On April 4, a new set of postage stamps launched by MaltaPost will celebrate the love of cats in the Maltese Islands. The collection of four stamps was painted by local artist Andrew Micallef whose realistic and characterful depictions of species have appeared on our stamps regularly for more than twenty-five years.
“While I have previously depicted cats in other stamp designs, this marks my first collection entirely dedicated to these fascinating feline creatures,” says Andrew. “For this series, I have illustrated four stamps, each featuring a different cat with a well-known Maltese landmark in the background. Notably, two of the cats showcased in the set hold personal significance, as they are beloved pets of my family members. We, as a family, have a Persian cat named Milly Jeyne, who is a 7-year-old female.”
“I have always been a cat person, ever since I was a child. Whenever I come across a cat on the street, it’s almost impossible for me not to stop and give attention to any stray I see. I’ve always admired their independent and graceful nature, and I find myself deeply connected to their personalities. There’s something about their freedom and mystery that resonates with me. On top of that, as an artist, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing cats in various poses and environments through my paintings. These paintings reflect my deep affection for these incredible creatures and my appreciation for their presence in our lives.”
The new series, Cat Series II, focuses on the Felis catus, commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, a small carnivorous mammal of the family Felidae. Cats have been domesticated for nearly 10,000 years becoming popular pets, valued for companionship and for their skill in hunting mice and rats. They are independent animals and look after themselves without the need for much attention. They are generally quiet and well-behaved possessing quick reflexes, sharp teeth, well-developed night vision and a strong sense of smell. Basic communication includes vocalisations such as meowing, purring, hissing and growling.
The 20c stamp shows a close-up of an orange cat sitting relaxed in the countryside with a view of the old city of Mdina in the background. The cat is of the calico long-haired type identified by its tri-colour coat of white, orange and black fur. Cats with calico colouration are believed to bring good luck and are almost exclusively female.
A white tabby cat is depicted on the 0.45 stamp, lying down at the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, with the parish church of Our Lady of Pompei towering above the houses. Tabby cats may have a variety of colours and patterns, including the classic “mackerel” tabby pattern with narrow stripes. The combination of a tabby pattern with white paws and a white chest are referred to as a “tabby and white” cat.
The €1 stamp shows a painting of an orange tabby cat posing on an outdoor wrought iron bench, with the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes standing on the promontory overlooking Mgarr Harbour. Tabbies, often nicknamed “ginger”, are known for their striped coats and, while they come in a wide variety of colours, the orange tabby is the most popular. Garfield, the lasagna-loving fictitious cat character, is one of the most famous orange tabby cats.
The €1.91 stamp features a long-haired Tuxedo cat with the village of Siggiewi and its parish church, St Nicholas, in the distance. Tuxedo cats have a prominent bicolour pattern of black-and-white that is reminiscent of formal wear for men, and the cartoon characters ‘Felix’ and ‘Sylvester’ are famous Tuxedo cat characters in the world of animation.
And now on stamps, these local cats are gearing up to travel world-wide, on airmail envelopes! It seems, therefore, an appropriate moment to remember their compatriots in the film Cats of Malta, who are now on show in Japan. (See more on Instagram)
Cats of Malta is the ultimate cat-video, an enjoyable hour-long feature in which Maltese cat-lovers celebrate the stray cats in their neighbourhoods, their histories and what they mean to the people who live here recounted by director Sarah Jayne Portelli. It is available to stream on Tubi, Plex, Hoopla, Vimeo, Amazon and Kanopy (US, UK, AU) and iTunes.
Some of Andrew’s art can be seen, also from April 4, in a a collective exhibition (with other 3 artists) Gemelli Gallery in Ta Qali.
Andrew’s art on-line
