| Added by |
 Bart Perdieus
|
| General Description : | Pigeon racing is the sport of releasing specially trained racing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance. The time it takes the animal to cover the specified distance is measured and the bird's rate of travel is calculated and compared with all of the other pigeons in the race to determine which animal returned at the highest speed. The sport achieved a great deal of popularity in Belgium in the mid 19th century. The pigeon fanciers of Belgium were so taken with the hobby that they began to develop pigeons specially cultivated for fast flight and long endurance called Voyageurs. From Belgium the modern version of the sport and the Voyageurs which the Flemish fanciers developed spread to most parts of the world. Once quite popular, the sport has experienced a downturn in participants in some parts of the world in recent years, possibly due to the rising cost of living, aging fanciers, and a severe lack of public interest. |
| Face value | 0,82 Euro |
| Catalog code (Michel) | BE 3208 |
| Catalog code | Yvert et Tellier BE 3152 Belgium BE 3159 WADP Numbering System - WNS BE015.03 Unificato BE 3154 |
| Stamp colour | multicolor |
| Stamp use | Mini-sheet stamp |
| Print run | 578.197 |
| Issue date | 22/02/2003 |
| Designer | Michel Provost |
| Print technique | photogravure |
| Perforation | 11 1/2 |
| Height | 48.00 mm |
| Width | 38.00 mm |
| Catalog prices | No catalog prices set yet |
![[G702] Belgium 2003 railway good sheet very fine MNH](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/pycAAOSwTFpmJSUB/s-l225.jpg)
![[G701] Belgium 2003 railway good sheet very fine MNH](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/TfsAAOSwkA1mJSTF/s-l225.jpg)
