On March 26th, 2019, two postage stamps dedicated to the theme “Armenia-Portugal joint issue: 150th anniversary of Calouste Gulbenkian” have been canceled and put into circulation by “HayPost” CJSC in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The issue of the stamps was initiated by Portugal-Armenia Friendship Union.
The postage stamps with nominal values of 230 and 330 AMD are printed in “Cartor” printing house in France with a print-run of 40 000 pcs each. The authors of the stamps’ design are the Portuguese company “Atelier B2” (José Brandão) and the chief designer of “HayPost” CJSC Vahagn Mkrtchyan.
The postage stamps depict the prominent Armenian businessman, benefactor and philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955) against the background of the pieces of art from Calouste Gulbenkian’s collection, that are kept in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.
The postage stamp with the nominal value of 230 drams depicts peacock-shaped jewelry in gold, enamel, opal, and diamonds designed by René Lalique and, afterwards, acquired by C Calouste Gulbenkian in 1900. The postage stamp with the nominal value of 330 drams depicts a faience bowl originated in Kutahya (XVIII c.) and acquired by Calouste Gulbekian in 1922.
Within the framework of the cancellation ceremony, the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia announced the launch of the sale of a commemorative coin dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Calouste Gulbenkian.
The postage stamps were canceled by the Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies of the Republic of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Chairman of the Board of “HayPost” CJSC Juan Pablo Gechidjian, the President of the Union of Philatelists of the RA Hovik Musayelyan.
Date of issue: March 26, 2019
Designers: Vahagn Mkrtchyan (Armenia), “Atelier B2” company (Portugal)
Printing house: Cartor, France
Size: 40,0 x 30,0 mm
Print run: 40 000 pcs x 2
“HayPost” CJSC
Haypost Trust Management B.V.
