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Saturday, 14 May 2022

2343) "The Legend of Calypso & the Legend of the Speranza Cave", Malta: EUROPA - 2022: "Stories and Myths" Theme: MaltaPost has issued two EUROPA Stamps of 59c and €2.00 depicting the Legends/Myths: Date of Stamp issue: 09.05.2022:

2343) "The Legend of Calypso & the Legend of the Speranza Cave", Malta: EUROPA - 2022: "Stories and Myths" Theme: MaltaPost has issued two EUROPA Stamps of 59c and €2.00 depicting the Legends/Myths: Date of Stamp issue: 09.05.2022:

About Europa 2022 - Stamps:

EUROPA Stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations. 

They bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme. 

EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world and have been issued for over 60 years.

Every year a new theme is assigned by PostEurop and all participating countries issue stamps with their own interpretation of the theme. The theme for 2022 is "Stories and Myths"

More about EUROPA Postage Stamps:

EUROPA Postage stamps (also known as Europa - CEPT - European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bears 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 stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.

Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and co-operation.

In 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps.

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 "EUROPA" 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 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" etc.)

2013 - Van of the Postman - Postal vehicles 

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 - Endangered National Wildlife

2022 - Stories & Myths. 

About Europa 2022 - "Stories and Myths" Stamp  issued by  MaltaPost:

 PostEurop stamp theme for 2022 is "Stories and Myths".

The EUROPA Stamp issued by MaltaPost features the legend of the "The Legend of Calypso and The Legend of the Speranza Cave":

MaltaPost  has issued on 09.05.2022, EUROPA stamps depicting the "Legend of Calypso and The Legend of the Speranza Cave".

The Legend/Myths - Background:

This philatelic issue by MaltaPost consists of a set of two stamps with the theme Stories and Myths.

The stamps depict two popular local legends - one of the Calypso Cave and the other of the cave at Speranza Valley. These Stamps have been  designed by Fabio Agius, the co-creator of Wicked Comics and a long-standing MaltaPost staff member.

The designs are a marked departure from more traditional ones and focus on the flat bold colouring, which is so typical of comic art.

The Legend of Calypso:

As the legend narrates, Ulysses' ship was hit by a violent storm, causing him to be the only survivor of his shipwreck. After a few days of clutching a broken mast, he spied land and swimming towards it, found food, water, flowers, and beautiful girls.

The nymph Calypso appeared from within a cave giving him food and shelter. 

Ulysses spent a good many years, "....in heaven with a queen..." as the legend goes, but others have speculated that he was her captive.

After a number of years, it was time to return home and he prayed to the Gods to help him. 

After much persuasion Calypso reluctantly let him go, giving him, food, water, and sails for his boat. 

If one heads to Ramla l-Hamra beach, one can spot Calypso's Cave up within the rock face.

 One version of the legend places Calypso on the island of Ogygia (Sicily), however the renowned Greek historian Callimachus places it on Gozo, Malta's sister island.

Legend of Speranza Cave:

According to the book "Naghrfu l-Leggendi Maltin" by Guido Lanfranco, the legend recounts how while a young girl was gathering grass in Mosta field, when she heard voices in the distance, only to be chased by two corsairs. She was far from home and needed a hiding place fast, so she took shelter in a nearby cave.

While praying to Our Lady for Salvation, a spider began weaving a cobweb all across the cave's entrance. As a result of this the corsairs did not eThis philatelic issue by MaltaPost consists of a set of two stamps with the theme Stories and Myths.

The stamps depict two popular local legends - one of the Calypso Cave and the other of the cave at Speranza Valley. These Stamps have been  designed by Fabio Agius, the co-creator of Wicked Comics and a long-standing MaltaPost staff member.

The designs are a marked departure from more traditional ones and focus on the flat bold colouring, which is so typical of comic art.

The Stamps:

The two stamps of 50c and €2.00 depicting the Legends of Calypso and the Speranza Cave

The First Day Cover (FDC) depicts the Legend of Calypso at left.

At top right are affixed the two EUROPA - 2022 Stamps issued in the set, cancelled with a special Cancellation Postmark/Handstamp of Malta Post. The Cancellation Date is - "09.05.2022".

The Presentation Pack (PP).

A Presentation Pack (PP) with Cancelled Stamps bearing the special Post Mark - Collectible.

Blocks (sets of four Stamps each) of the two Variants.

A Maxi or Maximum Card: These Cards have all three elements on one face of the Card - the Stamp, the picture and the Cancellation Stamp.

Two Sheetlets (S) of the two Variants bearing 11 Stamps each and a coupon/label.

The Stamp Booklet.

Technical details:

Issue Date: 09.05.2022

Designer: Fabio Aguis

Process: Offset Printing

Stamp Values: 59c, €2.00

Sheet Size: 150.00 mm x 160.00 mm





Links:

Links to posts on "Stories and Myths"" on this Blog, the theme of PostEUROP "EUROPA -2022:






















Links to posts on "Endangered National Wildlife" on this Blog, the theme of PostEUROP "EUROPA -2021:


























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
















Links to Posts on "European Year of Rail":



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












2 comments:

  1. Rajan Trikha has commented:
    "Very colourful creation 👍"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These are indeed very beautiful stamps by MaltaPost.

      Delete