Europa postage stamp
Europa stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations/ enterprises under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.
EUROPA stamps underlines cooperation in the posts domain, taking into account 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 cooperation and in 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps. Over the years, EUROPA stamp has gained more interest within the Postal community as well as with philatelist, and reflects the engagement from the members in diligently participating in the competition.
- Faeroese Europa stamp 1979 with the CEPT logo
- Faeroese Europa stamp 1996 with the EUROPA logo
History
From 1956 to 1993
The Europa issue (also known as Europa - CEPT until 1992) is an annual joint issue of stamps with a common design or theme by postal administrations member of the European Communities (1956-1959), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT from 1960 to 1992), then the PostEurop Association since 1993.
The first Europa issue dates back to 15 September 1956. The postal administrations of the founding six members of the ECSC issued stamps with a common design: a tower made up of the letters of the word "EUROPA" and surrounded by construction scaffolding.
In 1959, these stamps are jointly issued by the member countries of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications, the initials of which (“CEPT”) are displayed on the stamps of the joint issue as of 1960.
There is a common design theme from 1956 to 1973, (with the exception of 1957). However, many countries issue a stamp that does not feature the common pattern but just displays the word "EUROPA". Common theme issues ran out of steam and after 1973, CEPT allowed countries to issue stamps with different designs.
It should be noted that Andorra has issued Europa Stamps since 1966 (French) and 1972 (Spain). Andorra cannot Join PostEurop as its Postal System is looked after independently by both France and Spain.
As before from 1974, the designs freely reflect a common theme. Of note is the CEPT logo indicating it is a Europa CEPT stamp issue. The success of Europa issues among collectors prompted many postal administrations of small countries or territories dependent of European countries (the Channel Islands for instance) to join the issuing countries in the 70s. The number of participants reaches 35 in the 80s. Turkey has participated continuously since 1960, and communist Yugoslavia from 1969. The collapse of the communist bloc brings new issuers as of 1990 to reach 57 countries in the late 90s.
Since 1993
When the CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa issues as well as the responsibility for perpetuating the tradition of the EUROPA stamps and ensuring its evolution. Therefore, the CEPT logo has been replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop, i.e. the word "EUROPA" leaning to the right.
Although in 2006 the member countries of PostEurop have chosen the theme of “Integration as seen by young people” instead of a theme related to the 50th anniversary of Europa issues, several countries have issued stamps or stamps on stamps showing the first common designs of the years 1950-1970, most often with the CEPT logo which was no longer found on Europa stamps since 1993. An anniversary logo (the number 50 in the middle of a star with 5 branches) is also featured on these stamps.
In order to promote Europa issues among philatelists, PostEurop created in 2002 an annual competition of the “Best Europa stamp”.
Since 2005, several non-European countries and non-PostEurop Members have issued stamps in connection with this anniversary. In Europe, some countries, including Serbia-and- Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, Gibraltar, Cyprus, etc. also participated in these issues.
Until 2006, only representatives of the various postal administrations were entitled to elect the best Europa stamp during the Plenary Assembly of PostEurop.
Since 2007, the winner is elected through an open and public voting procedure on the PostEurop website.
By January 2011, the new EUROPA logo, preceded by a symbolic reminder of the mailbox, applies, and for the first time, a Jury Prize Competition is designed by seven philatelic experts.
Common design issues (with the exception of 1957)
Year | Countries | Topic |
---|---|---|
1956 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands | A tower in the form of the 6 letters of the word Europa. Designed by Frenchman Daniel Gonzague. |
1957 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saarland, Switzerland | A common theme of Peace and Welfare through Agriculture and Industry. |
1958 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saarland, Turkey | A dove flying above the letter E of Europe. Symbolising the co-operation of the European Postal Services as a vehicle of realizing a United Europe. Designed by Dutchman Andre Van der Vossen |
1959 | Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland | An interlocking keychain made of 4 circles and 4 squares alternating. Designed by Germany's Walter Brudi. |
1960 | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey | The letter O of the word Europa is a Roman mail-coach wheel with 19 spokes, 1 for each 1960 member of CEPT. Design by Finnish artist Pentti Rahikainen. |
1961 | Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Stylised dove made up of 19 individual doves. 1 for each 1961 member of CEPT. Designed by Dutch Artist Theo Kurpershoek. |
1962 | Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | A stylised tree with 19 leaves. 1 leaf for each 1962 member of CEPT. Designer was Lex Weyer from Luxembourg. |
1963 | Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | A stylised cross design composed of 4 3-sided U shapes with CEPT inlaid. Designed by Arne Holm of Norway. |
1964 | Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Flower with 22 petals. 1 petal for each 1964 member. Designed by Georges Betemps of France. |
1965 | Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Tree sprig. Designed by Hoerder Karlsson from Iceland. Three leaves said to represent Posts,Telegraphs and Telephones. |
1966 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Symbolic Ship. Representing CEPT steady progress on a Calm Sea. Designed by German brothers Josef and Gregor Bender. |
1967 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Cogwheels.CEPT Wheel has 22 teeth, one tooth for each 1967 members of CEPT. Belgian Designer was Oscar Bonnevalle. |
1968 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Key with CEPT in handle, said to be opening the door to a United Europe. Designer was Swiss Painter Hans Schwarzenbach. |
1969 | Andorra Fr., Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican | 'EUROPA' & 'CEPT' inset on 2 sides of an architectural type Colonnade. Designed by Italians Luigi Gasbara & Giorgio Belli. |
1970 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Sun composed of 24 interwoven fibres. 1 for each 1970 CEPT member. Designed by Irish Artist Louis Le Brocquy. |
1971 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Chain of Os with CEPT in the links. Icelandic Designer was Helgi Haflidason. |
1972 | Andorra (Fr. & Sp.), Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Designed by Finnish Artist Paavo Huovinen. |
1973 | Andorra (Fr. & Sp.), Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Stylised Post horn. Design of 3 Arrows represent Posts,Telegraphs & Telephones.Norwegian Designer was Leif Frimann Anisdahl. |
Common theme issues of CEPT (with the exception of 1984)
Common theme issues of PostEurop (with the exception of 2000)
Year | Participating Countries | Topic |
---|---|---|
1993 | 46 | Contemporary art |
1994 | 49 | Great discoveries |
1995 | 49 | Peace and freedom |
1996 | 52 | Famous women |
1997 | 54 | Tales and legends |
1998 | 57 | Festivals and National Celebrations |
1999 | 57 | Nature reserves and parks |
2000 | 56 | Common Design. Tower of 6 stars |
2001 | 57 | Water, treasure of nature |
2002 | 58 | The Circus |
2003 | 58 | Poster art |
2004 | 59 | Holidays |
2005 | 59 | 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" or "Visit Spain" etc.) | |
2013 | Van of the Postman - Postal vehicles (celebrating PostEurop's 20th anniversary) | |
2014 | Musical instruments - national musical instruments | |
2015 | Old toys | |
2016 | Ecology in Europe - "Think Green". Common Design (celebrating the 60th anniversary of Europa Stamps) | |
2017 | Castles[1] | |
2018 | Bridges[1] |
References
- 1 2 "EUROPA Stamps". Retrieved 2016-03-06.
Sources
- Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
- AskPhil – Glossary of Stamp Collecting Terms
- Encyclopaedia of Postal History
- Stuart Rossiter & John Flower: The Stamp Atlas
- PostEurop's website
Further reading
- Europa CEPT, PostEurop 2005: Thematic Stamps Catalogue; specialized. Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain: Domfil, 2004 ISBN 8495615231, 392p.
- Europa Study Unit. Europa Stamps. Milwaukee, WI.: American Topical Association, 1962, 35p.
- Schneider, Andreas. Europa-Thematik Spezialkatalog. Essen: A. Schneider, 1982, 267p.
- Staedal, Paul. Europe-Philatelie III: Spezial Katalog der Europaischen Briefmarken und Sonderstempel. Strasbourg: Europa F. D. C. Service, 1976–77
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Europa stamps. |
- CEPT. Conference of European Postal & Telecommunications
- PostEurop Web site
- SelloSpain.com: Spanish Europa issued stamps (archived)
- Europa stamps news and information blog
- Philatelism.com: Europa stamps of Cyprus