Bulgaria stamps year 1980 Winter Olympic Games Lake Placid set

Bulgaria year 1980 Winter Olympic Games Lake Placid set

The postage stamp issue from Bulgaria commemorating the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, USA, is a classic thematic set from the era.

Key Details of the Bulgarian 1980 Lake Placid Olympics Stamps:

• Year of Issue: 1979 (though it commemorates the 1980 Games) or early 1980.
• Set Composition: The issue typically consists of a set of 4 to 8 individual stamps and a complementary Souvenir Sheet (Miniature Sheet).
• Themes/Sports Depicted: The stamps and the miniature sheet feature illustrations of various winter sports held at the Games, such as:
  • Skiing (often Alpine or Cross-country)
  • Ice Hockey
  • Figure Skating
  • Bobsleigh or Luge
• Denominations: The individual stamps carry different face values in Bulgarian Lev (лв. or ст., stotinki).

Miniature Sheet (Souvenir Sheet)

A key part of this issue is often the miniature sheet, which usually contains one or more stamps and a decorative border, and is listed in philatelic catalogs as:

• Miniature Sheet: Depicts an overall design or a different sport (e.g., biathlon or a more elaborate skiing scene) along with the official Olympic rings and the name of the host city, Lake Placid.

For collectors, these are generally sought after as a complete set (MNH – Mint Never Hinged) of the individual stamps plus the accompanying souvenir sheet.

The 1980 Winter Olympic Games, held in Lake Placid, New York, were notable for several reasons. One of the most memorable moments was the “Miracle on Ice,” where the United States ice hockey team, composed of mostly amateur and collegiate players, defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the semi-finals. It was a significant upset and became one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

The 1980 Winter Olympics also saw the dominance of the “Flying Finn,” cross-country skier Juha Mieto, who won four medals, including one gold. Hanni Wenzel of Liechtenstein became the most successful athlete of the Games, winning two gold medals and one silver in Alpine skiing.

Lake Placid, a small village in upstate New York, hosted the Winter Olympics for the second time, having previously hosted them in 1932. The event showcased the region’s natural beauty and provided a boost to the local economy.

Overall, the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid left a lasting legacy, particularly due to the Miracle on Ice and its impact on American sports and national pride.