Europe : CEPT - 01 Intro

In 1956 the first steps were made to make Europe into a more cooperative economic area.
The European Community for Carbon and Steel was founded.
It was the grandfather of the Europan Union as it is now.
European rules were made to coordinate the exploitation and trade in carbon and steel.
However this organisation also coordinated the issue of certain stamps.
The word 'CEPT', came later, in 1959.

On June 26, 1959, the Conference of European administrations of Post and Telecomunications was founded.
From then on, they coordinated postal transactions in Europe, including the issuing of "CEPT" -stamps
CEPT was a part of UPU, the Universal Postal Union.

Since 1993 CEPT became PostEurop, but to make it easier, all post in this theme will be called "CEPT"

In the first issue of CEPT (before it actually was CEPT), 6 countries participated.
In 2011, 48 countries are part of PostEurop.

Once a year, a mutual issue is emitted.
Until 1973 (and once more in 1984 and 2000) a common design was uses by most of the countries.

Specialised catalogues for CEPT / PostEurop are issued, since (especially in Europe) many people collect, next to their own country, also the CEPT issues. The common design or common theme on all those stamps are a nice reason to collect them.

Themes so far :

1956 : Constructing Europe (tower and E)
1957 : Peace and Welfare through Agriculture and Industry
1958 : A dove flying above the letter E of Europe
1959 : A interlocking keychain made of 4 circles and 4 squares alternating
1960 : The 'O' of the word Europa is a Roman mail-coach wheel with 19 spokes
1961 : Stylised dove made up of 19 individual doves
1962 : A stylised tree with 19 leaves
1963 : A stylised cross design composed of 4 3-sided U shapes with CEPT inlaid
1964 : Flower with 22 petals
1965 : Tree sprig
1966 : Symbolic Ship
1967 : Cogwheels
1968 : Key with CEPT in handle
1969 : 'EUROPA' & 'CEPT'
1970 : Sun composed of 24 interwoven fibres
1971 : Chain of Os with CEPT in the links
1972 : no common design
1973 : Stylised post horn
1974 : Sculptures
1975 : Paintings
1976 : Handcraft
1977 : Landscapes
1978 : Monuments
1979 : Post and Telecommunications
1980 : Famous People
1981 : Folklore
1982 : Historic events
1983 : Inventions
1984 : Common design : 25th anniversary of Cept

1985 : Eurpean Music Year
1986 : Nature conservation
1987 : Modern architecture
1988 : Transport and Telecommunication
1989 : Children's games
1990 : Post offices
1991 : European aerospace
1992 : Voyages of discovery in America
1993 : Contemporary Art
1994 : Great discoveries
1995 : Peace and freedom
1996 : Famous women
1997 : Tales and Legends
1998 : Festivals and National Celebrations
1999 : Nature reserves and Parks
2000 : Common design : Tower of 6 stars

2001 : Water
2002 : Circus
2003 : Poster Art
2004 : Holidays
2005 : Gastronomy
2006 : Integration through the eyes of Young People
2007 : Scout Centenary
2008 : Writing Letters
2009 : Astronomy
2010 : Children books
2011 : International year of forests
2012 : Visit .... (country)
2013 : Post Vehicles (celebrating PostEurop's 20th anniversary)
2014 : Musical instruments
2015 : Think Green
2016 : Old Toys
2017 : ...