2018-08-21 Tue

Malta stamps were first issued in 1860, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Before the appearance of the first Malta stamps in 1860, the postage stamps of Great Britain were used in the island.

It was not until the year 1899; the first indigenous Malta stamps were issued. Also known as the first pictorial definitive stamps of Malta, these stamps issued between 1899 and 1901were issued with lower denominations.

The Four Pence Half Penny stamp Dark brown stamp featured Gozo Island fishing boat. The Gozo Boat was a type of settee-rigged boat originating from Malta which was the main means of transport across the Gozo Channel. The stamp features a typical two masted, bowl shaped boat is in the centre. The name of the country and two Maltese crosses at corners on top. The denomination is in a rectangle at the bottom.

The five pence Brownish red stamp features an Ancient Galley. The boat is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by rowing and is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft and low freeboard. The stamp features the boat in the centre flanked by Maltese cross on left and Maltese Flag on right. The name of the country and two Maltese crosses at corners on top. The denomination is in a rectangle at the bottom.

With the very wide range of subject matter, and the fact that many of the early pictorial definitive stamp issues of Malta are engraved, the stamps of Malta make up an aesthetically beautiful collection.

Image Courtesy: https://colnect.com