On 28 January 2014, MaltaPost will release a stamp in a joint issue with Israel. The subject of the stamp features "The Knights Hospitaller Halls" as a theme common to both countries.
The two countries share a common connection as, at some stage, the Sovereign Military Order of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta (SMOM) occupied both. Today relations between the two countries and their people continue to flourish in the areas of trade, technology, science, energy, culture and tourism.
These stamps feature the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta and the Knight's Hall in Acre, Israel.
The Mediterranean Conference Centre was formerly known as the Sacra Infermeria of the Order. It was constructed as a hospital in the late 16th century by the Order. The halls of the Sacra Infermeria were lined with hundreds of beds for the sick and the injured who were treated with the utmost care and attention.
The Knights' Halls in Acre built by the Hospitallers, were unearthed in archaeological excavations and have become a popular tourist site. The most impressive building in the complex is the Order of the Knights Hospitallers' dining room. Its domes and arches intersect in the gothic style that developed in France and Italy in the 12th century and also appeared in Acre during that period. In 1291 the Muslims conquered Acre, and the halls were destroyed.
The stamp was designed by Ronen Goldberg of Israel and will be issued in sheets of 6 stamps in ‘tête-bêche' format. Each stamp measures 41mm x 30.5mm, with a perforation of 13.7 x 13.8 (comb). The Malta stamps bear the Maltese Crosses watermark. The print run, by Printex Ltd consists of 60,000 stamps bearing face value of €0.51. MaltaPost will also issue a First Day Cover, Presentation Pack and Souvenir Folder bearing this set of stamps.
Both the Malta as well as the Israel stamps together with the related stationery of the stamp set "Israel - Malta Joint Stamp Issue 2014" will be available as from Tuesday 28 January 2014 from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo and the Philatelic Bureau. Orders may be placed online at maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001; Telephone: 2596 1740, e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com.
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