Cyprus 1880-1896: Issues of Queen Victoria Postage Stamps

The lecture is the first in a series entitled "Collectors" that aims to present the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation Collections as well as other private collections.

The issues of Queen Victoria Cyprus stamps in the 19th c. mark the most interesting period of Cypriot philatelism. The importance of the issues makes inextricable part of both global and local history. The prevailing view across the entire British Empire was that the face of the monarch should be depicted on stamps as a token of respect. This was the case until the 1920s.

The presentation includes a succinct examination of the history of Cyprus in conjunction with international events that had had a direct impact on our region’s philatelic history, followed by an extensive analysis of the five series issued between 1880 and 1896.

The analysis includes the design of the stamps, their historical significance, the printing process and printing errors as well as their usage on envelopes. An interesting aspect of postal history is given through “scandals” of the time referred to in the lecture.

Speaker:
Akis Christou, Vice-President of Cyprus Philatelic Society

Addresses by:
Symeon Matsis, Chairman of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation Board of Directors
Andreas Gregoriou, Director of Cyprus Post
Nicos Rangos, President of Cyprus Philatelic Society

Supported by the Cyprus Post and the Cyprus Philatelic Society

Friday, 20 January 2017, Andreas Patsalides Hall, 19:00