Europa postage stamp


The Europa postage stamp is an annual joint issue of stamps with a common design or theme by postal administrations of member countries of the European Communities, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations from 1960 to 1992, and the PostEurop Association since 1993. Europe is the central theme.
EUROPA stamps underlines cooperation in the posts domain, taking into account promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals. As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.
Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and cooperation.

History

From 1956 to 1993

The first Europa issue was on 15 September 1956. The postal administrations of the founding six members of the European Coal and Steel Community issued stamps with a common design: a tower made up of the letters of the word "EUROPA" and surrounded by construction scaffolding.
In 1959, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations was formed, and from 1960 the initials "CEPT" were displayed on the joint issue stamps. The stamps had a common design from 1956 to 1973,. However, many countries issued a stamp that did not feature the common pattern but just displayed the word "EUROPA". From 1974, the common design was replaced by stamps with different designs, but with a common theme.
The success of Europa issues among collectors prompted many postal administrations of small countries or territories dependent of European countries to join the issuing countries in the 70s. Andorra has issued Europa Stamps since 1966 and 1972. Andorra cannot Join PostEurop as its Postal System is looked after independently by both France and Spain. The Isle of Man and List of [postage stamps of Guernsey|Guernsey], Crown dependencies of the United Kingdom, first issued Europa stamps in 1976, with Jersey following in 1978. The number of participants reached 35 in the 80s. Turkey participated continuously since 1960, and Yugoslavia from 1969. The collapse of the communist bloc in 1989–90 brought new issuers, reaching 57 countries in the late 90s.

Since 1993

When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop, i.e. the word "EUROPA" leaning to the right.
Although in 2006 the member countries of PostEurop chose the theme of "Integration as seen by young people" instead of a theme related to the 50th anniversary of Europa issues, several countries issued stamps showing the first common designs of the years 1950–1970. An anniversary logo is also featured on these stamps. Several non-European countries and non-PostEurop Members have issued stamps in connection with this anniversary. In Europe, some countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Gibraltar, Cyprus, etc. also participated in these issues.
In order to promote Europa issues among philatelists, PostEurop created in 2002 an annual competition of the “Best Europa stamp”. Until 2006, only representatives of the various postal administrations were entitled to elect the best Europa stamp during the Plenary Assembly of PostEurop, but since 2007, the winner is elected through an open and public voting procedure on the PostEurop website.
From January 2011, the new EUROPA logo, preceded by a symbolic reminder of the mailbox, applies, and a Jury Prize Competition is designed by seven philatelic experts.

Common theme issues

The list includes the jury and online competition winners since 2002 when the EUROPA stamp competition started.
YearNumber of countriesNew countries Number of different stampsTopicCompetition winnersref
19566Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands13common design
19578Switzerland, Saarland17Peace and Welfare through Agriculture and Industry
19588Turkey17common design
19598Austria15common design
196020Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden36common design
196119Cyprus, San Marino34common design
1962Monacocommon design
1963-common design
196419-36common design
196519-36common design
196619Andorra (French post)37common design
196719-37common design
196818-35common design
196926Vatican, Yugoslavia48common design
197019-42common design
197121Malta44common design
197222Andorra (Spanish post)46common design
197324-50common design
197423-49Sculptures
197524Northern Cyprus 50Paintings
197627Guernsey, Isle of Man58Handicrafts
197728-56Landscapes
197830Jersey65Monuments
197931Faroe islands, Gibraltar68Postal history
198032-67Famous People
198135Azores, Madeira69Folklore and feasts
198235-70Historic events
198335-71Inventions
198435-67common design
198535-73European Music Year
198635-74Nature conservation
198735-74Modern architecture
198835-79Transportation and communications
198935-80Children's games
199037-78Post office buildings
199141Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania83European aerospace
199242Albania, Croatia90500 years of the European discovery of America
199345Lithuania, Moldova, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belarus, Croat post of Bosnia and Herzegovina 92Contemporary art—
199448Åland, Greenland, Estonia, Latvia85Great discoveries—
199548Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina90Peace and freedom—
199652Macedonia89Famous European women—
199754Armenia, Ukraine, Serb post of Bosnia and Herzegovina 96Tales and legends—
199856Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus94Festivals and national celebrations—
199956-100Nature reserves and parks—
200055-68Common design: Tower of 6 Stars —
200156-92Water, a treasure of nature—
200258-93The circus