Five Maltese personalities are being commemorated by the Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost plc in a set of five stamps to be issued on Wednesday.
The personalities are Monsignor Michael Azzopardi, Professor Egidio Lapira, Dr Guzeppi Callus, composer Geronimo Matteo Abos and Commendatore Gio Francesco Abela.
The stamps, with face values of 3c, 19c, 20c, 46c and 76c, have been designed by Maurice Tanti Burlo’, and are offset printed on watermarked paper (Maltese Crosses) by Printex Ltd of Qormi. The stamps are 35.0mm X 35.0mm in size (square format), with a perforation of 14.28 X 14.28 (comb), and are available in sheets of ten.
The 3c stamp depicts Monsignor Michael Azzopardi, or Dun Mikiel as he was more affectionately known. Monsignor Azzopardi, who revived Catholic action in Malta, was a byword in Maltese homes and is particularly remembered for his radio broadcasts for the sick. It was through the Malta Catholic Action that Dun Mikiel started his well-known care for the disabled, with the best known residence being Id-Dar tal-Provvidenza. Monsignor Azzopardi spared no effort to change the public’s mentality towards the problems of the disabled.
Professor Egidio Lapira is shown on the 19c stamp. Acknowledged as the “father” of Maltese dentistry, Professor Lapira was appointed the first dental surgeon in Malta, in 1929, to teach at the general hospital.
He was subsequently appointed professor of dental surgery and the first dean of the faculty of dental surgery at the Royal University of Malta. He was a founder member of the Dental Association of Malta and a member of a number of international dental organisations.
Born 500 years ago, Guzeppi Callus (featured on the 20c stamp) was a medical doctor who served the Order of the Knights and the Maltese. He was one of the first Maltese who spoke up against the Knights when they began imposing heavy taxes on the Maltese. Grand Master La Vallette ordered the execution of Guzeppi Callus after he petitioned the King of Spain to stop the Knights ill treating the Maltese. Although the medical doctor was named Guzeppi, he became known as Mattew Callus, the name of his adopted son.
The 46c stamp commemorates the 18th century Maltese composer Geronimo Matteo Abos, who was born in Valletta in 1715. His career in music was guided by a kinsman, an organist with the celebrated musical cappella of St John’s conventual church, who enabled him to pursue his studies in Naples. Abos wrote at least 18 operas, apart from much music for the church, which is better known and occasionally performed.
Commendatore Gio Francesco Abela, portrayed on the 76c stamp, was born in 1582, studied at the University of Bologna and took Holy Orders. Abela was an erudite man who succeeded in amassing a notable collection of antique and rare objects, many of which are now in the National Museum. His fame lies in his being the earliest Maltese historian of note. He died in 1655 and was buried in the conventual church of St John.
This issue is available from all Maltapost branches in Malta and Gozo as a First Day Cover, in mint or cancelled format, and as a Souvenir folder or Presentation Pack. Additional details are available from the Philatelic Bureau – tel. 2123-9153, email [email protected]