ROME ON STAMPS

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

USSR 1969 - 20th Anniversary of the World Peace Movement

Stamp issued in 1969 in the USSR to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the World Peace Movement.

The stamp depicts various world monuments such as Big Ben (London), the Eiffel Tower (Paris), the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin), the Spasskaya Tower (Moscow) and, partially hidden by the banner, the Colosseum (Rome).

Saturday, 29 March 2014

Magyar (Hungary) 1990 - FIFA World Cup

Souvenir Sheet issued in Hungary in 1990 (Michel BL210A) to commemorate the Football World Cup in Italy. It is part of a set which also includes 6 football-themed stamps.

Poland 2000 - National Pilgrimage

Two stamps issued by Poland in 2000 (Michel PL3844-5).

The Latin inscriptions read:

"Thee, O God, we praise"

and

"The cross stands while the world keeps turning".

On Good Friday, at 9.15pm, the "Way of the Cross" starts at the Colosseum. The Pope, and onlookers, follow the Stations of the Cross from the Colosseum to the Palatine Hill in a torch-lit procession.
This is a spectacular event to attend if you happen to be in Rome at that time, regardless of your religious affiliation.

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Vatican

A beautiful, large FDC issued by the Vatican on 06 June 1972 with the Mini Souvenir Sheet MS 580.

Friday, 26 July 2013

UNESCO Campaign for Pompeii - Dahomey (Benin)

SG 463

SG 464

SG 465

Stamps issued in 1972 in Dahomey (now Benin). They depict mosaics from St Mark's Basilica.

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances (France)

Proof of stamp SG 497 issued in New Caledonia (French territory) in 1972 for Venice.

The stamp depicts the front of St Mark's Basilica.

UNESCO Campaign for Pompeii - France

SG U49. Stamp issued in Paris on 24 October 1998 for the UNESCO.

It depicts a fresco of Flora, goddess of flowers and spring, and dates from circa 1AD. It was found in the Villa of Ariadne, in Stabiae, approximately 4.5km away from Pompeii. Stabiae was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius, at the same time as Pompeii in 79AD.
The fresco measures H39.5cm by W32.5cm and is part of the collection of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Naples, Italy.

Until 29 September 2013, you can see it at the British Museum in London. If you have the opportunity, do go and see it and hundreds of other artefacts from Pompeii - really fascinating.

Below a First Day Cover and Postcard showing a view of Pompeii now.

Thursday, 18 July 2013

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Mali

SG 312. Venezia Molo (detail), Caffi (1809-1866).

SG 313. Venezia Ponte di Rialto (detail), Caffi (1809-1866).

SG 314. Piazza di San Marco (detail), Caffi (1809-1866).

Below, the painting by Caffi.

(Source: www.kunst-fuer-alle.de)

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Pakistan

Stamp (SG 323) issued by Pakistan for the UNESCO Campaign to save Venice.

Below a FDC issued on 07 February 1972 in Lahore .

For Venice - Ajman

Ceci n'est pas un timbre.

This Mini Souvenir Sheet from Ajman is not listed in Stanley Gibbons (6th Edition, Part 19). Only a handful of issues are listed for 1972 and this is why -

SG says: "Many other issues were released between 1 September 1971 and 1 August 1972, but their authenticity has been denied by the Ajman Postmaster-General.
(...) on 2 December 1971 Ajman joined with the other states to form the United Arab Emirates (...). The Federal Ministry of Communications assumed responsibility for the postal services on 1 August 1972 and all stamp contracts were terminated; stamps inscribed "Ajman" issued after this date were released without authority and had no validity".

Italy 1966 - Visit Italy

Tourist propaganda stamp issued in Italy in 1966 with the slogan "Visitate l'Italia" (Visit Italy).

Not the most attractive stamp I must say! It depicts monuments from various Italian cities including the Colosseum, at the top right-hand side, just behind St Peter's.

Saturday, 20 April 2013

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Khmer Republic (Cambodia)

And, here it is!

In a previous post on the Cambodia issue for the UNESCO Campaign to Save Venice, I mentioned that I was still missing the Souvenir Sheet. I received it this morning; it is very very nice and well worth the wait :-)

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Bulgaria

Two very nice stamps issued by Bulgaria in 1972 for the UNESCO Campaign to Save Venice.

The green stamp shows St Mark's Basilica while the brown one shows the Ca' d'Oro, both stylised and with rising waters.

Below, a picture of the Ca' d'Oro.

(Source: http://www.ranker.com/pics/N687204/ca-d-oro-building-attractions-photo-1)

Dating from 1430, this Palazzo has always been known as the Ca' d'Oro (the "House of Gold") due to the gilt decorations which once adorned its exterior walls.

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Morocco

Three nice small stamps from Morocco, issued in 1972 for Venice.

They depict the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark's Basilica and the Lion of St Mark, all stylised and surrounded by the rising waters.

UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Tunisia

A lovely set of 4 stamps issued in Tunisia in 1971 for the UNESCO Campaign to Save Venice. The stamps show stylised depictions of a gondolier, Di Medici and palace, the prow of a gondola and the Rialto Bridge, all with rising waters.

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Kiribati 1998 - Italia 98 World Philatelic Exhibition

Mini Souvenir Sheet issued in Kiribati on 23 October 1998 to commemorate the International Stamp Exhibition in Milan.

Kiribati is a small island of around 100,000 inhabitants in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, initially part of the Gilbert Islands. It is part of the Commonwealth and became independent from the UK in 1979.

On the Souvenir Sheet, the Kiribati national flag can be seen floating above the Colosseum. The stamp within the Sheet shows a view of the Reuben K Uatioa Stadium. Reuben K Uatioa was one of the first architects of Gilbertese independence.