1359) Ancient Postal Routes, Malta: EUROPA 2020 theme: Malta Post has issued two postage stamps of the values of 0.59 Euro & 2.00 Euro as part of the PostEurop's campaign this year: Date of Stamps issue: 09.05.2020:

1359) Ancient Postal Routes, Malta: EUROPA 2020 theme: Malta Post has issued two postage stamps of the values of 0.59 Euro & 2.00 Euro as part of the PostEurop's campaign this year: Date of Stamps issue: 09.05.2020:

About EUROPA Stamps:

EUROPA Postage Stamps (also known as EUROPA-CEPT - European Conference Postal and Telecommunication Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Conference Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of 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 cooperation and integration.

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

Since 2002, a design competition has also been associated with this - the EUROPA Stamp Best Design Competition.The competition is organised by PostEurop.

Each year, PostEurop's Stamps and Philately Group selects the EUROPA Stamps theme. The themes since 1993 have been:

1993 - Contemporary Art

1994 - Great Discoveries

1995 - Peace and Freedom

1996 - Famous Women

1997 - Tales and Legends

1998 - Festivals and National Velebrations

1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks

2000 - Common Design - Tower of 6 Stars

2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature

2002 - The Circus

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

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"

Malta Post has issued two Stamps under the EUROPA 2020 theme - "Ancient Postal Routes":

The two Stamps of 0.59 Euro & 2.0 Euro issued in the set

The first EUROPA 2020 stamp of 0.50 Euro, features a map of the Mediterranean Sea with Malta, Sicily and Italy at its core. Being an island, key naval routes are highlighted such as Malta-Pozzallo, Malta-Messina and Malta-Naples routes. A vessel known as "I-Ixprunara" or  "Speronara" features on the left hand side.

These small merchant vessels originated in Malta and became a popular means of marine transport. Using both sail and oars, they were swift and convenient, ferrying passengers and cargo - including mail - around the Mediterranean.

The second EUROPA 2020 Stamp of 2.0 Euro, bears a portrait of Francisco de Tassis, who was a 15th century pioneer of the Postal Service in Europe and tasked Emperor Maximilian I to reform the courier system in Burgundy and the Netherlands.

In time, this new Postal Service grew as de Tassis founded new Postal stations in major European cities, thereby guaranteeing a complete service over the years.

De Tassis commercialised this service by establishing fast and stable connections which evolved into the globalised Postal Network Service we have today. His portrait depicts him as a successful entrepreneur complete with symbols of his role and standing in society - a letter, coins and a cylibdrical postal container.

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows, at left, the map of the Mediterranean Sea. At extreme left is the title of this FDC - "ANCIENT POSTAL ROUTES, EUROPA2020".

At top right are affixed the two stamps issued in the set cancelled with a special Handstamp/Postmarkof Malta Philatelic Bureau dated - "09.05.2020", showing a small merchant vessel in the centre.

The Presentation Pack of the two Stamps set containing detailed descriptions of the stamp issue.

A Collectible Presentation Pack carrying a Cancelled Special Handstamp/Postmark.

The Cover of a Stamp Booklet carrying 5 stamps of the first variant of 0.59 Euro each.

Two Blocks of four Stamps each of the two variants.

Two Full Sheets (FS) of 11 Stamps of each variant.

A Maxi Card having all three - Picture, Stamps and Cancellation all on one side/face.

The technical details:

Stamps issue date: 09.05.2020

Designer: Miguel Farrugia - Malta Post

Process: Offset

Size: Sheet Size: 158.0 mm x 150.0 mm

         Stamp Size: 44.0 mm x 31.0 mm

Stamp values: 0.59 Euro & 2.00 Euro

Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop "EUROPA-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 

10) "Ancient Postal Routes, Santa Claus", Finland: A EUROPA Stamp released by "Posti" (Finland Post): Date of Stamp release: 06.05.2020

11) "Ancient Postal Routes, through Rheinhausen-Basel-Zurich", Switzerland: EUROPA theme for 2020: A set of two Postage stamps of 100 Swiss francs each issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020

12) "Ancient Postal Routes - Packet ships The Lady Mary Wood (1842) and SS Iberia (1836)", Gibraltar: EUROPA 2020 Theme: A set of two Postage stamps in the denominations of 1.66 Pounds & 2.86 Pounds issued by Gibraltar Post: Date of Stamps issue: 08.05.2020

13) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020

14) "Ancient Postal Routes - by Horse Transport & Bicycles", Latvia: EUROPA 2020 theme: A set of two postage stamps of 1,35 Euro and 1.42 Euro issued by "Latvijas Pasts" (Latvian Post): Date of Stamp set issue: 08.05.2020

15) "Ancient Postal Routes - 18th Century", Monaco: EUROPA 2020 theme: A postage stamp of 1.40 Euro issued by "La Poste de Monaco" (Monaco Post) on 06.05.2020

16) "Ancient Postal Routes - Within and Outside Europe", Iceland: Two Postage Stamps issued by "Islandpostur" (Iceland Post) in the denominations of ISK 3150: Date of Stamps issue: 07.05.2020

17) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Old Road Majstorska Cesta", Croatia: A Se-tenant of two Stamps of the values of 8.60 HRK issued by Croatian Post: Date of stamp issue: 08.05.2020

<sub><sup>18) "Ancient Postal Routes - Historical Postal Routes Thurn & Taxis", Austria" Stamp issue date: 06.05.2020

19) Ancient Postal Routes, Netherlands: Theme of 2020-Europa Stamps: PostNL has issued a 6-Stamp Sheet featuring Ancient Postal Routes followed by Von Thurn und Taxis Postal Services during the 17th to 19th Centuries: Date of Stamp Sheet issue: 11.05.2020

20) Ancient Postal Routes - 2 historic spots on "Tartu-Voru Road" Estonia: EUROPA 2020 theme: "Omniva" (previously "Eesti Post) - Estonian Post - has issued stamps of the value of 1.90 Euro each, featuring two historic stops on the old Tartu-Varu Road: Date of Stamps issue: 14.05.2020

21) "Ancient Postal Routes - from the times of the Imperial roman Empire", Spain: Correos (Spanish Post) has issued a Premium Sheet of six stamps of the value of "B" Tariff each: Date of Stamp issued: 14.05.2020

22) Ancient Postal Routes, Malta: Europa 2020 theme: Malta Post has issued two postage stamps of the values of 0.59 Euro and 2.00 Euro as part of the PostEurop's campaign this year: Date of Stamps issue: 09.05.2020</sup></sub>

For posts on Central Bank of Malta issues, please visit the following links:

1) Baptism of Christ: "Europa Coin Programme": Baroque & Rococo periods: Guiseppe Mazzuli's famed statue depicted on Central Bank of Malta Gold and Silver coins issued on 14.03.2018

2) Central Bank of Malta celebrates its 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) milestone: A new 10 Euro Silver Crown Coin and a Gold Proof 100 Euro coin issued on 17.04.2018

3) Valletta, Malta - "European Capital of Culture - 2018": A 10 Euro Silver Coin and a Silver Foil replica of a 26c Stamp brought out by Central Bank of Malta 

4) Ggantija Temples, Malta: "Maltese Pre-historic Temples Coin Series": (Part I): First coin in the Series issued in 2016

5) Hagar Qim Temples: Maltese Pre-historic Temples Coin Series": (Part II): Second Coin in the series issued on 27.06.2017

6) Mnajdra Temples: "Maltese Pre-historic Temples Coin Series": (Part III): Third Coin in the Series issued on 21.06.2018

7) Malta: Renaissance Era Ship design depicting the Order of St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna" features of the latest Europa Silver Star Programme issue from the Central Bank of Malta: Coin issue date: 15.03.2019

8) Ta' Hagrat Temples, Malta: "Maltese Pre-historic Temples Coin Series" depicting UNESCO World Heritage List featured Megalithic Temple Complexes in Malta: Fourth Coin in the Series: Date of issue: 22.07.2019

9) "Suez Canal": Central Bank of Malta issues a 150th Anniversary Silver commemorative Coin of 10 Euros (1869-2019), minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Coin issue date: 18.11.2019

10) i) "Europa Coin Programme" or the "European Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme" ii) Central Bank of Malta issues 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver) Proof Coins featuring "Architecture and artwork of the gothic Era" in 05/2020 (which is a part of the wider programme focussing on the ages of Europe: Date of Coins issue: 08.05.2020

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