Apart, of course, from the stamps of Great Britain, the island of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, collectors of the Commonwealth will find only four places of interest within the European area. However, the result is some unusual yet attractive stamps over the years. 

The first stamps inscribed Malta appeared on 1 December 1860, showing the portrait of Queen Victoria and for many years only issued as a ½d value, although several shades in the orange/yellow range exist. It was not until 1885 that further designs and values were added.  Equally distinctive are many of the stamps of Cyprus. In this case, the first stamps were those of Great Britain overprinted ‘CYPRUS’ and first appeared on 1 April 1880. Stamps inscribed Cyprus was issued on 1 July the following year, naturally featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria. Issues followed depicting King Edward VII and King George V, but the definitive series of 1 December 1934, many of the designs showing places of interest on the island, was unusual in that no royal portrait was included. The first stamps of Gibraltar were also overprints – on stamps of Bermuda – released on 1 January 1886.

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A Brief History of Stamps from Europe

Gibraltar

The first stamps of Gibraltar were also overprints – on stamps of Bermuda – released on 1 January 1886. Stamps inscribed Gibraltar, naturally showing Queen Victoria, were issued later that year. Gibraltar has adopted a more aggressive approach to its stamp issues, aimed at attracting both collectors and visitors to the ‘Rock’. Among the more unusual was the set of four in 1969 to mark the New Constitution with perforations in the shape of the Rock, and the 1971 definitives issued in se-tenant pairs featuring ‘old and new’ views around Gibraltar. As a British Overseas Territory, it retains the Royal portrait on most of its stamps.

Malta

The first stamps inscribed Malta appeared on 1 December 1860, showing the portrait of Queen Victoria and for many years only issued as a ½d value, although several shades in the orange/yellow range exist. It was not until 1885 that further designs and values were added.

However, the most distinctive period of Maltese stamp design began on 15 April 1957 with a set of three stamps to recognise the award of the George Cross to the island in 1942. The designs were by Emanuel Vincent Cremona, whose individual style was seen on most of the stamps issued up to 1980. Particularly stunning were the definitive series he created in 1965 and 1973. While many other designers have since been involved, the stamps of Malta retain their distinctive look.

Cyprus

Equally distinctive are many of the stamps of Cyprus. In this case, the first stamps were those of Great Britain overprinted ‘CYPRUS’ and first appeared on 1 April 1880. Stamps inscribed Cyprus was issued on 1 July the following year, naturally featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria. Issues followed depicting King Edward VII and King George V, but the definitive series of 1 December 1934, many of the designs showing places of interest on the island, was unusual in that no royal portrait was included. This changed in 1938 when the portrait of King George VI was added. Few designs would include the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as Cyprus became a Republic in 1960. From that time, and for many years, the Greek influence was very evident on Cypriot stamp design.

There remains the ongoing political situation in Cyprus, with Northern Cyprus being a separate Turkish Cypriot state. Separate stamp issues have appeared for Turkish Cyprus since 1970, although the initial releases were purely for local use. Seven stamps released locally on 29 October 1973 were recognised on international mail from 27 July 1974.