Traditional costumes stamp issue

On 9th February MaltaPost will issue a set of three stamps depicting Traditional Maltese Costumes.

Daily life in early modern Maltese history was very much dependent on economic traits, mainly divided in two distinct spheres. The Grand Harbour area was centred on maritime activity which along various centuries was fuelled by trade, industry, strategic importance and wartime replenishment to generate years of con- siderable prosperity. The rest of the archipelago remained heavily reliant on agriculture up to the mid-twentieth century. This dichotomy finds its imprint in dress, since like all other forms of art, costumes reflect the society which produces them.

The stamps will be issued in sheets of 10 stamps. Each stamp measures 44mm x 31mm, and has a perforation of 13.9x 14.0 (comb.) bearing the Maltese Crosses water- mark. The sheets measure 185mm x 118mm. Printex Limited produced the set in offset and the issue consists of 700,000 of the €0.26 stamp, 300,000 of the €0.59 stamp and 80,000 of the €1.16 stamp.

The three different photographs are courtesy of Heritage Malta. Costumes in photographs were reproduced and sewn by Alda Bugeja.

This philatelic issue will be avail- able as from Friday 9th February from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo, online at www.maltaphilat- ely.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001;