08.11.2011

In anticipation of the significant anniversary of Latvia in 2018, Latvijas Pasts has released three new stamps in the series 100^th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia. They are dedicated to the subject of seafaring, showing the founding and development of this significant Latvian industry, both in the period between the two world wars and today. The first-day cancellation event of the stamps will take place on Friday, November 11, from 7.30 AM to 8 PM in the post office Sakta, 32 Brīvības Boulevard, Riga.

The designer of the new stamps is artist Elita Viliama, and each of the three stamps depicts a different theme in Latvian seafaring; the denominations of the stamps are also different.

The stamp with a face value of LVL 0.35 is dedicated to the Latvian merchant fleet. In its background, symbolizing different periods in the fleet's development, is the largest transatlantic sailing ship of Latvia Andreas Weide, built in 1891 in Ainaži; the steamer Hercogs Jēkabs of the independent Republic of Latvia in the period between the two world wars; and the motor ship Rēzekne in the beginning of the restored Republic of Latvia. The stamp also depicts the captains of all three ships: Fricis Lauters (Andreas Weide), Mārtiņš Štālbergs (Hercogs Jēkabs), and Aksels Gailītis (Rēzekne). The print run is 500,000 stamps; this denomination can be used to mail a regular letter within Latvia.

The stamp with a face value of LVL 0.60 commemorates the first Latvian naval school in Ainaži. It depicts Krišjānis Valdemārs, the prominent 19^th century economist, ideologist of the Young Latvians movement and initiator of founding of the first professional Latvian (and Estonian) naval school. The background of the stamp is the building of the Ainaži Naval School, which was founded in 1864. The print run is 100,000 stamps; this denomination can be used to mail an international letter to any country outside the European Union.

The stamp with a denomination of LVL 1.00 is dedicated to the Latvian Naval Forces and depicts Teodors Spāde - the first admiral of Latvian origin and commander of the Coast Guard Squadron of the Republic of Latvia from 1931 until the occupation of Latvia in 1940. The background of the stamp is the emblem of the Naval Forces of the Latvian National Armed Forces, images of Ronis and Spīdola, the only submarines in the history of the Latvian Coast Guard, as well as silhouettes of the legendary flagship Virsaitis (sunk by a mine during the Second World War) and Skrunda, the latest patrol ship of the Latvian Naval Forces. The print run is 100,000 stamps; this denomination can be used to mail a registered Class A letter within Latvia.

Latvijas Pasts commenced the series 100^th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia in 2009, issuing three new stamps each year that are dedicated to people and events significant for Latvia. New additions to this series are planned to be made each year, up to the 100^th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia in 2018.

The next new philatelic release is planned for December 2.

About VAS Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides philately, transport and express mail, financial intermediation, payment, press subscription and retail services. Latvijas Pasts is a fully state-owned company with approximately 4600 employees.

Additional information:
Gundega Vārpa,
VAS Latvijas Pasts
Head of the External Communications Department
Phone: + 371 67608505 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            + 371 67608505      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
E-mail: gundega.varpa@pasts.lv
www.pasts.lv