First Malta stamp is 150 years old
MaltaPost will be holding a series of activities next month to mark the 150th Anniversary of the first Malta stamp.
The Queen Victoria Half Penny was issued for local use in December of 1860. The engraver of the die of the stamp was Jean Ferdinand Joubert de la’ Ferte, and the stamp was printed by Thomas de la Rue in UK.
The Halfpenny Yellow was introduced and covered the cost of a letter up to ½ oz. in weight. It was used between 1860 and 1885. Due to different issue dates the Halfpenny yellow comes in a variety of shades, watermarks and perforations.
The activities will include an exhibition featuring Malta's first stamps together with postal items that have been used in these last 150 years. Also on display will be artworks by various Maltese artists that were produced for the design of stamps.
The exhibition will be held at the National Library and will be open to the public for a month from December 1.
MaltaPost will also issue a philatelic commemorative miniature sheet entitled ‘150th Anniversary First Malta Stamp 1st December 1860’ to commemorate this event.
Joseph Gafà, MaltaPost CEO said that a number of expert talks will be held at the National Library focusing on the Halfpenny Yellow Malta Stamp.
A number of open days will also be held at the MaltaPost Premises. The visits will include tours in a number of departments including the Central Mail Room. This will give the opportunity to the public to observe the full process behind delivering the mail.
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A.Vella
Nov 10th 2010, 14:09
Very interesting
carmel callus
Nov 10th 2010, 07:54
The Philatelic Bureau needs a revamp.
S. Mugliett
Nov 9th 2010, 22:37
The commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the fist Malta stamp and the planned postal museum are laudable initiatives by Maltapost.
However it is also a fact that Maltapost issues philatelic items without (enough) prior notice. Today's Christmas set is a case in point. The press release was published on the website this morning, on the first day of issue. Other postal administrations publish such information well in advance and they even notify their regular customers by sending a brochure and (or) an email.
A.Grech
Nov 9th 2010, 16:45
Well done MaltaPost. Thanks for this Christmas present you are offering to the Maltese people, especially to the Malta collection philatelist. As a member of the Gozo Philatelic Society I hope to see some Gozo related items on show.
karl Fene
Nov 10th 2010, 13:55
Why Gozo? Not worth the hassle mate! Do your own! All gozitens think for themselves by nature so do your own stuff
Vince Calleja
Nov 9th 2010, 16:26
Simply phatetic! We philatelists are simply left out of every initiative! Today Maltapost issues the traditional Christmas Issue with no pre-advice! The press release was issued only this morning. In the old days we were adviced with months in advance of the next issue.
C. Conti
Nov 9th 2010, 16:16
Interesting - Can somebody put an estimated price to the stamp if sold at auction ?
victor rodenas
Nov 9th 2010, 17:22
The 1860 half-penny pale yellow costs,.......mint......1000 euros and used ..500 euros.
Jesmond Micallef
Nov 9th 2010, 16:13
Very interesting. The way how different form of scripts are identified, if not typed, is intriguing really. The open day should provide people with a very good insight on how post works. Reminds me of the stamp colection I once had. The old blue stamp depicting the Pheonician remains at Ta' Silg comes to mind here. Indeed, the postal service is a centuries operation spread across every corner of the world. Very fascinating.
May I also congratulate MaltaPost and its CEO, Mr. Joseph Gafa', (ex De La Salle boy !!) for this initiative which brings people closer to their local postmen and women really. Nice.
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