Monaco year 1983 Montgolfier Balloon Space shuttle Europa stamps

Monaco year 1983 Montgolfier Balloon Space shuttle Europa stamps MNH

In 1983, Monaco issued a notable set of stamps for the Europa theme, which that year focused on the theme of “Inventions.”

The Monaco issue specifically celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Manned Flight (1783–1983). The design famously bridges the history of aviation by depicting both the earliest and the then-most-modern forms of manned flight: the Montgolfier Brothers’ hot air balloon and the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia.+1

Stamp Details

The issue consists of two individual stamps and a souvenir sheet (miniature sheet):

Why They Are Collectible

• Historical Parallel: The stamps commemorate the bicentenary of the first manned balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers in 1783. By placing it alongside the Space Shuttle, the design illustrates 200 years of human progress in flight.
• The “Sun” Design Flaw: Some philatelists note a minor design controversy involving the “sun” emblem on the stamps. The number of rays in the sun was intended to represent the member countries of the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations). However, because new countries joined just before the issue, the count on many versions is technically “inaccurate” for that specific moment in time.
• Variations: While the standard perforated stamps are common, there are highly sought-after imperforate versions of the souvenir sheet (Scott #1369a var) which can command much higher prices among specialists.

Thematic Connections

If you are building a collection, these stamps are often cross-listed in several popular categories:

1. Space Exploration: Featuring the Shuttle Columbia.
2. Aviation/Balloons: Celebrating the Montgolfiers.
3. Europa CEPT: A staple for any collector of the annual European joint issues.