Produced for use by an occupying army which was already in full retreat, Thessaly’s one and only issue comprised the world’s first octagonal stamps
Thessaly may be close to the centre of modern Greece, but it has a chequered history, not all of it Hellenic.
Originally known as Aeolia, and mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, it has been part of the Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Even after the Greeks regained their independence in 1830, they had to wait more than 50 years before they could incorporate Thessaly into the country, in 1881.
Ironically, its short-lived but distinctive stamp issue dates from 1898, when it was occupied once again by the Turks.
This story is from the October 2017 edition of Stamp Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2017 edition of Stamp Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ship Of State
Recess-printed, lithographed, typographed and overprinted, the attractive Lakatoi issues of British New Guinea and Papua are a complex series with myriad varieties
The Finest Cuts For This Year's Christmas Fare
Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps, released on November 5, take a religious approach this year, featuring classy biblical scenes created by paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti.
Roaring Success?
The first stamp issue for Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika in 1935 might have united three postal administrations, but its design and printing were far from uniform
Man Of Peace
Karl bickel not only transformed and rejuvenated Swiss stamp design in the mid-20th century but also built a monument to peace in his spare time
‘Oh Help! Oh No! It's A Gruffalo!'
A Royal Mail stamp issue on October 10 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Gruffalo, the popular children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Day Of Reckoning
However painstakingly compiled, your collection is destined to be broken up and recycled. It’s not a question of if, but when, and how?
Beasts Of Burden
Animals harnessed for postal purposes have come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the choices and some of the scenarios might surprise you
King And Kaiser
Johann Kaiser engraved only three stamp designs, but they were the first issues of the Netherlands and Dutch colonies, so his place in philatelic history is secure
Whisper Of Wilberforce
A centenary with particular resonance for Sierra Leone inspired one of the finest colonial issues of the 1930s, even if the key protagonist was barely acknowledged
Try, Try Again
With the rugby World Cup currently underway in Japan, what better time to investigate the growing potential for a rugby union thematic collection?
