COVER N. 376 - BRASIL

Postmark: AC Central SE /SPM - 07.12.2023

Posted on the 7th December; received on the 30th December 2023

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Due to a quite happy coincidence, my last two covers of 2023, spoke Portuguese. both having been sent from the State of S.Paulo, one of the 26 States and one Federal District that integrate Brazil, our brother country and a member of CPLP,  the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

Muito Obrigado Luis. Sabe bem escrever isto aqui em Português! Um abraço!

For me, central markets are hives of human activity. More than ensuring a commercial function, they are true social interfaces, so many are the people that use them on a frequent and regular basis, what facilitates the creation of bonds between buyers and sellers who, in time, are no longer just that but also people who know each other, who can relate to each other, friends, even, maybe, in some cases.....

I love markets and whenever I visit a city, I make sure I go to its main market... it's always a pleasure walking through it and seeing what's on offer, what is also a fine introduction to a country's gastronomic habits.

On 07SEP2023, Correios do Brasil issued a five stamp set dedicated to Central Markets all with the same face value (2,45 Reais). Further to the Market of Fortaleza, on the stamp on the cover, the set includes stamps dedicated to the Central Markets of Goiânia, Manaus, Florianópolis and  Belo Horizonte.

Of note is the fact that, following the best market traditions, the value of the stamps is indicated by a price tag claiming "Just R$ 2,45".

On 29MAY2023, Correios do Brasil issued an eight stamp set dedicated to lighthouses of the country, all with a face value of 3 Reais.

The stamp on the cover portraits  the lighthouse of Moela on the Island of the same name, 2,5, km off the coast of the State of  S. Paulo.

The 0.05 and 0.2 Reais stamps on the upper right corner are part of the definitive series issued between 2005 and 2011, dedicated to Professions. Illustrated with a seamstress and a  shoemaker, respectively,  they both integrated the first set of three stamps, issued on 30DEC2005.

I believe that the A C initials in the postmark strad for Agência Central although I don't have a clue as to what the SE/SPM initials refer to.