built carriage ordered by King John VI uses metal suspensions and is hence lighter than the previous entirely wooden vehicles.