Yugoslavia postage stamps year 1988 complete year collection MNH

Yugoslavia postage stamps year 1988 complete year collection MNH

In 1988, Yugoslavia (then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) issued a diverse range of stamps. This was a period of high inflation, so you will notice many high-denomination definitives and frequent surcharges/overprints.

Here are the most notable sets and individual issues from 1988:

1. Major Commemorative Sets

• 1988 Winter Olympics (Calgary): A 2-stamp set featuring Slalom (350d) and Ice Hockey (500d).
  • Scott Nos: 1884–1885 / Michel Nos: 2264–2265
• 1988 Summer Olympics (Seoul): A 4-stamp set and a souvenir sheet. Themes include rowing, basketball, and track events.
  • Scott Nos: 1887–1890
• Europa CEPT – Transport & Communication: A 2-stamp set and two souvenir sheets. These are highly collected and feature stylized imagery of modern communication and transport.
  • Scott Nos: 1891–1892 / Michel Nos: 2273–2274
• WWF Fauna (Bears): A popular 4-stamp set featuring different species of bears found in the region.
  • Scott Nos: 1880–1883 / Michel Nos: 2260–2263
• Marine Life: A set of 4 stamps featuring Mediterranean fish and coral.
  • Scott Nos: 1893–1896

2. Notable Single Issues & Anniversaries

• 70th Anniversary of Yugoslavia: A single stamp (700d) marking the 1918–1988 anniversary of the creation of the Yugoslav state.
• Josip Broz Tito: A commemorative stamp (150d) featuring the late leader, which was an annual tradition.
• Centenary of Esperanto: A single stamp (200d) celebrating the international language.
• Balkan Conference: A souvenir sheet issued for the meeting of Balkan Foreign Ministers in Belgrade.

3. Definitives (The “Public Telephone” Series)

In 1988, Yugoslavia began issuing its “Postal Service” definitive series, often referred to by collectors as the “Public Telephone” stamps.

• Design: Most feature a woman using a public payphone or various postal vehicles/equipment.
• Inflation Impact: Because of the collapsing value of the Yugoslav Dinar (YUD), these stamps were reprinted frequently with different face values or temporary overprints. You will find denominations like 100d, 140d, 150d, and 220d from this year alone.