Treasures of Malta stamp issue

On the 26th February 1998, the Office of the Postmaster General will issue a set of four stamps in the series "Treasures of Malta".

The stamps are being issued in the following values - 6c and 16c - featuring Maltese costumes which will be on display during an exhibition by the Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, between March and April of this year; and also in the values - 6c and 16c - depicting paintings by Antoine de Favray.

The stamps are designed by Frank Ancilleri and are printed by Printex Ltd.

On the same date, the Office of the Postmaster General will issue a Souvenir Sheet to commemorate the choice of Valletta as European City of Culture for June 1998.

The Souvenir Sheet, which includes a 26c stamp, has also been designed by Frank Ancilleri and printed by Printex Ltd.

The 6c stamp featuring Maltese costumes shows a gentleman's waistcoat circa 1790 - 1810. A double-breasted ivory silk satin waistcoat with alternating leaf motifs in silk thread, sequinned petals and embroidered silk medallions. The high collar and lapels are also embroidered with silver threads.

The 16c stamp shows a lady's dinner dress circa 1880. The dress is composed of a jacket and skirt made in greenish-grey and purple cannele silk with pleated frills down the front panel spreading on to the hemline and train and edging the black skirt, as well as the wrists. The dress was probably worn over a stiffened corset and a tournure (back support) of hair frills would have supported the back overskirt.

The 6c stamp depicting paintings by Antoine de Favray shows a portrait of Maria Amelia Grognet, while the 16c stamp shows a portrait (signed and dated) of Veneranda nee dei Baroni Abela with her grandson Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela, 5th Baron of Gomerino. The child was born the same year that his father died.