Maltex philatelic exhibition opens on Friday

Maltex 2002, the annual philatelic exhibition organised in November by the Malta Philatelic Society, will again draw stamp collectors and others interested in past and current Maltese philately which highlights many aspects of Maltese life and history.

The specialised exhibits are always of a high standard and relate to a wide range of subjects. The society is making a special effort to encourage young people to take up the hobby, hence this year's slogan "Philately for Youngsters".

The venue is St Publius Hall at 50 St Publius Street, Floriana and the exhibition will be open on Friday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maltapost will open a temporary branch post office providing all services, comprising the sale of stamps and postal stationery, and registration of letters and letter packets. There will be a special commemorative handstamp throughout the three days of the exhibition. A special cover will be on sale exclusively to mark the selection by the plenary delegates of PostEurop of this year's Malta Europa stamp featuring a clown's face as the best design out of 44 entries.

The organising committee has invited schoolchildren to tour the exhibition, where they will be shown round by committee members. Each young visitor will also receive a pack containing a set of postcards and local and foreign stamps for his or her collection.

The special exhibits are: For Gallantry - the George Cross/ Malta Convoys (Carmel G. Bonavia); letters by the Grand Masters to the Farneze family (Dr Alfred Bonnici); Malta Religious Commemorations (Joe Cachia); Malta Instructional Markings (Anthony Camilleri); the health stamps of New Zealand - 1929 to date (John Cardona); Pope John Paul's visits to Malta (Alfred Cauchi); the fight against tuberculosis (Prof. Lino Cutajar); the 1925 Postage Due sets (Anthony Fenech); Pope John Paul and the Beatification of the saints (Anthony Grech); Maritime heritage/ Christmas seals (Josie Lanfranco); the Blessed Virgin in Maltese philately (John Micallef); Maltese postmarks on foreign stamps (John Petterson); the 1971 Great Britain postal strike (Carmel Scicluna Bonnici); early picture postcards of Malta (Hadrian Wood); World Cup/Insects (Matthew Zahra, junior member).

Local and foreign dealers specialising in various aspects of philately and in Maltese collectables will mount stands. They will be offering professional advice to visitors and some will offer free valuation of collections.

The Malta Philatelic Society was set up in 1966. It holds monthly meetings and regular bring-and-buy evenings, prints its PSM Journal three times a year and annually provides the opportunity to members to exhibit their specialised collection at Maltex.