UNESCO Campaign for Venice - Vatican

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

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  :-)

North Korea 1985 - Italy '85 World Philatelic Exhibition

Full set of souvenir sheet and three stamps issued by North Korea in 1985 for the World Philatelic Exhibition in Italy.

The stamps depict: the Colosseum (SG N2542), The Holy Family by Raphael (SG N2543) and the head of David by Michelangelo (SG N2544).
The souvenir sheet shows the Pantheon. 

The Pantheon is an extraordinary structure.  Nearly 2000 years old, the unreinforced coffered concrete dome is the largest in the world.  Inside, the only source of light is from its oculus (eye in Latin), 43.3m high above and from the massive, original - though much restored - bronze doors.

 

Multicoloured marbles from all over the Roman Empire form the checkerboard pattern of the pavement and the wall cladding.

 

The inscription on the facade reads "M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIUM.FECIT" which translates as "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, having been consul three times, made it".  This is a reference to a much earlier Pantheon that existed on this same site during the Augustian period and which Hadrian wanted to honour.

Side view of the portico and "drum" of the Pantheon.

 

(C) All photographs copyright RomeOnStamps Blog 

Italy 2004 - Foundation of Rome and Bangkok on 21st April

A joint issue (in a souvenir sheet only in Italy) to celebrate the cities of Rome and Bangkok on the common day of their foundation, the 21st of April.  

Rome is believed to have been founded in 752 or 753BC.

Bangkok was founded in 1782, when it was moved to the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.  The stamp shows the 18th Century temple of Wat Saket, the Golden Mount.

The same were issued in Thailand, both as single stamps and as the souvenir sheet.   

Source:  http://www.jointstampissues.net/new_issues/news2004_01_04.htm.