“If bees disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” (Albert Einstein)
Since immemorial times, bees’ behaviour has inspired myths, legends, tales, poems and fables. At the same time the bee inspired love and was loved by both gods and human beings.
Bees have a vital role in the pollination (reproduction) of thousands of plants species. For 50 million years since they are present on the Earth, bees have contributed to the evolution of the vegetal kingdom, as it exists today.
Coming to all philatelists’ needs, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the postage stamps issue “Honey Bees”.
The European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is shown on the postage stamp having a face value of Lei 0.50. This is a bee with a special resistance to winter’s cold and an increased tendency of defense against enemies. It collects a large volume of pollen and lives longer than other bees. It also has the capacity to fly long distances. This bee lives in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, North of Switzerland, North-West of Austria, Belarus, North of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Russia.
The Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) is shown on the postage stamp having a face value of Lei 2.10. This bee spreads through North America, South America and Southern Europe. It is mild and produces honey in considerable amounts. It lives in large colonies needing more food resources to survive the winter.
The Slovenian honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) is shown on the postage stamp having a face value of Lei 3.10. It is a sub-species of the European honey bee originating from Slovenia but it may be found in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Romania.
The Caucasian honey bee (Apis mellifera caucasica) is shown on the postage stamp having a face value of Lei 4.30. It is a larger bee than the average; it is mild and hard working. It is usually found in the Caucasus Mountains.
Philatelic document – created into a limited edition of 350 copies, equipped with the postage stamps set of the issue, numbered and cancelled with the “first day” postmark.
Philatelic folder – created into a limited run printing of 800 copies equipped with the “first day” cover of the issue, having in addition imprinted clearly in gold foiling the “first day” post mark of the issue, and the miniature sheet of 4 stamps with illustrated attachment numbered in red from 001-800.
