The Europa stamps history
part I - The early years
(1956-1959)
part I - The early years
(1956-1959)
The idea of making a "join stamp emission" came up in 1952. The uniform motive for this emission had to symbolise the community of interest and objectives.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldazQrHxbjZhFmEZwbjQiB1g50xawsgzFQG0a4TgDXNrj_cA1N02JNfxOn10LrogamNmQ9MDni-Mmj8TIDI-s7T9-0pj3hSWIxiFfjgDqlNhgLsY6IQQjSGM55kdjWIf2H30Lsg/s400/LU-56.jpg)
On the 15th of September 1956 the first Europa stamps issue was born (6 countries ; 13 stamps). The common design was made by the French artist, Daniel Gonzague, it was a tower formed by the 6 letters of the latin word for Europe: Europa.
In 1957, almost on the same day as in 1956, the 16th of September, a second issue was made and Switzerland took part on this issue as Saarland (German territory under the control of the Allies). That year a common design was not made but the general theme was Peace and Welfare. (8 countries ; 17 stamps).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK4j5FcvA39Y27bqXXChdpofhhE_KEMeyLb17ycyInrT7c2_SHlHDGCjxqnbn05vsuAlLk5AQ0mPOHFOkHi79ErfG2lFoHQF0Jm0Tr2zYR29B1r08vqcjM7jQWu7htYJFxk_FRA/s400/SA-57.jpg)
On the 13th September 1958 the third issue selected again a common design, a dove flying above the letter E of Europe, designed by the Dutch artist, André Van der Vossen. Turkey replaced Switzerland that year. (8 countries ; 17 stamps).
During the summer 1959 in Montreux (Switzerland), a conference of 23 European postal administrations took place and the "Conférence des postes et télécommunications (CEPT)" was born. (note: today we still call the Europa stamps also Europa CEPT stamps !)
Part II - The birth of the CEPT (1960-1973)
~
Part III - The common themes (1974-1989)
~
Part IV - The new Europe (1990-1999)
~
Part V - The new millennium (2000-)
6 comments:
Can anyone tell me who designed the German & Saarland Europa stamps of 1957?
I've managed to find out who the designer of the 1957 Europa stamps was; it was Prof. R. Blank but I don't know his first name or nationality. Anyone any information?
Good blog, i sell europa cept at passaparolach.com plese visit my auctions,ù
good bye
frabru2
Great Blog and Thank you! Can anyone shed more light on the following: "The idea of making a 'joint stamp emission' came up in 1952. The uniform motive for this emission had to symbolise the community of interest and objectives." Is there a source or document addressing the 1952 idea? The Treaty of Rome was signed on 18 April 1951, so the idea would have come about 12-18 months later. Whose idea was it? Why was it not until September 1956 that the first Europa stamps were issued? On a related matter, why were many of the first Europa stamps issued in September? Is there anything particularly special about the dates of issues?
@ Michael : thanks for your interest and your interesting quetions. Unfortunately I don't have any answer to the many questions you are asking in your message. I don't have any official document refering to this. The Treaty of Rome wasn't signed in April '51 but on the 25th of March 1957 ! You are mixing with the Treaty of Paris which established the ECSC.
Maybe other readers of this blog may have answers ?
Hi, I have a couple of covers of the 1958 Belgian Europa stamps , signed by the stamps' designer Andre van der Vossen. Is anybody interested in buying these, or could give me any advice as to how/where to sell them? Please contact me via email to juliequiz@gmail.com.
Post a Comment