
Estonia, a small country located in Northern Europe, may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about philately. However, the Estonian Post Philately service has a rich history and a wide variety of stamps that have captured the attention of collectors around the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the general overview of the Estonian Post Philately service, its history, and some of its most important and well-known stamps and designs.
General Overview of Estonian Post Philately Service
The Estonian Post Philately service, also known as Eesti Post Philately, is a division of the Estonian postal service, Eesti Post. It was established in 1991, after Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union. The main purpose of the service is to issue and sell postage stamps, as well as other philatelic products, such as first day covers, postcards, and stamp albums.
The service is responsible for designing, printing, and distributing stamps that reflect the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of Estonia. They also collaborate with other postal services around the world to issue joint stamps and participate in international stamp exhibitions.
History of Estonian Post Philately
The history of Estonian Post Philately dates back to 1851 when the first postage stamps were issued in Estonia. These stamps were known as the «Russian Empire stamps» and were used until 1918 when Estonia declared its independence. During this time, the stamps featured the Russian coat of arms and the name «Eesti» (Estonia) in Cyrillic script.
After gaining independence, Estonia issued its first stamps in 1918, featuring the Estonian coat of arms and the name «Eesti» in Latin script. However, due to the Soviet occupation in 1940, the stamps were replaced with Soviet stamps until 1991 when Estonia regained its independence and the Estonian Post Philately service was established.

Most important or well-known stamps and their designs of Eesti Post Philately
One of the most famous and valuable stamps issued by the Estonian Post Philately service is the «Blue, Black, and White» stamp, also known as the «Three Lions» stamp. It was issued in 1919 and features three lions in different colors, representing the three historical provinces of Estonia: Virumaa, Sakala, and Saaremaa. This stamp is highly sought after by collectors and has a high market value.
Another notable stamp is the «Estonian Flag» stamp, issued in 1920. It features the Estonian flag, which was officially adopted in 1918, and is considered one of the oldest stamps in the world to depict a national flag.
In recent years, the Estonian Post Philately service has also issued stamps featuring famous Estonian figures, such as composer Arvo Pärt and writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare. These stamps not only showcase the country’s cultural heritage but also honor its notable citizens.
In conclusion, the Estonian Post Philately service has a long and rich history, dating back to the 19th century. Its stamps not only reflect the country’s past and present but also celebrate its cultural and historical heritage. With a wide variety of stamps and designs, the service continues to attract collectors from all over the world.
To learn more about the Estonian Post Philately service and its products, visit their website at https://pood.post.ee/en/.