2410) Centenary of the Republic of Estonia (1918-2018): A €10 (Ten Euro) Silver Stamp brought out by Omniva (Formerly Eesti Post) celebrating the milestone: Date of Silver Stamp issue: 16.05.2018:
The 100th Anniversary of the Estonian Republic (or more commonly termed as "Estonia 100") was an official government programme for the celebration of the "Republic of Estonia's 100th Anniversary (1919-2019)".
The events leading up to Estonia's independence:
On 12.02.1919, the Estonian Provisional Government declared 24th February to be the date of the independence of Estonia from Russia, when World War I was nearing its end.
However, Estonia's independence came to a de facto end during World War II when the country was illegally occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, then by Nazi Germany in 1941, before it was returned to Soviet rule in 1944 when it became the "Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic". As a result, a government in exile was established.
As political upheavals took place throughout the Soviet Union in the 1980s, during the events of the Baltic Way, Estonia declared sovereignty on its territory in 1988, which restored its de facto independence on 08.05.1990 and declared Soviet rule illegal.
Following the aborted coup in Moscow, the country's full de facto independence was restored after the Soviet troops failed to seize the Tallinn TV Tower on 20.08.1991.
The Soviet State Council then recognized the Estonian independence on 06.09.1991.
Since 2004, Estonia has been a member of NATO and the European Union.
The Centenary Celebrations:
The Centenary Anniversary celebrations of the Republic of Estonia anniversary was marked on 24.02.2018, while related celebrations and events took place from April 2017 to February 2020, over a three year period, peaking while events on various important dates took place throughout 2018 and 2019, and coming to a grand close on 2 February 2020 when the "100th anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty" was honoured.
Centenary of the Republic of Estonia Silver Stamp:
The Silver Stamp of 10 Euro. It is titled "EESTI VABARIK 100" (on the top) and "10 €" and "EESTI" (on the lower part).
The Silver Stamp depicts the Coat of Arms/Emblem of Estonia in the centre.
On 24.02.1918, the “Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia”, assembled by the Estonian Provincial Assembly, was printed in Tallinn and it included the following statement:
"In this hour, the Estonian National Council, as the legal representative of our land and people, has, in unanimous agreement with Estonian democratic political parties and organizations, and by virtue of the right of self-determination of peoples, found it necessary to take the following decisive steps to shape the destiny of the Estonian land and people.
Estonia, within his historical and ethnic boundaries, is declared as of today an independent democratic republic.”
The manifesto had been read out to the public already a day before – on 23rd February in Pärnu.
With this independence manifesto, the Estonian people had practiced their right of national self-determination and the independent Republic of Estonia was born.
This Silver postage stamp was issued to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.
Estonian National Emblem/Coat of Arms:
The Coat of Arms of Estonia is a golden shield which includes a picture of three left-facing blue lions with red tongues in the middle, with golden oak branches placed on both sides of the shield.
The Estonian national emblem of three lions originate from the arms of Danish king Valdemar II who conquered northern Estonia in 1219. The lions became part of the greater coat of arms of Tallinn (Reval), the centre of Danish government in Estonia, and the fiefdoms (German: Ritterschaften) of Harria and Viru.
Denmark ruled northern Estonia in the 13th-14th centuries and parts of western Estonia in the 16th-17th century.
A First Day Cover (FDC) bearing the Silver Stamp of 10 Euro at top right. The Cancellation Stamp is of Viljandi Post Office and the cancellation is dated - "22.02.2018".
Technical details:
Issue Date: 22.02.2018
Designer: Indrek Ilves
Printer: Joh. Enschedé
Process: Silver 999/1000
Size: 28.00 mm x 38.00 mm
Silver Stamp Value: €10 (Ten Euros)
(The above Silver Stamp has been gifted for my collection by my friend Jayant Biswas, who is a leading Numismatist and Philatelist. Post researched and compiled by Rajeev Prasad)
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative post."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
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