Description: This vertical definitive stamp displays a detailed portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II on the left side, balancing a faithful miniature reproduction of King George VI's handwritten award citation on the right. Rendered in a single bright brick-red ink formulation, the top frame is flanked by a Maltese Cross and the George Cross, surrounding the bold central country name "MALTA". The lower right corner frames the label "KING'S SCROLL" directly above a prominent corner tablet housing the face value of "3d" (three pence), while the baseline anchors the piece with the inscription "POSTAGE & REVENUE". This piece remains affixed to its original commercial paper envelope piece, featuring a large, partial black machine slogan postmark reading "SPEND YOUR WINTERS / SUNNY MALTA" stretching across the upper border.
Circa: 1950s-1970s
Condition: Used on fragment.
Notes:
The manuscript featured on the right side of the design reproduces the actual text written by King George VI on April 15, 1942, to honor the island fortress during the height of the Axis blitz.