GozoNews.Com

The humble “Habbata” (door knocker) , a relatively small and insignificant item of furniture, has been chosen to feature on a new set of four stamps to be issued by MaltaPost. The Habbata entered architectural history many years ago as a matter of necessity. It has survived the mechanical and electric doorbell to become part of our street embellishment.

Available in numerous motifs, shapes and sizes it often reflects the personality and taste of the house owner. Buildings throughout the Maltese Islands can boast of some exceptionally fine examples which qualify as veritable works of art. Perhaps the most traditional motif in the Islands is that in the shape of a dolphin. These are still manufactured in significant quantities and much in demand.

The four examples chosen by the artist for this issue are to be found on the doors of the Ministry of Finance in South Street, Valletta (€0.26) the Museum of Fine Arts, also in South Street (€0.51); the Department of Industrial & Employment Relations in Melita Street, Valletta (€0.63); and the Museum of Archaeology in Republic Street, Valletta (€1.77).

The stamps, with face values of Euro 0.26 (Lm0.11c), Euro 0.51 (Lm0.22c), Euro 0.63 (Lm0.27c) and Euro 1.77 (Lm0.76), are 44.0mm x 31.0mm in size, with a perforation of 13.9mm x 14.0mm (comb). The stamps are offset printed on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper by Printex Limited of Qormi, and are available in sheets of ten.

These stamps are available as First Day Covers, in mint or cancelled format, and as Souvenir Folders and Presentation Packs. The stamps will be on sale from 5th March at all MaltaPost postal branches in Malta and Gozo, the MaltaPost Mobile Unit, and the Philatelic Bureau on telephone 25961740, email philately@maltapost.com. Additional information on this and other issues is available on the MaltaPost website www.maltapost.com.