Europa postage stamp

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.

Contents

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. [1]
1957 Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saarland, Switzerland A common theme of Peace and Welfare through Agriculture and Industry. [2]
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 [3]
1959 Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland A interlocking keychain made of 4 circles and 4 squares alternating. Designed by Germany's Walter Brudi. [4]
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. [5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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. [8]
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. [9]
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. [10]
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. [11]
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. [12]
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. [13]
1969 Andorra Fr., Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, 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 Gashara & Giorgio Belli. [14]
1970 Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, 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.[15]
1971 Andorra Fr., Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Jugoslavia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey Chain of Os with CEPT in the links. Icelandic Designer was Helgi Haflidason. [16]
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. [17]
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. Design of 3 Arrows represent Posts,Telegraphs & Telephones.Norwegian Designer was Leif Frimann Anisdahl. [18]

Common theme issues of CEPT (With the Exception of 1984)

Year Participating Countries Topic
1974 23 Sculptures [19]
1975 24 Paintings [20]
1976 27 Handicrafts [21]
1977 28 Landscapes [22]
1978 30 Monuments [23]
1979 31 Post & Telecommunications [24]
1980 32 Famous People [25]
1981 32 Folklore [26]
1982 35 Historic Events [27]
1983 35 Inventions [28]
1984 35 Common Design. 25th Anniversary of CEPT [29]
1985 35 European Music Year [30]
1986 35 Nature conservation [31]
1987 35 Modern architecture [32]
1988 35 Transportation and communications [33]
1989 35 Children's games [34]
1990 37 Post offices [35]
1991 41 European aerospace [36]
1992 42 Voyages of discovery in America [37]

Common theme issues of PostEurop.(With the Exception of 2000).

Year Participating Countries Topic
1993 46 Contemporary art [38]
1994 49 Great discoveries [39]
1995 49 Peace and freedom [40]
1996 52 Famous women [41]
1997 54 Tales and legends [42]
1998 57 Festivals and National Celebrations [43]
1999 57 Nature reserves and parks [44]
2000 56 Common Design. Tower of 6 stars [45]
2001 57 Water, treasure of nature [46]
2002 58 The Circus [47]
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

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