National flag

About the flag, its origin and more: FOTW

As already mentioned only one stamp was dedicated to the flag itself and it is "The flag stamp" which was issued in March 31, 1949, few weeks BEFORE the enactment of "The flag and emblem law"

Artist: P, Kraus

It took about 17 years for the reappearance of the flag on a stamp (apart from appearing on the tail of an El-Al airplane) It was on one of a series of three stamps issued on April 20 1966 for the 18th Independence day.  The series was dedicated to Independence day events and this particular stamp commemorates the habit of hoisting the national flag for this occasion.

Artist: A. Wieshoff

One year went by before the national flag appeared on another stamp. This time also on one of a series of three that was dedicated to the Six Day War. The stamp shows the Israeli flag hoisted in the Straits of Tiran on the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula and was issued on August 16, 1967.

Artists : G. Rothschild & Z. Lippman

Another year passed and again the national flag appeared at Independence Day stamps, issued on April 24, 1968. This time on both flags of the series, one (0.15) dedicated to "Aliya" (repatriation) and the second  (0.80) for settlement.

Artists: M & G. Shamir

Another year went by and again a stamp with the national flag, but this time hoisted at half mast in the Memorial Day stamp which was issued in April, 16, 1969

Artist  A. Calderon

After four years in a row with a stamp bearing the national flag, came a period of 19 years of silence, until the next time the national flag reappeared on a stamp. Even then, the flag appeared only because it was part of the "National
Labor Federation" emblem.

The stamp, which was issued on April 26, 1984 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the federation.

Artists: N & M. Eshel

In 1985 we find a small national flag in a stamp that is dedicated to the Kibbutz. The stamp was issued on Nov. 5, 1985 and shows a symbolic scene of
Kibbutz life including a child waving the national flag.

Artist D. Ben-Dov

In 1988 Australia celebrated its bicentenary, and such a birthday deserves a cake made of Israel national flag. The stamp was issued on Jan 26, 1988.

artist: G. Sagi

1994 Olympics are approaching, and what a good opportunity to honor the Israel Olympic Committee with a stamp showing an Israeli delegation behind the national flag. The stamp was issued on June 21, 1994 .

Artists: R. Cantor & R. Miller

One year passed and a most tragic event led to the issue of an unplanned stamp. A stamp that was dedicated to the late Prime Minister of Israel - Yitzhak Rabin who was murdered on Nov. 4, 1995.

The stamp was issued on Dec. 5, 1995

1996-1999 were the glory days of the national flag. No less than 5 single stamps and a series included the national flag, and for the first time since 1949, a stamp (and really a series) was dedicated to the flag itself, even though it was only a "stand-by stamp". The 100th anniversary of the first Zionist Congress held in Basel, Switzerland, led to the issue of a souvenir sheet in which a stamp is included.

The stamp, designed by H. Kivkovic and issued on September. 3, 1996 shows the
national flag in front of the building were the first congress was held

Half a year passed and the national flag appeared in a stamp dedicated to
clandestine immigration which was issued in Apr. 40 1997 and was designed by
D. Ben-Hador

The jubilee year brought an handsome crop of stamps with the national flag.

Starting with a stamp that was issued on February and was dedicated to the
famous "Ink flag" of Eilat. For details about the flag see FOTW
Thanks to Nahum Shereshevsky, who kindly sent me this image.

A month later (March 8, 1998) a stamp was issued the celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Israel declaration of independence. The stamp shows the scene
that took place on May 14, 1948 when Ben-Gurion declared Israel's Independence.

Artist: B. Ton

The Jubilee exhibition was a good occasion for another appearance of the
national flag. Issued on September. 8, 1998 and designed by H. Kivkovic.

1998 came to end with the issue of a new series of 5 similar stamps, destined to act as "stand-by stamps" and really more  labels then stamps, but it was the first time since 1949 that the national flag got a stamp in its own right.
Issued on Nov. 24, 1998 and Dec. 17, 1998 and designed by Y. Gabai.

All 5 stamps are the same except their value.

 
 
 

Back to Index	Comments
Other flags	Pennants
Foreign flags	My homepage