Yugoslavia 1999 stamps WC Table Tennis – Belgrade full set MNH

Yugoslavia 1999 stamps WC Table Tennis – Belgrade full set MNH **

Key Details and Context

• Country: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)
• Year of Issue: 1999
• Event Commemorated: World Table Tennis Championships, scheduled for Belgrade.
• Total Stamps in Full Set: 2 individual stamps.
• Designs: The stamps feature graphic designs related to table tennis, often depicting a ball, a table, or a paddle. One common description notes the design as a “Cracked globe as ball” on one stamp, reflecting the global nature of the event.

The Historical Context of the 1999 Issue

It is important to note the historical context that makes this stamp issue unique:

• The 1999 World Table Tennis Championships were originally scheduled to be held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
• Due to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (March-June 1999) related to the Kosovo War, the event was postponed and relocated. The individual events were moved to Eindhoven, Netherlands, and the team events were moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2000.
• Despite the cancellation of the event in Belgrade, the Yugoslav postal service proceeded with the stamp issue commemorating the championships as planned.

Therefore, the set is a commemorative issue for an event that was scheduled but ultimately did not take place in the location the stamps honor. This context often makes the issue an interesting piece for collectors.