Description: This stamp is a 3-penny (3d) commemorative issue from the British crown colony of Malta. The vertical format layers a crisp, monochromatic black-and-white portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II in the upper left corner over a dark, textured background. Dominating the upper-right area is an overlay block printed in a vivid scarlet-red ink, which illustrates Fort Saint Elmo enduring an active attack. Two bright, unprinted white searchlight beams cut diagonally through the lower field, casting light across defensive warships positioned within the harbor basin. Nestled into the lower-left margin is a representation of the iconic George Cross medal. The country name "MALTA" and the face value "3d" ground the layout in a striking reddish-pink font, positioned directly above the historical inscription date "26-7-1941".
Circa: 1958
Condition: Used - Hinged
Notes:
The inscription "26-7-1941" immortalizes July 26, 1941, the precise morning when the Italian Regia Marina launched a daring, stealthy explosive motorboat raid against Valletta’s Grand Harbour, which was successfully repelled by Maltese coastal defenses.
The George Cross medal featured at the bottom symbolizes the unique decoration bestowed collectively upon the entire population of Malta by King George VI on April 15, 1942, to honor their extraordinary heroism during the axis siege.