The Malta Tramways company began operations in 1905, at a time when the Island was under British rule and urban areas such as Valletta and Floriana were rapidly growing. Increasing commercial activity between the capital and surrounding towns had created a need for a reliable, modern transport system. Although the system lasted for just twenty-four years, it remains an intriguing chapter in Malta's transport history as an early attempt to modernise mobility on the Island.
To commemorate the Malta Tramways, MaltaPost will issue a set of three stamps illustrating scenes of the historic tram as it travelled through different parts of Malta. The €0.45 stamp portrays a tram on its return journey to Valletta, about to pass beneath one of the arches of the baroque Portes des Bombes gateway within the Floriana fortifications. The image is based on an original monochrome photo colourised by artist Edgar Vella. The €0.65 stamp depicts two trams travelling along St. Anne Street, the main route linking Floriana with Valletta. This scene is reproduced from an original postcard of the period. The €3.85 stamp features an image derived from an original painting by artist John N. Scerri. It shows the tram as it travels back to Valletta from Birkirkara while passing alongside the arch of the historic Wignacourt Aqueduct.
This set will be issued in a sheet of 10 stamps, with each stamp measuring 44mm x 31mm, with a comb perforation of 14.1 x 14.2, and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measure 115mm x 182mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the offset process. The issue consists of 100,000 of the €0.45c stamp, 10,000 of the €0.65 stamp and 50,000 of the €3.85 stamp.
These stamps will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo from Friday 17 April 2026. 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
Ħarġa Filatelika - MALTA TRAMWAYS 1905 -1929
Il-kumpanija Malta Tramways bdiet topera fl-1905, fi żmien meta l-gżira kienet taħt il-ħakma Ingliża u żoni urbani bħall-Belt Valletta u l-Furjana kienu qed jikbru b'pass mgħaġġel. B'aktar attività kummerċjali bejn il-kapitali u l-irħula ta' madwarha, kien hemm bżonn dejjem jikber għal mezz ta' trasport modern u li tista' tafda fuqu. Għalkemm it-tramm dam jaħdem għal 24 sena biss, xorta jibqa' kapitlu interessanti fl-istorja tat-trasport f'Malta, bħala wieħed mill-ewwel passi lejn modernizzazzjoni tal-mobilità fil-gżira.
Biex tfakkar il-Malta Tramways, MaltaPost se toħroġ sett ta' tliet bolli li juru xeni differenti tat-tramm storiku waqt il-vjaġġ tiegħu madwar diversi lokalitajiet f'Malta.
Il-bolla ta' €0.45 turi tramm fi triqtu lura lejn il-Belt, hekk kif ikun se jgħaddi minn taħt waħda mill-arkati tal-bieb barokk tal-Portes des Bombes fil-fortifikazzjonijiet tal-Furjana. L-immaġni hija bbażata fuq ritratt oriġinali bl-iswed u abjad li ġie kkulurit mill-artist Edgar Vella. Il-bolla ta' €0.65 turi żewġ trammijiet għaddejjin minn Triq Sant'Anna, li hija r-rotta prinċipali li tgħaqqad il-Furjana mal-Belt Valletta. Din ix-xena hija riproduzzjoni ta' kartolina oriġinali ta' dik l-epoka. Il-bolla ta' €3.85 turi immaġni meħuda minn pittura oriġinali tal-artist Malti John N. Scerri. F'din l-immaġni naraw it-tramm sejjer lura lejn il-Belt minn Birkirkara, waqt li jgħaddi ħdejn l-arkata tal-Akwedott storiku ta' Wignacourt.
Dan is-sett se jinħareġ f'folja ta' 10 bolli, b'kull bolla ta' daqs 44mm x 31mm, b'perforazzjoni ta' 14.1 x 14.2 u għandha "watermark" bis-salib ta' Malta. Kull folja hija ta' daqs 115mm x 182mm u ġiet stampata minn Printex Limited bil proċess offset. Il-ħarġa tikkonsisti f'100,000 bolla ta' denominazzjoni ta' €0.45, 100,000 bolla ta' denominazzjoni ta' €0.65 u 50,000 bolla ta' denominazzjoni ta' €3.85.
Din il-ħarġa filatelika se tkun għall-bejgħ mill-Fergħat Postali f' Malta u Għawdex mil-Ġimgħa 17 ta' April 2026. Ordnijiet jistgħu jsiru onlajn fuq https://www.maltaphilately.com jew bil-posta mill-Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001 - telefon 2596 1740 - email info@maltaphilately.com
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