On 10 August 2012 Malta Post issued an astonishing 88 stamps (11 sheetlets of 8 different stamps) to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Operation Pedestal - the convoys which brought much needed supplies to the besieged island during World War II. As described in the blog of 9 May 2012 the brave crew of the ships which took part in the convoys helped to save the Maltese islands from falling to the Axis powers and to relieve the suffering of the heroic, starving Maltese people. The stamps of the issue depict the various ships which were involved in the convoys and though 88 stamps sounds indisputably excessive, perhaps on this occasion it can be forgiven because of the country's wish to honour the brave people who helped to save the island from the Nazi jackboot. I will depict the stamps when a suitable illustration becomes available.
On a lighter note, I now have a better illustration of the miniature sheet which Malta issued to commemorate the London Olympic Games. The item was designed by Sean Cini and issued on 27 July 2012. I also now have illustrations of the Turks And Caicos Charles Dickens bicentenary set (see blog of 15 April 2012 and 26 June 2012). Although Dickens has no direct association with the country, I think I shall add this set to my collection given Dickens' position as possibly the greatest novelist in the English language and the set does appear to be nicely produced. I do not yet know the precise date of issue.
However, I shall not find room in my collection for the recently issued Turks And Caicos miniature sheet which marks the lunar new year and which seems to have no relevance at all to the islands. It seems bizarre that after several years of not issuing any stamps at all, the first issue to be produced by the islands should be an item with a subject which has no relevance to them.
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