In the Centennial year of the 1918 Great Union, by postage stamp issue Medals and decorations of the World War I, Romfilatelia celebrates the soldiers that fought for the national ideal during the war.
The new issue will be available on Monday, May 7th, 2018, in Romfilatelia’ own shops network in Bucharest, Bacau, Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Timișoara and online on https://romfilatelia.ro/store/.
The issue consists of four stamps, which illustrate the most important distinctions awarded to combatants in the World War I: the Star of Romania National Order, on the stamp with the face value of Lei 2.90, the Crown of Romania National Order, on the stamp with the face value of Lei 3.00, the Military Virtue Medal, on the stamp with the face value of Lei 4.50 and the Commemorative Cross of the 1916-1918 War Medal, on the stamp with the face value of Lei 16.00.
The Star of Romania National Order was established on May 10th, 1877, having five ranks: Knight, Officer (that had a rosette on the ribbon), Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross. It was also awarded with war insignia, representing two crossed swords with the point up, between the arms of the cross. Beginning with April 9th, 1918, for special acts, the Commander, Officer and Knight ranks could be worn with the ribbon of the Military Virtue Medal, that was red in color with a single blue stripe on the edges. The Star of Romania Order is awarded only to officers.
The Crown of Romania National Order was established on May 10th, 1881, having the same ranks as the Star of Romania. In 1916, the Crown of Romania Order received war insignia, representing two crossed swords with the point up, between the arms of the cross. Beginning with April 9th, 1918, this order was also worn with the ribbon of the Military Virtue Medal.
The most important medal awarded during the World War I was founded in 1880, with the Military Virtue inscribed statement. It had two classes: the 1st class in gold, and the 2nd class in silver. From April 9th, 1918, the medal ribbon could be attached to the Knight, Officer and Commander ranks of the national orders Star of Romania and Crown of Romania.
The Commemorative Cross of the 1916-1918 War Medal was established in 1918 and was awarded to all military and assimilated personnel, of any kind, that took part in the 1916-1918 campaign and that were integrated, attached or used with various assignments in squads or military services.
On the First Day Cover of the postage stamp issue is illustrated the “Mihai Viteazul” Order, the most important Romanian military decoration. It was established in 1916 and had three classes: the 3rd, the 2nd, the 1st. The third class was worn on the left side of the chest, the second class was worn on the neck (in command), and the first class was worn as a brooch on the left side of the chest. The ribbon was made of tabby, dark cherry-red, with a strip of golden strand on each side.
The postage stamp issue is completed by a set of two First Day Covers, as page composition there were used a sheet of 20 stamps and a minisheet of 6 stamps + 2 tabs.
For further information, please contact the Public Relation Office:
Tel: 021 / 337 24 42
roxana.herascu@romfilatelia.ro
