A stamp set bearing the theme – National Birds – is being issued by MaltaPost as part of EUROPA 19.

It features two stamps of the Blue Rock Thrush, the national bird of the Maltese Islands, known locally as – il-Merill. The photography is by Joe Sultana, BirdLife Malta.

It is a starling-sized bird, circa 23 cm in length with a long slim bill. The male features a striking blue colour with darker wings and tail – an appealing contrast to the less striking female with its brownish-grey colour.

MaltaPost said that these stamps underline cooperation between European postal administrations and seek to promote philately and build awareness of the common goals, roots, culture and history of Europe.

The stamps will be issued in a sheet of 11 stamps, with each stamp measuring 44mm x 31mm, with a comb perforation 14.0 x 13.9 and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measures 150mm x 158mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the offset process.

The issue consists of 30,000 of the €0.59 stamp and 30,000 of the €2.00 stamp.

The €0.59 stamp will be Malta’s entry for the 2019 EUROPA Online Stamp Contest. The contest is an annual online event where creative entries from across Europe compete for the best design.

This philatelic issue will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo as from this Thursday, the 9th of May.

Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; Telephone: 2596 1740, e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com

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