YOUR HOST

Welcome to my world, the world of postage stamps. This hobby is educational and also of great interest. I find it very relaxing and a great past time during our long winter months.

I am EC and I shall be your host. Born in Malta, emigrated to Canada at the age of 18. On April 4th, 1964, I married my best friend, MC. We have three children, a son and two daughters. We also have six grandchildren. Today we're both retired.

In 1989 I took my wife to Malta for our 25th. Wedding Anniversary. This was also my first visit since leaving the island in 1956. My wife is Canadian, so this was a very special visit for her, as she met the rest of my family.

Yes, you guessed it. This site is all about MALTA STAMPS and other interesting philately material.

I started collecting stamps at the age of ten and still collect today. My brothers weren't very keen about hobbies, so my Dad handed his small collection over to me.

Since I am Maltese, my first priority is Malta Stamps. I'm only interested in Mint stamps. The only cancelled items are either on FDC'S, Special Covers or Cards. My Malta collection consists of all philatelic material issued by the Malta GPO (General Post Office).

Please take notice: Current year issues are added as received. The site EC Malta Stamps is a non-profit-making website run entirely voluntarily, and ONLY for my visitors viewing pleasure.

Research on Malta material is being conducted daily; any new findings will be added as received. (Please check Notice Board for any new updates).

Although stamps displayed on the site are from my own collections, I occasionally depend on outside sources for additional stamps, or other philatelic material.

UNLESS SPECIFIED, THE EC NUMBERING SYSTEM IS USED, IF YOU NEED A CROSS REFERENCE NUMBER FOR CATALOGUES: (JB, SAID, SG, SC); PLEASE USE COMMENT FORM BELOW.

EC# 88, 1919 10/- black,

Multiple Crown CA

51 sheets printed (1530 stamps)

The Maltese Islands

Malta, Gozo and Comino; Manoel Island which is bridged to Gzira, and four other uninhabited Islets, Cominotto, Filfla, St. Paul and Fungus Rock (also called General’s Rock). Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, 60 miles South of Sicily, and 179 miles from the North African coast (Tunisia). Alexandria lies to the East, while Gibraltar to the West.

Once you visit the Maltese island, you’ll never want to leave. The history goes back 5000 years. Marvelous buildings, magnificent churches, warm climate year round and crystal clear waters. Delicious cuisines all through the Islands, and a very warm welcome. You’ll find a village feast almost every weekend. Whether in Malta or Gozo, you’ll find that the Maltese are very warm interesting friendly people.

Gozo: I often wondered how the name Gozo originated. A month vacation on the Maltese islands is not considered quite enough time to visit or familiarize yourself with all this beautiful gem in the middle of the Mediterranean has to offer.

Gozo; A very clean beautiful island, the second largest of the Maltese Islands. The island of Gozo is approx. 67 sq. km.

It stands approx. 6 km. northwest of the nearest point of Marfa, Malta. Gozo is accessible by either a ferryboat or helicopter services.

Gozo or Ghawdex changed over the centuries, from Gwl, the name of the Phoenicians sailing ships, to Greeks and Romans names of Gaulos and Gaudos respectively. Then the name Gozo during the Aragonese and Castilian rule. The local Maltese call it Ghawdex.

Comino: The smallest of the inhabited Islands, Comino is only 3.5 sq.km. Other than visitors that vacation at the Comino Hotel, you’ll only find a handful of farmers that live on the Island.

Cominotto: Uninhabited island measuring 0.25 sq km. The island lies 100 meters northwest of Comino Island.

Fungus Rock: Also known as "The General's Rock" A 60 meters lump of limestone. Home to the Malta Fungus Plant; A rare tuber believed to have medicinal properties used by the Knights as dressing for wounds.

Filfla: The island has an area of 15 acres with 60 meters of high cliffs. It is a wonder how it still stands. Filfla was used for target practice by both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy until 1971. It lies 100 meters from Southernmost point of Malta. Today it is a bird reserve.

Manoel Island: A 44 hectares Island (0.4 sq mi), bridged to Gzira with yachts of all shapes and sizes. Let’s say this is how the other half live!

St.Paul's Island: A small island close to Selmun near the north-east of the island of Malta. St. Paul's Island is sometimes split into two islands when the sea is rough. It has been uninhabited since the sole farmer abandoned his tiny dwelling and fields decades ago, thus making it the largest uninhabited island of Malta.

Settlers:

The first Neolithic people to settle in Malta came from Sicily around 5200 - 4000 BC. Then, the islands were greener with flowing waters and wild animals roamed the land.

Rulers in Malta-BC:

Phoenician Rule 800-480BC, Greek Influence 700-600BC, Roman Rule 218BC.

Phoenicians 1000BC, Greeks 700-600BC, Carthaginians 480-218, Romans 218BC.

Rulers in Malta-AD:

Arab Rule 870-1090, Norman Rule 1091-1194, Swabian Rule 1194-1266, Angevin Rule 1266-1283, Aragonese Rule 1283-1412, Aragonese and Castillian Rule 1214-1530.

Arabs 870AD, Normans (Count Roger of Hauteville 1090). Roger II son of Count Roger 1091.

Knights of St. John 1530-1797

Knights of Jerusalem 1530 (GM Philippe Villiers de l'lsle-Adam and later Jean Parisot de la Valette).

French Occupation 1798-1800

France (Napoleon 1798).

British Period 1800-1964

England ruled Malta from 1803 King George III to 1964 Queen Elizabeth II.

House of Hanover – KGIII 1760-1820, KGIV 1820-1830, KWIV 1830-1837, QV 1837-1901.

House of Saxon – Coburg & Gotha - KEVII 1901-1910.

House of Windsor - KGV 1910-1936, KEVIII Jan-Dec 1936, KGVI 1936-1952, QEII 1952-1964).

They all left their mark in Malta.

Independence 1964-1974

Malta became self-reliance in 1964 (Independence).

Republic of Malta 1975-2004

Malta became Republic in 1975.

E.U.M.S. 2004-

In 2004 Malta became a European Union Member State.

National name:

Republic of Malta, with a President and Prime Minister. Colours: White and Red with the George Cross Award. Area: 122 sq miles. Population 398,534 approx.

Co-ordinates:

The Maltese Islands fall within the following co-ordinates: Northern Latitude 36o00'00" Eastern Longitude 14o36'00"

Facts:

Capital: Valletta.

Monetary unit: Euro Currency January 1, 2008.

Official Languages: Maltese and English. Italian, French and German are also spoken. Religion: Roman Catholic 98%

Literacy rate: 93%.

Malta is also a Member of Commonwealth of Nations.

Revised – May 1, 2012

Please note:

White text is permanent. Blue text is updated as needed. Black text is updated monthly.

Dates are entered in: D/M/Y

UPDATES

*Indicate New Updates:

Sitemap

*Home: you are here. Latest 2012 release - below

G.B Stamps Used in Malta:

Queen Victoria:

King Edward VII:

King George V:

King George VI:

Queen Elizabeth II:

Independence:

Republic of Malta p1:

Republic of Malta p2:

Republic of Malta p3:

Republic of Malta p4:

European Union Member State p1:

*European Union Member State p2:

*Malta Miniature Sheets:

Back of Book p1:

*Back of Book p2:

*Back of Book p3:

Links & Disclaimer:

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - NATIONAL HOLIDAYS - VILLAGE FEASTS

2012

JUNE

3 Jun. St Augustine Valletta.

3 Jun. St Catherine Zejtun.

3 Jun. Holy Trinity Marsa.

3 Jun. Our Lady of Fatima G’Mangia.

3 Jun. St Joseph Ghaxaq.

3 Jun. St Anthony Ghajnsielem (Gozo).

7 Jun. Sette Giugno - Comm. 1919 Riot (n/h)

10 Jun. Corpus Christi Ghasri (Gozo), Rabat.

10 Jun. St Philip Zebbug.

17 Jun. Our Lady of the Lily Mqabba.

17 Jun. Sacred Heart of Jesus Fontana (Gozo).

22 Jun. Our Lady of Pinu Ta’ Pinu (Gozo).

24 Jun. St John the Baptist Xewkija (Gozo).

24 Jun. St Nicholas Siggiewi.

24 Jun. St George Qormi.

24 Jun. Sacred Heart of Mary Burmarrad.

29 Jun. St Peter & St Paul (p/h)

29 Jun. St Peter and St. Paul Mdina, Nadur (Gozo).

Village Feasts are courtesy:

The Church in Malta webmaster@maltadiocese.org

MaltaPost Latest News

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Latest Release from MaltaPost

News Details

MaltaPost Rolls Out Historical Mobile Post Office

5/29/2012

Drivers, passengers and pedestrians can shortly expect to see a bright new addition grace Malta's roads - MaltaPost's beautifully-converted 1965 Scammell Tractor will begin its new life as a vintage mobile post office on 30 May.

Following on from 24 months of dedicated restoration works, this vehicle is now in tip-top condition and has been purposely re-built - inside and out - to reflect the needs of MaltaPost's clients. It will be a one-stop-shop for the company's services, and will be scheduled to visit various locations throughout the week, including high-visibility tourist areas.

"This was an exciting project for MaltaPost," explains Joseph Gafá, CEO at MaltaPost plc. "As a company we are always looking at new ways to give our customers more, and this vintage mobile post office promises to do just that - providing a convenient service in a pleasant and historical setting."

The 1965 Scammell previously belonged to Simonds Farsons Cisk Ltd. Over the years this company used the tractor towing a variety of trailers for inner zone transport and local deliveries. The tractors were a popular and familiar sight in the 70s and 80s, and well-cared for by Farsons, but they eventually became less viable thanks to the more modern vehicles that became available.

With this in mind, MaltaPost took the opportunity and secured one of these attractive tractors. The transformation process was in the hands of experienced restorer and bus body builder Manuel Cutajar of Zinnu Bus & Coach Works. "We stayed very true to the original design," he says. "We took the structure and re-built it as new, giving it a beautiful bright red paint job to reflect its new role as a post office. Internally we made it as practical as possible, both for being driven around and for use as an office. It is kitted out with all the necessary facilities, including air-conditioning, lighting and computer points," Mr Cutajar adds.

Now, with the transformation complete, the 1965 Scammell is ready to start its new career. MaltaPost's Vintage Mobile Post Office will be officially inaugurated on 30 May 2012 outside the Law Courts in Valletta, as part of a ceremony attended by the Hon. Minister Austin Gatt and MaltaPost Chairman Joseph Said.

To further mark this occasion, MaltaPost's Philatelic Bureau will be issuing a personalised stamp/cover cover featuring the restored 1965 Scammell, and a Special hand postmark that will be used on 30th May at the Vintage Mobile PostOffice. Orders for this Special Hand Postmark may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001 - Telephone 2596 1740 - e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com