Albania 2552

     The Albanian stamps featuring ancient manuscripts were issued in 1997. Two of the stamps have pictures of 6th century manuscripts and two, pictures of 11th century manuscripts. 
     The 25 and 60 Leke values appear to be the Codex Purpureus Beratinus (Φ), the oldest and most important Albanian manuscript. This manuscript has only the Gospels of Mathew and Mark; the stamps in the lower left and upper right corners show two evangelists writing their Gospels in the fashion of later copyists.
     The Greek title on the 10 Leke value reads ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΛΟΥΚΑΝ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΥ, "Chapters of the Gospel according to Luke", while the one on the label reads ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΤΘΑΙ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΥ, "Chapters of the Gospel according to Matthew."