On 9th May, MaltaPost will issue a set of 2 stamps depicting Malta's iconic postal vans which will be participating to this year's EUROPA competition themed -"Postman Van". The competition invites postal operators from Europe to showcase their countries' postal vehicles.

This annual activity aims to encourage public awareness of Europe's common roots and history. For this year Malta has taken a nostalgic look at postal vans from yesteryear and chose to highlight two particular vehicles - Ford Transit Mark 1 Van and a Lambretta three-wheeler. The Ford Transit Mark 1, on the €0.37 stamp, is seen as it makes its way up to Merchant's Street, Valletta, in front of the Old General Post office that was housed in the Auberge d'Italie, while
the Lambretta three-wheeler on the €1.19 stamp is captured as it drives down Dingli Street, in Sliema.

The Ford Transit Mark 1, €0.37 stamp will be Malta's entry for the Best EUROPA Stamp Contest. The contest is an annual online event where creative entries from across Europe compete for the best design. The best EUROPA stamp will be voted for by, web viewers and PostEurop's members.

The best EUROPA stamp will be voted for by web viewers, and you can participate online at www.posteurop.org/europa2013. Voting will be open on 9 May until 31 August 2013. The set "Postman Van" was designed by Cedric Galea Pirotta and will be issued in a sheetlet bearing 10 stamps. Each stamp measures 40 mm x 38mm, has a perforation of 13.6 x 14.0 (comb.) bearing the Maltese Crosses watermark. Printex Ltd will print 200,000 of the €0.37 and 30,000 of the €1.19 stamp

The set will be available as from Thursday 9th May 2013 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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