Estonia 1938 Caritas Souvenir Sheet on Registered Cover

Estonia · 1938 · 10s + 2s, 15s + 3s, 20s + 4s, 45s + 9s

This souvenir sheet, known as the Caritas issue, features four semi-postal stamps depicting an allegorical scene of a mother protecting her children. The stamps were issued to raise funds for charity, with the surtax supporting social welfare programs. The sheet is shown here used on a registered cover, demonstrating its postal validity.

Issued in 1938 during the first period of Estonian independence, this charity issue reflects the social concerns of the young republic just before the turmoil of World War II and subsequent Soviet occupation.