Hello! There is one stamp series I discovered in my early days of collecting foreign stamps, and I have loved it ever since.
Every year as the year draws to a close, I think of these vintage Bulgarian New Year stamps.
Today I’d like to introduce the Bulgarian New Year stamps issued from 1966 to 1989!
Bulgaria · New Year 1967 (issued 1966)
Bulgaria’s New Year stamps were issued during the previous year, doubling as Christmas stamps, so the year of issue is one year earlier than the year shown. The same applies to all the stamps below.
The 1967 New Year stamp is printed on beige paper, unlike the others, which gives it a lovely retro feel.
It features a Christmas tree and ornaments.
Bulgaria · New Year 1971 (issued 1970)
The 1971 New Year stamp features snowflakes on a vivid blue background.
Bulgaria · New Year 1975 (issued 1974)
The 1975 New Year stamp shows flowers and birds on a green background, in a design that looks almost like a traditional folk pattern.
Bulgaria · New Year 1976 (issued 1975)
The color combination of the 1976 New Year stamp is beautiful.
The dove, a symbol of the post, is dressed up for Christmas.
Bulgaria · New Year 1977 (issued 1976)
The layout of the 1977 New Year stamp is similar to that of 1971.
From this year on, the stamps are printed on glossy white paper.
Bulgaria · New Year 1978 (issued 1977)
The 1978 New Year stamp features ornamental patterns. Gold and silver printing gives it a festive, glamorous look.
Bulgaria · New Year 1979 (issued 1978)
The 1979 New Year stamp combines a post horn with ornaments.
Whenever I think of Bulgarian post-horn motifs, this is the stamp that comes to mind.
Bulgaria · New Year 1980 (issued 1979)
1979, the year this stamp was issued, was the International Year of the Child, so the 1980 New Year stamp shares that theme.
Bulgaria · New Year 1981 (issued 1980)
Unusually, the 1981 New Year stamp makes the numbers part of the design, so you can tell at a glance that it is for 1981.
Bulgaria · New Year 1982 (issued 1981)
The 1982 New Year stamp is drawn with delicate lines.
Bulgaria · New Year 1983 (issued 1982)
The 1983 New Year stamp has a somewhat oriental feel.
Bulgaria · New Year 1984 (issued 1983)
The layout of the 1984 New Year stamp is similar to those of 1971 and 1977.
Snowflake motifs reappear regularly in this series.
Bulgaria · New Year 1985 (issued 1984)
The 1985 New Year stamp has a bright, cheerful pattern.
Bulgaria · New Year 1986 (issued 1985)
The 1986 New Year stamp resembles the 1985 one. Its soft, pale tones are its signature feature.
Bulgaria · New Year 1987 (issued 1986)
The 1987 New Year stamp has a festive design with Christmas clearly in mind.
Bulgaria · New Year 1988 (issued 1987)
The 1988 New Year stamp features a dove with ornamental patterns.
This is the last year in which the series kept a uniform size.
Bulgaria · New Year 1989 (issued 1988)
The 1989 New Year stamp switched to a vertical format.
It features mittens and a Christmas tree.
Bulgaria · New Year 1990 (issued 1989)
The 1990 New Year stamp shows a snowman and Santa Claus.
A bright, joyful design!
Bulgarian New Year Stamps: Summary
What did you think of Bulgaria’s New Year stamps from the 1960s to the 1980s?
There is a three-year gap after 1967 and another three-year gap after 1971, so I searched for a long time — but I believe this is the complete set.
Lined up together, these stamps make me feel happy.
They look wonderful as decorations or on handmade greeting cards, so I highly recommend them.
I hope you find a favorite!
Postio Marche, my online shop for foreign stamps, carries stamps from around the world — please take a look.
Some of the stamps shown are from a private collection. Items available for purchase are those listed in the shop only.
This blog covers stamp designs and art from around the world. Follow us on social media for daily stamp art and gallery visits!
Facebook: Postio Marche
X: @postio_marche
Instagram: mylittleart_studio
Online stamp shop: Postio Marche
Comments