Belgium has issued an attractive 10F. plus 5F. stamp to commemorate The Ostende Company, which was founded in the Austrian Netherlands by a decree of December 13, 1711, from Emperor Charles VI, which gave a 30-year monopoly to trade with Africa and the East and West Indies. In 1724, three ships of the company left Ostende for India and the Far East. The commercial success of this venture ultimately led to the port of Ostende quickly becoming one of the world's most important ports for all kinds of condiments, perfumes, china, silks, cottons, tea, and many other goods. The decree was abrogated however in 1732. The name of the ship on the stamp is uncertain. It was intended that it should show the ship Sint Carolus, but the vessel is apparently the Jong Jacob, from a reproduction of this ship of The Ostende Company.
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