On the 4 September 2017 MaltaPost will issue a set of 5 stamps in commemoration of Melchiorre Gafa’s death 350 years ago.

Gafa’, also known as Cafa’ was a Maltese sculptor renowned for his Roman Baroque style. He was born in Vittoriosa Malta in 1636 and baptised as Marcello. However, after his move to Rome in 1658, he was most frequently referred to as Melchior or Melchiorre. His works are to be found in many major international museums and collections.

The €0.20, €0.42, €0.51, €1.00 and €1.16 stamps depict five of Gafa’s works in wax which are currently on display at the Mdina Cathedral Museum. The five bozzetti featured are; La Gloria Di Santa Rosa Da Lima, La Gloria Di Santa Caterina Da Siena, L’Annunciazione, L’Adorazione Dei Pastori and La Natività The stamps will be issued in sheets of 10 stamps with each stamp measuring 31mm x 44mm, a perforation of 13.9x 14.0 (comb.) bearing the Maltese Crosses watermark. The sheets measure 185mm x 115mm. Printex Limited produced the set in offset and the issue consists of 50,000 stamp of each denomination. Photography is by Daniel Cilia and stamp design is by Sean Cini.

This philatelic issue will be available as from Monday 4 September 2017 from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo, by phone on 25961740, online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c.

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