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Israel's entry into the philatelic world
involved feverish preparations which began
clandestinely a few weeks before the State was declared. In April 1948 the British, about to relinquish the Mandate over Eretz Israel, severed all postal services. The Jewish authorities began hurried preparations for printing stamps for the nascent State. The problems seemed overwhelming. Gummed paper was all but nonexistent. Where were the suitable printing presses and perforating machines to be found? How were the stamps to be inscribed? There was as yet no decision, as to the name of the new State. Was it to be Judah, Eretz Israel or Israel? Eventually a letter press was found and sufficient paper of a variety of shades and thicknesses was collected.
Less than forty-eight hours after the declaration of the Independent State of Israel which took place on Friday, May 14, 1948, enemy planes had launched their first attack and Israel had issued her first postage stamps - Israel's first stamps, the now famous and coveted Doar Ivri (Hebrew Post) series, were available at all post offices in the country.
Since 1948 Israel has issued many stamps: these include regular (definitive) issues, airmails and commemoratives. Some of the earlier stamps have already attained the status of classics and are prized by collectors throughout the world.
The stamp issued this year to mark Philately Day shows an illustration by artist Michel Kichka portraying a "Philately Family" with a stamp of the "Doar Ivri" series.On the stamp tab are the emblem of the Israel Philatelic Federation and the emblem of the F.I.P. (Federation International de Philatelic), of which Israel is a member.
