Olive Oil in Israel Stamp

The series of three stamps effectively combine modern colourful photography on the stamps and historic opaque drawings on the tabs. Issued in September 2003 for the Festival of Tabernacles, a close up of luscious ripe olives is contrasted with the ancient method of harvesting beaten-off olives from the ground; golden oil poured into sleek modern glassware on the stamp compares with ancient storage methods of oil in large earthenware jars, and barrels transported by donkeys, and on the 1.90 stamp an ancient millstone and storage jar is shown, while fruit being crushed in a large stone mill driven by animals is depicted on the tab. Cultivation of olives dates back to ancient history and the majority of olive presses found in Israel date back to the 9-8th centuries BC. The olive tree became representative of the nation, a symbol of deep-rootedness, and epitome of Israel’s Hope. The olive branch is universally recognised as a token of peace, and today forms part of Israel’s State emblem.

The stamps with an information sheet are enclosed in a plastic protection sheet.