On 10 August, MaltaPost will issue a set of no less than eighty-eight stamps commemorating the 70th anniversary of the arrival at the Grand Harbour of the Santa Marija Convoy on 15 August 1942.

This heroic convoy consisted of 13 freighters and one tanker and was escorted by four aircraft carriers, two battleships, seven cruisers, 33 destroyers and several other supporting ships. Each stamp, which has a face value of €0.26, depicts one of the various ships that somehow took part in the historical operation.

The set, titled '70th Anniversary Operation Pedestal - 1942-2012', was designed by Cedric Galea Pirotta and will be issued on 10 August 2012 in 11 sheets, each with eight different stamps. Each stamp measures 44.0mm x 31.0mm, has a perforation of 13.9 x 14.0 (comb.) bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. Printex Ltd will print 80,000 sets in the offset process.

A publication giving a detailed account of the operation by John A Mizzi and suitably illustrated is being published by Midsea Books in collaboration with MaltaPost. The stamps and the book will be available from 10 August from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo. Orders may be placed online at maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001; Telephone: 2596 1740, e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com

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