Stamp Giveaway, Series 2, #41 and Major Announcement [solved]

THIS IS THE LAST GIVEAWAY OPEN TO EVERYONE. My thanks to the participants outside the USA.

Copernicus (Rwanda souvenir sheet)

Rowland Hill (Central African Empire gold single and souvenir sheet; Mauritania set and souvenir sheet; Sao Tome and Principe 2 souvenir sheets)

The first Belgian stamps were printed in sheets of 200. What year did this change and what was the changed number?  Winning entry will be the first received with correct information at or before 2 PM, December 3, 2022. If correct reply is not received, the winner will be the earliest reply. My decision as to the winner will be final. Competition is open to everyone. Good luck to those who choose to participate!

The bad news is that I have finally run out of stamps and souvenir sheets that fit in regular size envelopes and postage for larger size parcels except to the USA is prohibitive. So my idea is to limit the competitions for larger sheets, larger sheets in combination with singles and sets, a booklet and some booklet panes, and some larger unfolded strips to participants with USA addresses (either their own or of someone who is willing to supply the stamps to a foreign participant). Before I finalize my plans I would like to hear from anyone who has different ideas. I just searched around the 'net and it seems postage for mailing merchandise (including stamps) internationally is around $15 at the cheapest and one must also supply a customs form. You can ship “documents” internationally as letters but anything that requires being rigid (like stamps and banknotes) must be internationally shipped as parcels. Also larger mailings are most likely to be stolen, especially if not using tracking, another large fee.

Will

This changed on 1861 when the size of the sheets was increased to contain 300 stamps.

Found it here: https://www.rfrajola.com/MSJ/Belgium.pdf (page 6)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sad to hear that it's the last of your quizzes that is open worldwide.

Sad, but you made clear that this moment would arrive someday, and here we are.

It was very fun while it lasted, because we always learned something at the end of the rounds.

And your questions made me and others look forward for the end of every round just to know what would be the answer, not only because it made us curious but because we knew that the answer would be a very interesting story.

Best of luck for you for the next phase of the quiz contest.

I found the change from 200 to 300 was in 1863. https://mystampworld.com/belgian-philately

I have decided to name Giobruno and waisaacs joint winners. My source agrees with that of waisaacs and the source of Giobruno also seems authoritative. Giobruno gets the stamps mentioned while I shall pick something from my remaining stamps for wasisaacs, perhaps a British Agatha Christie booklet. Thanks, guys!

Thanks Will, that's a generous resolution!

I echo Giobruno's thoughts on the contest and it's history.  Always fun and educational.

Best.