On 9th May 2020, MaltaPost will join other European postal administrations by the release of a philatelic stamp set bearing the theme ‘Ancient Postal Routes'.

EUROPA stamps highlight the cooperation between European postal administrations and seek to promote philately and build awareness of the common goals, roots, culture and history of Europe.

The Malta issue includes two stamps - the first features a map of the Mediterranean showing the maritime routes between Malta, Pozzallo, Messina and Naples.

The second stamp features a portrait of Francesco I de Tassis who was the 15th century pioneer of the postal service in Europe.

The stamps will be issued in a sheet of 11 stamps, with each stamp measuring 44mm x 31mm, with a comb perforation 14.0 x 13.9 and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measures 150mm x 158mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the offset process. The issue consists of 30,800 of the €0.59 stamp and 33,000 of the €2.00 stamp. The design was set by Miguel Farrugia, MaltaPost.

The €0.59 stamp will be Malta's entry for the ‘2020 EUROPA Online Stamp Contest'.,an annual online event where stamp designs from across Europe compete for the best entry. The public is invited to view the entries and vote by visiting www.posteurop.org/europa2020 The online competition will end on 9 September 2020 and the winning stamps will be announced at the PostEurop Plenary Assembly to be held on October 2020 in Dublin, Ireland.

This philatelic issue will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo as from Saturday 9th May 2020. Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; Telephone: 2596 1740, e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com

Download Press Release (English and Maltese)