On 9 June 2026, PostNL released the Postset Vlinders Saba (Butterflies Saba Postset), a beautifully curated set featuring an uncancelled stamp sheet with 3 frame stamps (kaderpostzegels) and 3 matching postcards. The stamps bear the denomination 1 for domestic mail up to 20 grams within the Netherlands.
Saba — one of the special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands — is home to over 30 butterfly species, despite its tiny size of just 13 square kilometres. This postset is part of the broader Beleef de natuur (Experience Nature) series, which in 2026 is dedicated to the biodiversity of Saba.
The Butterfly Species
The 3 frame stamps feature stunning illustrations of butterflies native to Saba. While the island is home to more than 30 species, the postset highlights three of the most striking:
About the Illustrator: Medy Oberendorff
The stamps and postcards were illustrated by Medy Oberendorff, a Dutch artist and illustrator whose detailed botanical and wildlife illustrations have gained recognition in the Netherlands. Her delicate, scientifically-informed style brings the butterflies of Saba to life — capturing not only their anatomical detail but also the vibrant colours and patterns that make each species unique.
Oberendorff's work for PostNL on this postset continues the tradition of featuring talented Dutch illustrators for the Beleef de natuur series. Her butterfly illustrations are rendered with remarkable precision, suitable both for philatelic appreciation and as miniature works of natural history art.
About Saba's Butterflies
The Caribbean island of Saba is a biodiversity hotspot. Despite its small size, the island's varied habitats — from tropical rainforest on the slopes of Mount Scenery to coastal areas — support a remarkable diversity of Lepidoptera. The Dorantes Longtail (Urbanus dorantes) is a swift-flying skipper with elongated hindwing tails, commonly seen in open areas. The Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia evarete) is a striking nymphalid with bold eyespots that thrives in coastal mangrove habitats. The Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus) is one of the island's most spectacular butterflies, with its deeply scalloped wing edges and warm orange-brown coloration.
The postset format — combining uncancelled stamps with matching postcards — makes this an ideal purchase for collectors who appreciate both the philatelic and the artistic aspects of stamp collecting. The stamps are frame stamps (kaderpostzegels), a popular format in the Netherlands where the stamp itself is part of a larger illustrated frame on the sheet.
Technical Specifications
| Issue Date | 9 June 2026 |
| Issuing Authority | PostNL |
| Series | Beleef de natuur – Caribisch Nederland (2024–2026) |
| Product Type | Postset (uncancelled stamp sheet + 3 postcards) |
| Number of Stamps | 3 (frame stamps / kaderpostzegels) |
| Denomination | 1 (domestic mail up to 20 g) |
| Included Postcards | 3 unique designs |
| Illustrator | Medy Oberendorff |
| Theme | Butterflies of Saba |
| Article Number | 860015 |
| Retail Price | €6.95 |
Why This Issue Matters
The Postset Vlinders Saba is a wonderful addition to any collection of nature-themed stamps, Caribbean philately, or the Beleef de natuur series. The postset format — with its combination of uncancelled stamps and matching postcards — offers collectors a complete storytelling experience.
The illustrations by Medy Oberendorff bring a refined artistic quality to the issue, and the focus on Saba's butterfly diversity highlights the ecological richness of this often-overlooked part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. At €6.95, the postset is also an accessible entry point for collectors interested in the Beleef de natuur series or Caribbean themes.