Europa postage stamp
Encyclopedia
Europa stamps have been issued annually since 1956. First sets representing the founding 6 members of the ECSC
, European Coal and Steel Community, then by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
(CEPT) in 1959, (first stamps issued in 1960) and by PostEurop
since 1993. Initially in 1956 a total of 13 stamps were issued with a common design from 6 different countries. A common theme of Peace and Welfare through agriculture and industry was used for 1957. The common design reappeared in 1958 and continued until 1973. From 1974 the designs reflect a common theme. The common design idea replaced the common theme in 1984, which was the CEPT 25th Anniversary (1959-84) and shows a symbolic bridge, said to represent Liaison, Exchange and Communication. With the split of posts and telecoms providers in most countries, CEPT is no longer responsible, but the postal authorities under the guidance of PostEurop
continue the Europa tradition. From 1993 all the stamps have "Europa" inserted into the design in small print. For the new millennium in 2000, the common design once more replaced the common theme. The stamp design for 2000 clearly shows a column of 6 stars representing the original 6 members of the ECSC
. 4 Children,(of different heritage) represent Europe's future and are adding to the Vertical Star Column with the background depicting the GREEN letter E meaning a fertile Europe. CEPT is from the French acronym Conférence Européenne des administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications.
European Coal and Steel Community
The European Coal and Steel Community was a six-nation international organisation serving to unify Western Europe during the Cold War and create the foundation for the modern-day developments of the European Union...
, European Coal and Steel Community, then by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations was established on June 26, 1959, as a coordinating body for European state telecommunications and postal organizations...
(CEPT) in 1959, (first stamps issued in 1960) and by PostEurop
PostEurop
PostEurop is the association of European public postal operators, one of the constituent unions of the Universal Postal Union. PostEurop was created in 1993 to simplify the exchange of mails in Europe, a task previously undertaken by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications...
since 1993. Initially in 1956 a total of 13 stamps were issued with a common design from 6 different countries. A common theme of Peace and Welfare through agriculture and industry was used for 1957. The common design reappeared in 1958 and continued until 1973. From 1974 the designs reflect a common theme. The common design idea replaced the common theme in 1984, which was the CEPT 25th Anniversary (1959-84) and shows a symbolic bridge, said to represent Liaison, Exchange and Communication. With the split of posts and telecoms providers in most countries, CEPT is no longer responsible, but the postal authorities under the guidance of PostEurop
PostEurop
PostEurop is the association of European public postal operators, one of the constituent unions of the Universal Postal Union. PostEurop was created in 1993 to simplify the exchange of mails in Europe, a task previously undertaken by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications...
continue the Europa tradition. From 1993 all the stamps have "Europa" inserted into the design in small print. For the new millennium in 2000, the common design once more replaced the common theme. The stamp design for 2000 clearly shows a column of 6 stars representing the original 6 members of the ECSC
European Coal and Steel Community
The European Coal and Steel Community was a six-nation international organisation serving to unify Western Europe during the Cold War and create the foundation for the modern-day developments of the European Union...
. 4 Children,(of different heritage) represent Europe's future and are adding to the Vertical Star Column with the background depicting the GREEN letter E meaning a fertile Europe. CEPT is from the French acronym Conférence Européenne des administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications.
Common design issues (With the exception of 1957)
| Year | Countries | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... , Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... , Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... , Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south... , Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
A tower in the form of the 6 letters of the word Europa. Designed by Frenchman Daniel Gonzague. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=81266 |
| 1957 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saarland Saarland Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states... , Switzerland |
A common theme of Peace and Welfare through Agriculture and Industry. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=62605 |
| 1958 | Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saarland, Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
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 http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=62749 |
| 1959 | Austria Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... , Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland |
A interlocking keychain made of 4 circles and 4 squares alternating. Designed by Germany's Walter Brudi. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=17785 |
| 1960 | Austria, Belgium, Denmark Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... , Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... , France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... , Ireland Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... , Iceland Iceland Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population... , Italy, Liechtenstein Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan... , Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... , Portugal Portugal Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the... , Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... , Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... , 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=42332 |
| 1961 | Belgium, Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the... , France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino San Marino San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of 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.http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=63300 |
| 1962 | Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco Monaco Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the... , 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.http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8859 |
| 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8863 |
| 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8876 |
| 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8889 |
| 1966 | Andorra Andorra Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of... 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=27734 |
| 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=27778 |
| 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. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=27836 |
| 1969 | Andorra Fr., Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,... , Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican Vatican City Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of... |
'EUROPA' & 'CEPT' inset on 2 sides of an architectural type Colonnade. Designed by Italians Luigi Gashara & Giorgio Belli. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=65739 |
| 1970 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Sun Sun The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields... composed of 24 interwoven fibres. 1 for each 1970 CEPT member. Designed by Irish Artist Louis Le Brocquy.http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=65928 |
| 1971 | Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta Malta Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in... , Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey |
Chain of Os with CEPT in the links. Icelandic Designer was Helgi Haflidason. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=66244 |
| 1972 | Andorra (Fr. & Sp.), Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Designed by Finnish Artist Paavo Huovinen. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=66533 |
| 1973 | Andorra (Fr. & Sp.), Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey | Stylised Post horn Post horn The post horn is a valveless cylindrical brass or copper instrument with cupped mouthpiece, used to signal the arrival or departure of a post rider or mail coach... . Design of 3 Arrows represent Posts,Telegraphs & Telephones.Norwegian Designer was Leif Frimann Anisdahl. http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=66841 |
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 http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=74396 |
| 1994 | 49 | Great discoveries http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=74970 |
| 1995 | 49 | Peace and freedom http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=75466 |
| 1996 | 52 | Famous women http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=75918 |
| 1997 | 54 | Tales and legends http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=76499 |
| 1998 | 57 | Festivals and National Celebrations http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8316 |
| 1999 | 57 | Nature reserves and parks http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=45993 |
| 2000 | 56 | Common Design. Tower of 6 stars http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=23939 |
| 2001 | 57 | Water, treasure of nature http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=36817 |
| 2002 | 58 | The Circus http://www.europeanstamps.net/imagedb2/details.asp?id=8576 |
| 2003 | 58 | Poster art |
| 2004 | 59 | Holidays |
| 2005 | 59 | Gastronomy |
| 2006 | Integration through the eyes of Young People | |
| 2007 | Scout Centenary Scouting 2007 Centenary The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprised celebrations around the world in which Scouts celebrated 100 years of the world Scout movement. The original celebrations were focused on the United Kingdom, such as the camp on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting, and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in... |
|
| 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 |
Sources
- Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
- Encyclopaedia of Postal History
- Stuart Rossiter & John Flower: The Stamp Atlas