Ireland year 1963 EUROPA Stamps MNH The 1963 Ireland EUROPA CEPT issue is a clean, dual-value stamp set that follows the unifying design used by most member nations of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) that year. Quick Overview Country: Ireland (Éire) Date of Issue: September 16, 1963 Theme: “United Europe” Composition: Set of 2 individual stamps (2v) Watermark: “E” (Multiple Éire watermark) Perforation: 15 x 14.5 Catalog Identification: Scott Catalog: #188 and #189 Stanley Gibbons (SG): #195 and #196 Michel Catalog: #159 and #160 The Common Design & Meaning Unlike modern Europa stamps where countries design unique artwork based on a shared concept, 1963 featured a common global design applied by 19 participating European nations. The Motif: Designed by Norwegian artist Arne E. Holm, the graphic features a stylized, geometric cross composed of four interlocking 3-sided “U” shapes (representing a united Europe). The acronym CEPT is nestled neatly inside the intersecting segments. The Irish Adaptation: Ireland rendered the design beautifully by choosing highly contrasting, bold monochrome backdrops to make the interlocking cross cleanly pop. DenominationColorPrimary Usage (1963)6d (6 Pence)Deep Blue & SilverStandard international surface rate / European surface mail1/3 (1 Shilling, 3 Pence)Deep Green & SilverStandard international airmail rate