New stamp issue marks Beijing Olympics

A three-stamp set commemorating the Beijing Olympics will be issued by the Philatelic Bureau of MaltaPost today.

The stamps, which have been designed by Darren Duncan, have face values respectively of €0.05/2c, € 0.12/5c and €1.57/67c.

The stamps are 44.0mm x 31.0mm in size, with a perforation of 13.9 x 14.0 (comb). The stamps have been offset printed by Printex Limited on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper, and will be available in sheets of 10.

Sixteen days of intense competition will follow the grand opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, as 10,700 elite athletes from around the world compete for the 302 gold medals on offer in 28 different sports.

The events will be held in a total of 37 venues, of which 31 are competition venues in Beijing. One World One Dream has been selected as the slogan for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, reflecting the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit: Unity,

Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people everywhere, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future for mankind.
Team Malta members at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are expected to participate in athletics, judo, shooting and swimming. The Games, ending on August 24, will be followed by the XIII Paralympic Games to be held at the same Olympic venues, between September 6 and 17.

This Olympics set is available in First Day Cover format, mint or cancelled, and as a Souvenir Folder and Presentation Pack.

The stamps can be obtained from all MaltaPost branches in Malta and Gozo, from the MaltaPost Mobile Unit, and from the Philatelic Bureau at 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa ( tel. 2596 1720, e-mail philately@maltapost.com ). Additional information on this and past and forthcoming issues is available on www.maltapost.com.

Door knockers on set of stamps

The habbata (door knocker), a relatively small and insignificant item of furniture, though there are elaborate examples of it, has been chosen to feature on a set of four stamps.

The stamps, with face values of e0.26 (Lm0.11c), e0.51 (Lm0.22c), e0.63 (Lm0.27c) and e1.77 (Lm0.76), are 44.0mm x 31.0mm in size, with a perforation of 13.9mm x 14.0mm (comb). The stamps are offset printed on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper by Printex Limited of Qormi, and are available in sheets of 10.

The habbata entered architectural history many years ago as a matter of necessity. However it has survived the mechanical and electric doorbell to become part of our street embellishment .

Available in numerous motifs, shapes and sizes it often reflects the personality and taste of the house owner. Buildings throughout the Maltese Islands can boast of some exceptionally fine examples which qualify as veritable works of art.

Perhaps the most traditional motif in the Islands is that in the shape of a dolphin. These are still manufactured in significant quantities and are much in demand.

The four examples chosen by the artist for this issue are to be found on the doors of the Ministry of Finance in South Street, Valletta (e0.26) the Museum of Fine Arts, also in South Street (e0.51); the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations in Melita Street, Valletta (e0.63); and the Museum of Archaeology in Republic Street, Valletta (e1.77).

These stamps are available as First Day Covers, in mint or cancelled format, and as Souvenir Folders and Presentation Packs. The stamps will be on sale from Wednesday at all MaltaPost postal branches in Malta and Gozo, the MaltaPost Mobile Unit, and the Philatelic Bureau (tel. 2596-1740, email philately@maltapost.com). Additional information on this and other issues is available on the MaltaPost website www.maltapost.com.

Exchange of postge stamps in Liri

MaltaPost has announced the withdrawal from circulation of Lm - denominated stamps and their exchange for dual currency ( €/Lm) denominated stamps.

As from 1st February 2008 only dual-denominated (€/Lm) stamps are to be used for postage purposes; With effect from 1st February until 31st March 2008 the public may exchange 'Lm' only denominated stamps for equivalent denominations €/Lm.

As from 1st February 2008 application Forms for the exchange of stamps may be collected from all MaltaPost outlets.

Application Forms may be deposited at any MaltaPost outlet or forwarded by registered mail to the Stamp Exchange Board, MaltaPost p.l.c., 305, Triq Hal-Qormi, Marsa MTP 1001. All applications will be duly acknowledged;

Applicants should note that duly completed Application Forms must reach MaltaPost p.l.c. by not later than 31st March 2008. An appointment will be arranged in due course for the exchange of stamps at MaltaPost p.l.c. Head Office or in a MaltaPost p.l.c. outlet.

Only mint stamps denominated in just 'Lm' currency and issued after 1st January 1998 will be accepted for exchange purposes.

The surcharge applied to Christmas Issue stamps will not be taken into consideration and only the basic denomination will be exchanged. Exchange of stamps does not apply in respect of stamps printed or sold that they be used only for purposes of philately;

No stamps are to be enclosed with the Application Form. Stamps will be exchanged once the appointment is set.


by Alan Fenech - alfen@di-ve.com

Malta Post's 2007 year pack

The Year Pack, covering all stamp issues for 2007, will be issued by the Philatelic Bureau of MaltaPost plc today.

This Year Pack is presented in its usual attractive folder, with a photograph of Caravaggio's masterpiece The Beheading of St John. Another Caravaggio masterpiece, the St Jerome - A Portrait Of The Hermit Saint - is also featured in the issue.

The pack, the 20th in the Year Pack series, will be available from all MaltaPost outlets in Malta and Gozo as from Monday and from the Philatelic Bureau at the MaltaPost head office, 305, Triq Ħal-Qormi, Marsa.

It retails at €59.00 (Lm25.33). Year Packs from 1994 to date, are also available through the Philatelic Bureau, tel. 2596 1740, email: philately@maltapost.com.