1333) "Ancient Postal Routes in the Ottoman Empire - 17th Century", Serbia: A set of two Stamps issued by Serbian Post in the denominations of 74 and 108 Dinaras (Dinars): Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.05.2020:

1333) "Ancient Postal Routes in the Ottoman Empire - 17th Century", Serbia: A set of two Stamps issued by Serbian Post in the denominations of 74 and 108 Dinaras (Dinars): Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.05.2020:

The Description of the Stamp issue:

Throughout history, strong and well-organised countries/empires had developed networks for communications and transport.

The Ottoman Empire, within which was Serbia, had a network consisting of "tatars" (post riders) with a large number of horses, "menzulanas" (relay stations), inns and "caravanserais".

Apart from the "tatars", public proclamations and orders were carried from the 17th Century onwards by pedestrian messengers - "sahiyas", especially on shorter distances and in difficult terrains where pedestrians were quicker than horses. "Sahiyas" were hardy, lean people, armed, dressed appropriately and wore jingle bells under the left knee as a sign of recognition. The jingling announced their arrival in a populated place, and the bells helped them keep the rhythm while striding.

Over time, they started to deliver private letters also and small parcels for a fee and passed the news of recent events, fairs, contagions, and all that was relevant at the time for daily life of the people.

After the Second Serbian Uprising, when it was necessary that the news be passed on foot quickly, by relay stations and at shorter distances, Prince Milos used his "tatars". The "tatars", "sahiyas" and later postmen who travelled on coaches used the well-developed and established network of "menzulanas" over four main road routes - (Belgrade-Radujevac, Begrade-Aleksinac, Belgrade-Mokra Gora and Belgrade-Loznica.

This network was organised on the Sava and the Danube, while the ferries and boats and later, ships, comprised the important link in the swift and safe conveyance of mail.

Technical Specifications:

Date of Stamp set issue: 05.05.2020

Expert collaboration: Ljiljana Dordevic, Senior Custodian PTT Museum Belgrade

Artistic Design: Academic painter Boban Savic

The Stamp Set:

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows the "EUROPA" logo at centre left and a post rider ("tatar") announcing his arrival by blowing a bugle on the outskirts of a city/town.

At top right are affixed the two Stamps of 74 and 108 Dinaras (Dinars) issued in the set cancelled with a special Handstamp/Postmark. The Cancellation is dated - "05.05.2020".

The Special Cancellation Postmark is inscribed "PRVIDAN. 11101. BEOGRAD. 5.5.2020 and shows a pigeon mail in the centre.

This Stamp of 74 Dinaras shows a "Sahiya" running along a river to a city/town for delivering mail.

This Stamp of 108 Dinaras shows mail being taken by the river route in two boats.

A Souvenir Sheet of 8 Stamps and a label of the first variant of 74 Dinaras.

A Souvenir Sheet of 8 Stamps and a label of the the second variant of 108 Dinaras.

About Europa Postage Stamps:

Europa Postage Stamps (also known as EUROPA-CEPT- European Conference Postal and Telecommunication Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Postal administrations/Enterprises and bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.

EUROPA Stamps underline cooperation in the posts domain, aimed at promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.

As such, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and cooperation.

When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the EUROPA issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop i.e. the word "Europe" leaning towards the right hand side.

Each year, PostEurop's "Stamps & Philately Group" selects the EUROPA Stamp theme:

1993 - Contemporary Art

1994 - Great Discoveries

1995 - Peace and freedom

1996 - Famous Women

1997 - Tales and Legends

1998 - Festivals and National Celebrations

1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks

2000 - Common Design, Tower of 6 Stars

2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature

2002 - The Curcus

2003 - Poster Art

2004 - Holidays

2005 - Gastronomy

2006 - Integration through the Eyes of Young People

2007 - Scout Centenary

2008 - Writing Letters

2009 - Astronomy

2010 - Children Books

2011 - Forests - International Year of Forests

2012 - Visit ...... (for instance "Visit Finland")

2013 - Van of the Postman

2014 - Musical Instruments - National Musical Instruments

2015 - Old Toys

2016 - Ecology in Europe - "think Green", Common Design

2017 - Castles

2018 - Bridges

2019 - National Birds

2020 - Ancient Postal Routes

2021 - the theme will be "Endangered National Wildlife"

2022 - the theme will be "Stories and Myths"

Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop for 2020:

1) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships, Guernsey. a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A EUROPA set od six stamps brought out by Guernsey Post depicting six Mail Ships that sailed between Guernsey and the United Kingdom: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.04.2020

2) "Ancient Postal Routes, Romanian Principalities XIX Century", Romania: A set of two Postage Stamps of Lei 20.50 and Lei 1.90 issued by "Romfilatelia" (Romanian Post) depicting Ancient Postal Routes and modes of postal transport: Date of Stamp Set issue: 09.04.2020

 3) "Ancient Postal Routes, Biga", Bosnia & Herzgovina: Two EUROPA stamps of 3.00 Euro each depicting a Wagon and the two faces of a Silver Coin issued on 05.04.2020

4) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

 5) "Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships", Jersey, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps depicting the Mail Ships - Rover, the Atalanta, the Cygnus, the Lydia and Isle of Jersey and The Caesarea III, issued by Jersey Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.04.2020

6) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date od Stamp issue: 17.04.2020

7) "Ancient Postal Routes through blizzards, snow covered mountain routes and straits", Faroe Islands: Two Stamps of 17KR and 20KR issued by Posta (Faroe Islands Post) under the Europa theme for 2020: Date of stamp set issue: 27.04.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes during the time of Louis the Great - 14th century", Hungary: A set of two postage stamps issued by Magyar Posta of 650 HUF each: Date of Stamp set issue: 04.05.2020

9) "Ancient Postal Routes in the Ottoman Empire - 17th century" Serbia:A set of two Stamps issued by Serbian Post in the denominations of 74 ans 108 Dinaras (Dinars): Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.05.2020 

Links to Posts on Currency/Coinage of Serbia:

1) National Bank of Serbia issues: Coinage and Currency: "Dinara" or "Dinars"