The Maltese balcony is the theme of a set of stamps and a miniature sheet designed by Alfred Caruana Ruggier, to be issued by Maltapost's Philatelic Bureau of plc, on Saturday.

Maltese balconies are believed to be the first open balconies built entirely from stone and which know their origin to mediaeval times.

The wrought iron balcony shown on the 8c stamp offers an interesting composition of the "buckle and three tassels" decoration carved in stone.

The 22c stamp shows an ornate open-stone balcony resting on two corbelled supports while the 27c stamp features the balcony in the centrepiece of the façade of the National Library, which was the last public building to be constructed by the Knights of the Order of St John.

The 29c stamp portrays a Gozitan example reflecting the transition from an open to a closed timber balcony. The 46c stamp illustrates an example of art deco architecture of the 1930s attributed to architect Silvio Mercieca.

The 51c stamp highlights a detail of the ornamented balcony accentuating the portal of Hostel de Verdelin in Valletta, designed by Francesco Buonamici in the mid-17th Century.

The set will be available in First Day Cover format, mint or cancelled, and as a souvenir folder and presentation pack, from postal retail outlets and from the philatelic bureau.

For more details call 2596 1747, send an e-mail to philately@maltapost.com or go to www.maltapost.com.