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Malta Stamps


Malta stamps were first issued in 1860, during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Satellite Image of the Mediterranean Sea
Showing the Location of Malta  (white circle)


Malta, with 6,000 years of archeological history and about 3,000 years of recorded history, is one of the most important places in the Mediterranean World.  Due to its strategic location between Sicily and Northern Africa, it has been a cherished prize, fought over by many empires, since the beginning of time.  The generalized chart below reflects the many political changes that have taken place during Malta's evolution.

Megalithic Cultures
Bronze Age Cultures
Phoenician Colonization / Phoenician Empire
Persian Empire
Carthaginian Empire
Roman Republic / Roman Empire
Vandal Kingdoms
Byzantine Empire
Arabian Occupations
Normans / Kingdom of Sicily / Spanish Empire
French Empire  (Napoleon)
British Occupation
British Empire Crown Colony
Independent State in British Commonwealth
Independent Republic


4,000 BC
2,500 BC
1,000 BC
539 BC
480 BC
264 BC
454
533
870
1224
1798
1800
1814
1964
1974

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2,500 BC
1,000 BC
539 BC
480 BC
264 BC
454 AD
533
870
1224
1797
1800
1814
1964
1974

British Postage Stamps used in Malta


Before the appearance of the first Malta stamps in 1860, the postage stamps of Great Britain were used in the island.  Even after that time, British stamps were often used concurrently with those of Malta.  These British stamps can be identified by the "A25" numeral-in-grid postmark or the MALTA circular date stamp.  Three examples are shown above.

These "forerunner" stamps of Malta are actually relatively common and inexpensive, and they can make a beautiful collateral display for any Malta collection.


"Malta"

St. Paul

Considering the massive number of different types and varieties of definitive postage stamps issued by other British colonies during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the postage stamp issues of Malta during this time period are actually rather conservative.  During the reign of Queen Victoria, there were only 20 major issues, and during the reign of King Edward VII, there were only 25 major issues, and all of those include perforation and watermark varieties.

The postage stamps of Malta, as far as major issues, are actually "completable".  According to the 2012 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, there are only three stamps (mint condition) that catalog over $500, and only one of them catalogs over $1,000 ($85 with a revenue cancel).  For most dedicated stamp collectors, that is not an insurmountable task.

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 can make up an aesthetically beautiful collection.

Historical articles and reviews of the postage stamp issues of Malta will eventually appear in the link section at the top of the third column of this page.





eBay Auction and Store Links

Malta Postage Stamps

The following links feature category-focused affiliated seller listings on various eBay sites worldwide. They may enable visitors to shop for and to buy specific items for the particular collecting subject they've just read about. 

The affiliated eBay seller auction lots provided by eBay, Inc. are not the responsibility of the management of this website.  On high priced material, make sure the lots you are buying are properly authenticated.

Remember that the lots on European eBay sites may be priced in EUROS or in British POUNDS.  Shipping charges may be more, and the lots may take longer to arrive.  Also, make sure the foreign seller ships to your country, before bidding on or buying his lot.





 



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