COVER N.167 - MALTA

Postmark: Marsa Malta 16SEP22  
Posted on the 16th September; received on the 30th September 2022
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Every day, when I'm at home, I anxiously wait for the sound of a motorbike running through my street in stop and go mode. The best days are those like last Friday, when the noise of the motorbike's engine on idle sounds for a few moments by my door, followed by the metallic "clonk" sound of the flap of the letterbox hitting its resting spot.

On those days I hurry to the outside and nervously turn the key on the letterbox lock.... 

This time it was a nice cover from Malta. Thanks a lot Albert.

Stamps, Left to right:

- On the 10th June 1922, Malta's Meteorological Office was established and it recorded its first official weather observation at 7.00 am: 27.3 Celsius, good visibility and Force 2 West Northwesterly wind.

Since then, 100 years of inestimable services to the population in general and to the sectors that rely heavily on meteo information, like aviation, be it civil or military, have been ensured by a dedicated team operating from Malta International Airport.

Celebrating the centenary of  the Meteorological Office, Malta Post issued on 01JUN2022 a three stamp set (0,07; 0.37 and 1,25 €) illustrated with weather icons, of which the first two can be seen on my cover.

- In 2013, Malta Post started a stamp series dedicated to local fountains, which would see two three stamp sets being issued, one in 2013 and the other in 2014, although all the stamps bear the 2013 imprinted date.

The 2014 issue with 0,42€, 0,59 and 1,25 € stamps began to circulate on 03JAN2014. The 0,59€ stamp on my cover depicts a fountain located in the San Anton Gardens, in the town of Attard, in the centre of Malta Island,. The gardens are part of the complex where the Presidential palace, also called San Anton Palace, is located.

 - Another centenary, that of the Society of Christian Doctrine, or M.U.S.E.U.M. is the subject of the last stamp on the envelope. The Society is an organisation founded in 1907 by a Priest named George Preca, now Saint George Preca, with the aim of "using lay men and women to serve the Church, primarily by helping them lead a truly Christian life and a dedication to evangelisation" as can be read on the society's website. 

The acronym for which it is known translates into  Magister Utinam Sequatur Evangelium Universus Mundus, or in  English: Divine Teacher may the whole world follow the Gospel.

The 0,21€ stamp on my cover is part of a five stamp set (0,01; 0,21;0,37; 1;2 €) dedicated to Anniversaries and Personalities, issued on 29DEC2007.

The postmark is hardly legible, but it is possible to confirm that the cover was mailed from Marsa, where the head office of Malta post is located.