Other Stamp Issuing Entities

Do you collect stamps issued by other entities other than countries? I have been thanking about collecting stamps from the Sovereign Order of Malta. Last time I researched them they were based in Italy and stamps were only usable in Italy.

The Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta is based in Rome, relocating there in 1832. After the Order was defeated and lost Rhodes in 1523 to the Ottoman Empire, they were granted the Islands of Malta in 1530 by decree of Pope Clement & Emperor Charles V, with the understanding that they may never battle or choose sides in any Christian conflicts. In 1798 Napoleon invaded & occupied the islands without a fight, the French were Christian after all, the islands for his Egyptian Campaign and then evicting them.
By the Treaty of Amiens, in 1802, confirmed their rights as a free state in Malta, but were never able to return.
The Order is a Permanent Observer at the United Nations and is recognized with diplomatic envoys exchanged between 104 nations.
Its stamps, by postal treaty, can be mailed to 55 nations.

I've read several books on Malta's history and I've considered collecting Malta, but I wasn't aware of the Knights of Malta. Cool! Thanks for sharing Waarehouse.

Ironhelm, do you have any pics you can share with us?

Wikipedia........

A postal system began in Malta in the early 18th century with letters from the Knights of Malta back to Rome and other parts of Europe. Napoleon set up a rudimentary system using an ink stamp simply marked (Malte), but the actual post office did not begin until 1854. By then it was a British colony and the British set up an overseas post office in Malta. British stamps were used and they were cancelled with the "A25" obliterator of which there were seven types.[1] So any British stamp with an A25 cancel was used in Malta or Gozo. 1847 was when the General Post Office in Valletta was set up and it was in the Auberge de Castile a 16th century building, it would remain there until 1990, when new purpose-built quarters of Maltapost were set up in Qormi, to the west of Valletta. In 1860, Malta issued its first stamp, when the country was still a colony of the United Kingdom. This stamp was a halfpenny yellow and was issued in different perforations and shades until 1885, when Malta's first individual set was released. This stamp was legal for Maltese inland postage only and the standard rate for island mail under one ounce until 1943, overseas mail had to use British stamps until 1885.

I haven't gotten any stamps from there yet. Still thanking about it. Here is a link to their website.

http://www.orderofmalta.org/site/fi...p?idlingua=5

I don't generally seek out covers, especially philatelic ones, and this is way too new for me, too, but I still thought it was pretty neat. Thanks to one of our European members, who sold this to me on another site:

Very Nice..is amazing what folks can "dig up" on this relatively small group !!

I did a little quick research on these stamps. I would guess that most of the US collectors(Myself included) have never seen these due to the fact that they are not valid for postage to the US. However, our friends to the north(Canada) are another story.

I have about 300 SMOM, if you need a particular issue to view, holler.
Here is a Triptych, from the collection of Mr. Rusty T

oning.

Here is one from a set that piqued my curiosity, and had me collecting.

Isn't that the truth.

Fantastic material Rod!!

I have a few from Hutt River Province. Although they like to claim they have seceded from the Australian Government, I don't think they are recognised by any other country in the world.

There stamps mainly feature flora, fauna and religous theme. I guess that is because there isn't much else there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princi...f_Hutt_River

I need to do another trip there one day, stock up on some more stamps and buy some coins and banknotes this time too.







Steve

Ironhelm,
Do you mean places listed in Scotts,Gibbons etc but are not a country? Or are you talking about Locals too?

Steve mentioned Hutt River Province.

http://www.hutt-river-province.com/

They celebrate 40 years of Self-Independence this year and have had a thriving local post for much of that time. But Scotts,Gibbons etc would frown on this entity !

Londonbus1

They are "locals" only London bus.
The locals carry the mail from Hutt River to the PO
14km to a town I am unable to recall at the moment.
The postmaster has been instructed to not act upon any mail that has
Hutt river stamps on the front cover.They must be on the reverse
IIRC. I'll dig out the instruction if I can.
rod222

What about the Vatican ?

Or the Palestinian Authority?

Or Eritrea?

Or.........

Londonbus1....Or him too !

Post masters directive 1973 Hutt