High Value Vatican Airmails:
A Postal History Journey
GREG PIROZZI—[email protected]
From the first set of airmail stamps issued by the Vatican Post in 1938 until the last set in 1996, a total of 22 series
were produced encompassing 95 different stamps. Typically, airmail stamps were the highest denomination in use
during any period. This was generally necessary since airmail rates were, and still are, considerably higher than surface
mail rates and produced a need for stamps with high face values to frank letters and packages conveniently. The subjects depicted on Vatican airmail stamps range from traditional Christian symbols evocative of flight to the world
travels of Pope John Paul II. This ‘cover essay’ will focus on the postal history of the highest-value airmail denomination stamp from each issue, with an illustration of a specific usage and rate analysis provided. I hope the reader will
find Vatican airmail stamps a fascinating collecting endeavor and perhaps embark on a specialized study of these
wonderful stamps on or off cover.
◄Fig. 1: 1938 ₤10 first airmail issue (Scott C8)
on an airmail cover that weighed 37g and was
transported by the Pan Am Clipper. Postmarked 20 October 1941 to Lansing, MI and
franked with ₤24.
Rate calculation: ₤1.25 basic letter rate for the
first 20g + ₤0.75 for the second step in
weight + ₤22 airmail rate to the U.S. (8 ×
₤2.75 per 5g) = ₤24.
▼Fig. 2: 1947 ₤100 second airmail issue
(Scott C15) on an airmail cover that weighed
30g. Postmarked 28 May 1949 to New Haven,
CT and franked with ₤395.
Rate calculation: ₤40 basic letter rate for the
first 20g + ₤25 for the second step in weight
+ ₤330 airmail rate to the U.S. (6 x ₤55 per 5g)
= ₤395.
Continued on page 6
2
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
3
Normally, the recipient of the
Editor’s Choice should not be
the same as the winner of the
VERITAS award.
The Blue Pencil
DANIEL A. PIAZZA—[email protected]
2008 writing award winners
Despite the mix-up involving the list of nominees included
with the last issue, reader interest in the VERITAS award was
very strong. Ninety-eight votes were cast, and Greg Pirozzi
won the award with 26 votes for the first installment in his
ongoing series on the 1933 Gardens and Medallions issue.
The results were as follows:
July-August 2007 (Vol. 56, No. 1)
"Vatican Scientific and Cultural Institutions-Part III:
Vatican Apostolic Library" (Greg Pirozzi)—9*
"Vatican Europa Issues" (Michael B. Lamothe)—7
September-October 2007 (Vol. 56, No. 2)
"Vatican Scientific and Cultural Institutions-Part IV:
The Vatican Observatory" (Greg Pirozzi)—9*
November-December 2007 (Vol. 56, No. 3)
"Watercolors of Aldo Raimondi" (Greg Pirozzi)—10
"Vatican City and the Golden Age of Ocean Liner
Travel" (Greg Pirozzi)—8
January-February 2008 (Vol. 56, No. 4)
"'Le Forme Belle' of Antonio Canova" (Daniel A.
Piazza)—7
"Vatican Mourning Covers" (Greg Pirozzi)—12
March-April 2008 (Vol. 56, No. 5)
"An Interview with Irio Fantini" (Michael B. Lamothe)
—7
"Vatican Philatelic Ephemera, Part I-Philatelic Show
Folders" (Michael Krejci)—6*
May-June 2008 (Vol. 56, No. 6)
"Vatican Philatelic Ephemera, Part II-Philatelic Show
Sheets and Cards" (Michael Krejci)—6*
"Eleazar Albin and Vatican City's Only Bird Stamp Issue" (Matthew V. Cassetta)—6
“Gardens & Medallions 75th Anniversary Retrospective, Part I” (Greg Pirozzi)—26
* multipart article totals have been combined into one figure
I have also established a new Editor’s Choice Award to be
given, at the discretion of the editor, to an article that demonstrates originality, creativity and initiative in writing
about Vatican or Pontifical State philately. (This is along
the same lines as the President’s Award, which is given by
the president and not awarded by vote of the membership.)
4
The recipient of the first Vatican
Notes Editor’s Choice award is
Michael B. Lamothe, for his interview with Vatican stamp designer Irio Ottavio Fantini in the
March-April 2008 issue. Michael’s resourcefulness and iniEach 2008 VPS award wintiative in obtaining an interview ner will receive a personalwith Sig. Fantini gave all of us an ized and framed certificate.
insight into stamp design selection at the Vatican and led
to publication for the first time of several of the artist’s
drawings, including one unused model.
Vatican philately in other journals
There have been numerous mentions of Vatican philately
in the philatelic press recently. The August 2008 issue of
Scott Stamp Monthly carried Barbara M. Soper’s article
“Mosaics on Stamps Reveal Ancient History” (pp. 26-29).
She writes that “Rome’s embrace of the Christian faith in
the last years of the empire...led to many striking mosaics
with Christian themes” and illustrates her point with the
April 23, 1974 Universal Postal Union Centenary issue and
the June 5, 1990 Caritas International set. The author does
not make a distinction between the two sets; the 1974 series only mimics a mosaic appearance, while the Caritas set
shows details from actual mosaics preserved in the Basilica
of St. Mary Major, Rome. Another section of the article
pictures the August 29, 1987 OLYMPHILEX set of four,
which shows mosaics from the Caracallan baths in Rome.
Dave Kent’s new issues column in the June 13, 2008 issue
of Mekeel’s and Stamps Magazine (“Dave Kent’s World,”
p. 5) caught up with the Vatican’s 2007 stamp series celebrating the new philatelic and numismatic museum and
the 250th anniversary of the Christian Museum. The former were illustrated in color on the cover of the magazine.
The fourth quarter 2008 issue of the Philatelic Literature
Review, received in late June from the American Philatelic
Research Library, included part twelve of Theodore M.
Tedesco’s country-by-country bibliography of philatelic
literature in the English language concerning fakes and
forgeries. Only two entries were noted for Vatican City;
both were articles by the American Philatelic Society’s expertiser, Mercer Bristow, that appeared in the now-defunct
magazine Stamp Collector. Tedesco is apparently unaware
of this journal’s existence, because he does not include any
Vatican Notes articles in his bibliography, such as the long
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
-running series from the 1960s covering forged overprints
on Scott #35-40, still the best treatment in English.
Vatican philately made another appearance in Mekeel’s
and Stamps on July 25, 2008. Charles A. Fricke’s Postcard
Collector column for that issue was a one-page piece on
the souvenir airmail postcards offered by the Vatican Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.
Most recently, in Linn’s Stamp News for September 1,
2008, dealer Henry Gitner recommends buying the first set
of the Popes of the Holy Years issue (Scott #1065-72) released in 1998. Gitner notes that “Dealers in Europe are
paying as much as €14.50 for the mint set” with se-tenant
labels attached (“Stamp Market Tips,” p. 70).
Vatican postal treaty with Order of Malta
The July 28, 2008 issue of Linn’s Stamp News carries on
page 39 an item about the postal treaty concluded on June
24 between the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order
of Malta. Curiously, the Vatican was the last state on the
peninsula to recognize SMOM stamps; Italy and San Marino
did so in 2004 and 1991 respectively. Mail franked with
SMOM stamps may now be delivered within Vatican City as
long as it is properly posted from the Order’s headquarters
at 68 Via dei Condotti, Rome (pictured below). Linn’s reports that a joint stamp issue marking the treaty is scheduled for November.
Because they do not belong to the Universal Postal Union,
the Order of Malta must negotiate postal treaties with individual countries. The United States does not recognize the
Order’s stamps, but Canada and 47 other countries do.
Changes on eBay
The online auction site eBay has reconfigured the subheadings in its stamp listings. Receiving their own distinct category heading for the first time are philatelic hucksters such
as Christmas Island, Cook Islands/Aitutaki/Penrhyn, Bhutan, and a host of ‘sand dunes’. Even Table Tennis rates a
separate subcategory (under Topicals)! Vatican City, however, continues to be lumped with ‘Italy and Area’.
Auction Watch column returns
I’m really grateful to long-time VPSer John Schorn for trying his hand at the Auction Watch column, which proved
popular with readers the first time it appeared. I ambushed
John at the recent NAPEX show and he has gamely given the
column a go. His first installment appears on pages 18 and
20 of this issue. I think he did a great job, but if you appreciate the column why not drop him an E-mail or traditional letter and let him know?
Letters Received
I recently joined the Vatican Philatelic Society and received
a copy of Vatican Notes (May-June 2008). It is a fine and
most useful publication, and I applaud your efforts in this
regard. However, as a new member of the VPS, I was surprised (to say the least) with the President's Message. It
certainly does not reflect any of the joy of stamp collecting
and in fact exudes a bitter tone. And what about the enigmatic "I will also be moving to a more rural area and be
breaking in a new woman at the same time?" I have no idea
what he means; can it be of any interest to members? I
hope the new president can convey a more positive, upbeat
tone, with more consideration of members' needs and sensitivities, and less emphasis on personal matters. Regards.
Jean-Luc Plat
Montreal, Quebec
I’m 47 years old and a new member of the VPS (#4020). I
have a collection of Roman States covers and would like to
ask which catalogue you recommend (the more specialized
on covers the better).
Eric de Wasseige
Colombia
A view of the Magistral Palace of the Sovereign Military Order of
Malta in Rome, from which mail may now be sent to Vatican City.
The Magistral Postal Service is administered from this building by
Order’s Receiver of the Common Treasure, a post currently held by
Marquis Gian Luca Chiavari.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Editor’s reply: Sassone includes Roman States postal history in Volume
2 of their specialized catalogue of Italy and States to 1900. It is the best
catalogue but can be expensive and difficult to purchase in North and
South America. A good compromise for you might be the Vaccari catalogue. It also covers Italy and States to 1900 and includes postal history,
but does it all in one volume with separate valuations for solo frankings,
combination frankings, etc. Also it can be conveniently ordered online
from the publisher (http://www.vaccari.it) at a very reasonable price.
Vatican Notes
5
Continued from page 2
◄Fig. 3: ₤500 Archangel Raphael
issue (Scott C17) on a registered
airmail cover that weighed 40g.
Postmarked 4 April 1949 to Philadelphia and franked with ₤620.
Rate calculation: ₤40 basic letter
rate for the first 20g + ₤25 for the
second step in weight + ₤60 registry fee to foreign destinations +
₤495 airmail rate to the U.S. (9 ×
₤55 per 5g). = ₤620.
₤10 brown violet Flight of the
Holy House of Loreto
June 22, 1938
₤100 red orange Obelisk and
Cupola of St. Peter’s
November 10, 1947
►Fig. 4: ₤1000 UPU
commemorative (Scott
C19) on a registered
airmail cover that
weighed 250g. Postmarked 31 October 1951
to Forest Hills, NY and
franked with ₤3,550.
Rate calculation: ₤55
basic foreign letter rate
for the first 20g + ₤420
for the additional
weight (12 × ₤35 per
20g) + ₤60 registry fee
to foreign destinations +
₤3,000 airmail rate to
the U.S. (50 × ₤60 per
5g) = ₤3,535. The letter
is overpaid by ₤15.
₤500 ultra Raphael and
Tobias on the Road to Media
December 28, 1948
◄Fig. 5: ₤500 Gratian commemorative (Scott C21) on a registered airmail
cover that weighed 70g. Postmarked
10 June 1952 to Elizabeth, NJ and
franked with ₤1,070.
₤1000 green Universal Postal
Union 75th Anniversary
December 3, 1949
Rate calculation: ₤60 basic letter rate
for the first 20g + ₤105 for the additional weight (3 × ₤35 per 20g) + ₤60
registry fee to foreign destinations +
₤840 airmail rate to the U.S. (14 × ₤60
per 5g) = ₤1,065. The letter is overpaid by ₤5.
₤500 blue Seventh Centenary
of Gratian’s Decretum
December 20, 1951
6
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
►Fig. 6: ₤1000 Domes I (Scott
C23) on a registered airmail cover
that weighed 285g. Postmarked 1
October 1954 to Bridgeport, CT
and franked with ₤4,000.
Collection of Rev. Edward J. Mullowney, SSJ
₤1000 ultra Dome of Saint
Peter’s (First Issue)
August 10, 1953
Rate calculation: ₤60 basic letter
rate for the first 20g + ₤455 for
the additional weight (13 × ₤35
per 20g) + ₤60 registry fee to
foreign destinations + ₤3,420
airmail rate to the U.S. (57 × ₤60
per 5g) = ₤3,995. The cover is
overpaid by ₤5.
This package was subject to a
U.S. 5¢ small packet fee and a
10¢ customs clearance fee, indicated by the violet marking at
center left. However, there is no
evidence the fee was collected.
◄Fig. 7: ₤300 Archangel Gabriel I
(Scott C32) on a
registered airmail
small packet that
weighed 60g. Postmarked 8 October
1956 to Columbus,
OH and franked
with ₤405.
₤300 deep violet Archangel
Gabriel (First Issue)
February 12, 1956
Collection of the late Robert J. Paliafito
Rate calculation:
₤175 small packet
rate + ₤65 registry
fee to foreign destinations + ₤165 airmail rate to the U.S.
(3 × ₤55 per 20g) =
₤405. The U.S. collected a 5¢ small
packet fee and a
10¢ customs clearance fee.
The Vatican small
packet (scatolette) rate was only slightly more economical than the letter rate and is very scarcely seen.
₤1000 magenta Dome of
Saint Peter’s (Second Issue)
January 31, 1958
₤500 orange brown
Roman Obelisks
October 27, 1959
►Fig. 8: ₤1000 Domes
II (Scott C34) on a registered airmail cover
that weighed 305g.
Postmarked 27 October 1959 to Boyertown,
PA and franked with
₤4,335.
Rate calculation: ₤60
basic letter rate for the
first 20g + ₤525 for the
additional weight (15 ×
₤35 per 20g) + ₤90
registry fee to foreign
destinations + ₤3,660
airmail rate to the U.S.
(61 × ₤60 per 5g) =
₤4,335.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
7
◄Fig. 9: ₤500 Roman
Obelisks (Scott C44)
and ₤1500 Archangel
Gabriel II (Scott C46)
on a registered airmail
cover that weighed
885g. Postmarked 4
February 1963 to
Washington, D.C. and
franked with ₤12,575.
Rate calculation: ₤70
basic letter rate for the
first 20g + ₤1,720 for
the additional weight
(43 × ₤40 per 20g) +
₤90 registry fee to
foreign destinations +
₤10,680 airmail rate to
the U.S. (178 × ₤60 per
5g) = ₤12,560. The
cover is overpaid by
₤15.
₤1500 dark blue Archangel
Gabriel (Second Issue)
March 13, 1962
◄Fig. 10: ₤500 Eleventh Airmail Issue
(Scott C52) and ₤1500 Archangel
Gabriel III (Scott C54) on a registered
printed matter cover that weighed
250g. Postmarked 3 October 1984 to
Hamburg, Germany and franked with
₤3,400.
₤500 light and dark brown
Eleventh Airmail Issue
March 7, 1967
Rate calculation: ₤300 basic printed
matter rate for the first 50g + ₤1,600
for the additional weight (4 × ₤400
per 50g) + ₤1,500 registry fee to foreign destinations = ₤3,400.
◄Fig. 11: ₤1000 Four Evangelists
(Scott C58) and ₤2500 Seraph (Scott
C59) on a registered printed matter
cover that weighed 1000–2000g.
Postmarked 2 September 1985 to
Konstanz, Germany and franked with
₤6,300.
₤1500 black Archangel
Gabriel (Third Issue)
March 12, 1968
Rate calculation: ₤4,600 printed
matter rate for 1000-2000g + ₤1,700
registry fee to foreign destinations =
₤6,300.
₤1000 black and lilac
Four Evangelists
September 30, 1971
8
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
►Fig. 12: ₤2500 Last Judgment (Scott C62) on a registered printed matter
cover that weighed 10002000g. Postmarked 8 October 1985 to Hamburg, Germany and franked with
₤6,300.
Rate calculation: ₤4,600
printed matter rate for
1000-2000g + ₤1,700 registry fee to foreign destinations = ₤6,300.
₤2500 multi Seraph from
St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice
February 21, 1974
►Fig. 13: ₤3000 World
Telecommunications Day
(Scott C65) on a registered
printed matter cover that
weighed 500–1000g. Postmarked 29 October 1983
to Konstanz, Germany and
franked with ₤3,700.
Rate calculation: ₤2,500
printed matter rate for 500
–1000g + ₤1,200 registry
fee to foreign destinations
= ₤3,700.
₤2500 salmon, blue, and
brown Last Judgment
February 19, 1976
►Fig. 14: ₤3000 Apostolic Voyages
During 1979 (Scott C72) on a registered cover that weighed 460g. Postmarked 8 May 1984 to Hamburg,
Germany and franked with ₤6,500.
₤3000 multi World
Telecommunications Day
July 11, 1978
Rate calculation: ₤5,000 letter rate
for ₤250–500g + ₤1,500 registry fee
to foreign destinations = ₤6,500.
₤3000 multi Voyages of Pope
John Paul II during 1979
September 18, 1980
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
9
◄Fig. 15: ₤5000
World Communications Year (Scott C74)
on a registered
printed matter airmail
cover that weighed
650–700g. Postmarked 22 June 1984
to Chicago and
franked with ₤10,460.
₤5000 multi Saint Paul
Preaching in Athens
November 10, 1983
Rate calculation:
₤2,800 printed matter
rate up to 1000g +
₤1,500 registry fee to
foreign destinations +
₤6,160 airmail rate to
the U.S. (14 × ₤440
per 50g).
◄Fig. 16: ₤5000 Apostolic Voyages During 1983-84 (Scott C82) on a registered
airmail cover that weighed 200–250g.
Postmarked 31 May 1988 to Sacramento,
CA and franked with ₤5,250.
₤5000 multi Voyages of Pope
John Paul II during 1983-84
November 20, 1986
Rate calculation: ₤1,350 foreign letter
rate + ₤2,400 registry fee to foreign destinations external registration + ₤1,500
airmail rate to the U.S. (5 × ₤300 per 50
grams).
₤5000 multi Voyages of Pope
John Paul II during 1987
October 27, 1988
◄Fig. 17: ₤5000 Apostolic
Voyages During 1987 (Scott
C87) on an airmail cover that
weighed 420–440g. Postmarked 22 June 1996 to
Princeton, NJ and franked
with ₤16,500.
Rate calculation: ₤7,700 foreign letter rate for up to 500g
+ ₤8,800 airmail rate to the
U.S. (22 × ₤400 per 20g) =
₤16,500.
₤5000 multi Voyages of Pope
John Paul II during 1989
November 27, 1990
₤6000 multi Voyages of Pope
John Paul II during 1991
November 24, 1992
10
Concludes on page 23
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Mail on the Graf Zeppelin’s Return from Rome
TEXT BY DANIEL A. PIAZZA—[email protected]
COVERS FROM THE COLLECTION OF REV. EDWARD J. MULLOWNEY, SSJ
Background of Vatican zeppelin mail
Vatican mail had been accepted on Graf Zeppelin flights
since 1930. Such covers from 1930 and ’31 are almost always triple franked with Vatican stamps to pay the basic
letter rate; Italian stamps to pay for airmail service; and
German stamps to pay the zeppelin fee (see Fig. 1).2
These rules were in flux during 1932–33. Triple franking
ended with the South American flight in March ’32, for
which airmail and zeppelin fees could both be paid by Italian stamps. Then, starting with the South American flight
in April ’32, Vatican-only franking was permitted (see Fig.
2). For the Rome flight, mixed frankings of Vatican regular
postage and Italian airmail stamps were again required.3
Return leg of the Rome flight
Most Vatican mail carried on the return leg of the Rome
Shown at 60%
On May 29, 1933, Nazi Reichsminister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Joseph Goebbels departed for Rome
by train. His mission was to cement ties with Mussolini
and make overtures toward a concordat between the Holy
See and the Reich. Perhaps to ensure that Goebbels’ visit
captured Italy’s attention, the German LZ127—Graf Zeppelin—followed him to Rome. Departing Friedrichshafen
shortly after midnight on May 29, the Graf arrived at
Ciampino Airfield at 4:30 in the afternoon. It carried Italian dignitaries and some covers on an aerial tour over
Rome (known to collectors as the volo circolare), then began the return trip to Germany (the volo di ritorno) at
about 7:30 p.m.1
▲Fig. 2: A lovely Vatican solo franking from the sixth South
American flight of 1932. A ₤10 stamp pays the Vatican letter rate
and registration fee; Italian airmail fee; and German zeppelin fee.
Flight carries the large round flight cachet (in varying
shades of blue and green) applied by the Italian post office
as well as an aqua straightline A FRIEDRICHSHAFEN auxiliary
marking applied by the Vatican.
Postmarks used include the standard Vatican circular date
stamp (CDS) to cancel Vatican postage; an Italian CDS (two
types known) and a machine slogan cancel used to obliterate the Italian airmail stamps; and a round CDS in green,
dated 30 May 1933, that indicates receipt in Friedrichshafen. Less commonly encountered is the green machine slogan applied to some covers at Friedrichshafen.
Vatican covers bearing the proper cachet, but franked with
the Gardens and Medallions series issued on May 31 and
cancelled on that date, were not actually flown. Nor were
cacheted covers with a May 30 Italian machine cancel.4
Endnotes
1
The itinerary is given in greater detail in E. Violino, Catalogo degli Aerogrammi
Zeppelin (Florence, Italy: G. Orlandini, 1971), p. 45.
2
The exceptions are foreign flights that had specially-issued stamps to pay both
airmail and zeppelin fees, such as the 1931 Liechtenstein flight. These typically do
not bear Italian airmail postage.
Shown at 58%
3
Some philatelists (notably Violino, op. cit.) have asserted that these changes
proceeded from agreements between the postal administrations involved and the
Zeppelin company. However, no one has been able to locate these agreements. In
any event, the rules were not strictly enforced. From 1932 onward, technically
improper frankings continued to be accepted if the total face value was correct.
In short, the Zeppelin company was not picky so long as they got their money.
4
Wilcsek, Bob. “Unflown Mail from 1933 Romfahrt.” Zeppelin Post Journal 2:2
(Summer 2008), pp. 6-17.
▲Fig. 1: The cover shown above, from the 1930 South American flight of the Graf Zeppelin , bears the triple franking typical of early Vatican zeppelin covers. A ₤2.50 Vatican stamp pays the double letter rate to destinations outside Italy; a ₤2 Italian stamp pays the airmail
fee; and two German stamps pay the 8 reichsmark zeppelin fee. The signature at far left is that of Hugo Eckener.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
11
Shown at 75%
Vatican Covers from the Return Leg
The Collection of Rev.
▲Fig. 3: Marked for a fictitious mail-drop over Leghorn (Livorno) that was
never on the itinerary for the return flight, this card was instead received in
Friedrichshafen on May 30, 1933. It is franked at ₤3.25, which equals the 25
centesimi Vatican postcard rate to Italy plus the ₤3 fee for dispatch by
zeppelin to Europe. A scarce Vatican-only franking for this flight that was
technically invalid but accepted anyway.
Shown at 75%
▲Fig. 4: This cover was properly franked
pay the ₤1.25 foreign letter rate plus the
Italian zeppelin stamp to pay the zeppelin
Shown below the cover are the backstam
gan cancel applied on arrival at Friedrichs
cancel applied at Rome before dispatch. T
and the time slug (5:00-6:00 p.m.) confirm
▲Fig. 8: Properly franked with Vatican postage totaling ₤2.25 (to pay the 75
centesimi foreign postcard rate plus the ₤1.50 foreign registry fee) and the
₤3 Italian zeppelin stamp to pay the zeppelin fee for postcards addressed to
Europe. The zeppelin stamp is cancelled with an Italian Posta Aerea Zeppelin
CDS rather than the machine slogan cancel.
12
Vatican Notes
▲Fig. 7: The ₤3 and ₤5 low values of the April 24, 193
on Vatican mail from the return leg of the Graf Zeppel
postcards to Europe and letters to Europe, respectivel
valid only for the Rome flight. Usages of the four high
covers each franked with a different value of the serie
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
▲Fig. 5: This postcard was marked for a scheduled mail-drop over Naples
that occurred over Nettuno instead. The lack of a Naples receiving mark
and the presence of the green CDS indicating receipt in Friedrichshafen
indicate that it missed the drop. Like the card in Fig. 1, it is an improper but
tolerated Vatican-only franking at the 25 centesimi + ₤3 rate for Rome
flight postcards addressed to Europe. Not pictured is the Italian machine
slogan cancel on reverse, identical to the one in Fig. 3, that proves the
cover was flown.
Shown at 75%
with Vatican postage totaling ₤2.75 (to
₤1.50 foreign registry fee) and the ₤5
n fee for letters addressed to Europe.
ps: the uncommon green machine sloshafen and the black machine slogan
The date of this Italian cancel (May 29)
m that the cover was actually flown.
Shown at 75%
Shown at 75%
g of the Graf Zeppelin’s Rome Flight:
. Edward J. Mullowney
33 Italian airmail set (C42-43) are commonly found
lin’s Rome flight. They paid the zeppelin fees for
ly. The entire series consisted of six stamps that were
values are rare, and only five complete sets of six
es, are known.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
▲Fig. 6: This postcard was endorsed for a maildrop over Barcelona, Spain
during the second South American flight of 1933, which began on June 3.
(The A BARCELONA marking is visible between the airmail etiquette and the
registry label.) It was carried on the return leg of the Rome flight in a
sealed mailbag and so did not receive the customary green arrival postmark at Friedrichshafen or the red cachet for the Barcelona maildrop. It
departed with the Graf Zeppelin on June 3 and was properly dropped
over Barcelona, where it received the black, octagonal Barcelona registered mail marking at upper left.
Vatican Notes
13
Essays, Proofs, and Specimens of Vatican City Airmail Stamps
DANIEL A. PIAZZA—[email protected]
Essays 1
During the Second World War, preliminary stamp drawings by the great designer Corrado Mezzana were purchased by Major General Edgar Erskine Hume (18891952), Chief Medical Officer for the Allied Military Government in Italy from 1943-45. Following Hume’s death,
his Mezzana essays were exhibited at the now-defunct National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia on two occasions:
the 1953 International Exhibition Postage Stamp Design
[sic] and the 1954 Vatican Marian Year Philatelic Exhibition. The former NPM was famous for its well-illustrated
exhibition catalogues, and five of Mezzana’s airmail drawings were reproduced in them.2 These are pictured below
(Figs. 1-3, 5, and 7); doubtless there are more.
The collecting of archival philatelic material such as essays,
proofs, and specimens has been a full-blown specialty in
the arena of United States philately for many decades. An
entire section of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United
States Stamps and Covers is devoted to them. Some of the
most revered American philatelists studied them—Edward
H. Mason, Clarence Brazer, George T. Turner, and Morton
Dean Joyce to name just a few. The Essay-Proof Journal,
edited by Barbara R. Mueller, remains one of the best
philatelic journals ever published in the United States.
Collectors of Vatican City philately have not embraced this
important specialty to the same degree. A major reason is
lack of knowledge. In the 57 years that this journal has
been published, for example, there has never been an article devoted to essays, proofs, or specimens, and only the
Italian-language Catalogo Enciclopedico Italiano attempts
to record proofs and specimens. This article aims to introduce readers to the subject through the prism of airmail
issues. It concludes with a comprehensive table showing
just what sort of material is available for each airmail issue.
1
2
The top three are progressive pencil studies for the 50 centesimi and ₤2 values of the 1938 airmail series (Scott C1-8).
These were published in the catalogue3 for the 1954 Vatican show, but I have rearranged them in what I believe to
be their correct order. From right to left: the rough concept; a more anatomically detailed study of the dove for the
3
4
▲Figs. 1-4 (top row, left to right):
Rough sketch by Mezzana of a
dove of peace in St. Peter’s
Square; detailed study for the
dove; essay of the stamp essentially as approved; the finished
stamp as issued in 1938 (Scott C2
and C6).
◄Figs. 5-7 (bottom row, left to
right): Essay by Mezzana for the
1947 airmail series that was used
with major modifications; the
finished stamp as issued (Scott
C12, C14-15); an unused design
for the same series.
5
14
6
7
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
vignette; and the final design almost exactly as produced, with correct denomination and lettering.
8
The bottom two Mezzana essays were scanned from the 1953 catalogue for the
Stamp Design show.4 They were prepared for the 1947 second airmail issue.
The sketch at right is an early version of the design that was adopted for the
₤15, ₤50, and ₤100 values of that series (Fig. 6), while the striking and dramatic design on the right went sadly unused.
Mezzana also designed the 1948 and 1951 airmail issues before his death in
1954. Essays for these almost certainly exist; Mezzana was a very methodical
artist and always made numerous preparatory studies for all his stamp designs. The Mezzana essays are not believed to have been publicly exhibited
since 1954, and their whereabouts are something of a mystery (although there
are theories). If any reader knows where they are, or remembers seeing them
anytime after the Marian Year Philatelic Exhibition closed on November 5,
1954, the author would appreciate hearing from you!
The second—and thus far last—major collection of Vatican stamp essays to
reach the philatelic market were by Piero and Andreina Grassellini, prolific
husband and wife designers of the 1950s and early ‘60s. In October 1980, VPS
member and former New York Tribune stamp news editor Ernest A. Kehr
purchased them for an undisclosed amount.5 Earlier this year, Grassellini essays were being offered for sale by George Alevizos Philatelic Auctions of
California and Auktionshaus Christoph Gärtner GmbH of Germany with the
notation that they were ‘ex-Kerr’ [sic].
9
1
0
Seventeen essays for the 1959 Roman Obelisks (the only airmail set designed
by Grassellini) were sold as one lot: first by Alevizos on eBay for $500 and
then by Gärtner in their May 28-30, 2008 live auction for €380 plus an 18%
commission (approximately $750). One piece was really cachet art executed
for the Golden Series covers, reducing the number of stamp essays in the lot to
sixteen. However, another Grassellini Obelisks essay owned by Kehr was not
sold by either Alevizos or Gärtner.6 All of the artwork is either watercolor on
vellum or pencil on parchment and is similar to the issued stamps (Figs. 8-10).
The Grassellini Obelisks essays retain the character of real, working artists’
sketches. Most of them have pinholes in the corners or tape where they were
affixed to drafting boards. Erasures and redrawing are common. One essay for
the ₤25 and ₤200 values, showing the Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II in the Piazza del Popolo, has an unrelated, hastily drawn map in the corner; another
has a study of the letter “O”. Piero Grassellini (1912-1963) was an architect by
training, and through these essays it is possible to trace the careful development of detail in the obelisks and nearby buildings.
10
Proofs
The next step after approval of an artist’s essay is production of the die (for
intaglio and lithography printed stamps), plate (for offset), or color separation
►Fig. 8 (top): Rough sketch by Grassellini of the Sallustian Obelisk and the façade of
Trinita dei Monti church in the Piazza di Spagna. Note the placement of text at the top of
the stamp, its tall format, and ₤100 denomination. Fig. 9 (middle): An intermediate study
in watercolor. The perspective has changed and there is a lack of fine detail, but the inscription tablet has moved to the bottom. Fig. 10 (bottom): Another watercolor study.
This is essentially the vignette as approved, except that on the finished stamps (Inset,
Scott C35 and C39) the obelisk and façade (but not the balustrade) are shifted to the left.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
15
negatives (for gravure). These are used to create the printing plate (intaglio), stone (lithography), blanket (offset), or
cylinder (gravure). At both points in the process, proofs
are taken for quality control purposes, and collectors of
U.S. philately are familiar with the array of proof material
that results. These include large die proofs, small die
proofs, and plate proofs (either as singles or, occasionally,
in multiples).
Vatican airmail proofs are not as multifarious. Die proofs
are unknown except for the 1971 airmail series, which was
produced by a combination of intaglio and gravure methods. All other known airmail proofs are imperforate singles
or (rarely) multiples cut from a sheet-size plate proof
printed on thin cardboard or, for the 1951 Gratian and
1956 Archangel Gabriel I issues, pink paper.
stream. Exactly how and when these
came on to the philatelic market is unclear, but they have and can be collected. They are considered scarce; the
2004/2005 edition of the Catalogo Enciclopedico Italiano sets €25 (about
$33) as the minimum value for a single
Vatican specimen stamp; complete
Fig. 12: UPU specisets generally command a premium.8 men copy, 75 centesimi value from
Vatican City produced specimens for the 1938 airmail
most new issues, including airmails, series (Scott C3).
from 1929 until the 1970 Apostolic
Voyage of Paul VI to Uganda issue. During that period,
only the 1958 Domes II airmail series does not have any
known specimen copies.
Until 1958, Vatican specimens were produced by overprinting ordinary copies of the stamp with the word saggio
in black, blue or red (a bit misleading since this is actually
the Italian word for “essay”). Starting with the Antonio
Canova issue, specimens were instead created with a perfed
-in annullato. The overprint or perfin rendered the stamp
invalid as postage. Both the overprinting and perfin methods of creating specimens are relatively easy to forge, and
specimen overprints should be expertized.
Endnotes
Fig. 11 (left): A plate proof pair of the ₤1000 high value
of the 1949 UPU 75th Anniversary issue (Scott C19).
These are unrecorded in CEI. Fig. 10 (right): An imperforate plate proof single on pink paper for the ₤500 high
value of the 1951 Gratian issue (Scott C21).
1
The only post-1971 airmail proofs that may have come on
the market would be for the November 27, 1990 issue, depicting the apostolic voyages of Pope John Paul II during
1989. This set was printed by Hélio Courvoisier of La
Chaux–de–Fonds, Switzerland, whose archives were sold at
a charity auction conducted by David Feldman, S.A. of Geneva on April 21, 2007. Two volumes with more than 1,000
pieces of Vatican proof material, offered as a single lot,
brought €48,000. It is probable—but not confirmed—that
material for the 1990 airmails was included. The Courvoisier archives consisted mostly of imperforate, single progressive color proofs cut from full sheets. According to the
sale catalogue, only one specimen from each proof sheet
escaped destruction.7
Specimens
Specimens were created by postal administrations for submission to the Universal Postal Union, which in turn distributed them to other member nations to ensure that legitimately issued stamps could be recognized in the mail16
Artist’s sketches for stamp designs are described here as “essays,” an
expedient usage that requires some elaboration. George T. Turner defined a philatelic essay as an impression “taken from a die...for stamps
that were not adopted.” According to Turner’s definition, essays must
be made from an engraved die, lithographic stone, or typesetting and be
either incomplete (e.g., vignette only or frame only) or a complete design that was rejected. Artifacts of the design process were not essays in
Turner’s estimation, and not considered to be collectible by most philatelists as late as the 1970s. Only production material was important.
During the 1980s, however, preliminary artwork increasingly came to be
called essays (probably in response to more of this material coming on
the philatelic market). This is Philately, published in 1982, stated that
“an essay may take the form of an artist’s submitted rough sketch, intermediate or final artwork...providing that...the stamp is either not produced at all or is produced with subsequent modification.” In 1992, the
Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers began
including sketches under the rubric of essays.
2
Non-airmail Mezzana essays pictured in the aforementioned catalogues include studies for the 1936 Catholic Press Conference issue; the
1940-46 Small Medallions definitive series; the 1946 Council of Trent
Quadricentennial issue; and the 1950 Holy Year commemoratives.
3
Kehr, Ernest A., ed. Vatican. Philadelphia: National Philatelic Museum, 1954. The essays for the 1938 airmail series are pictured on pages
191, 193, and 194 as part of an article contributed by Ernest A. Kehr.
4
Freehafer, John, ed. Postage Stamp Design. Philadelphia: National
Philatelic Museum, 1953. The essays for the 1947 airmail series are pictured on page 205 as part of an article contributed by Steven Bozsoky.
5
According to an unsigned and untitled article on page 3 of the November-December 1980 issue of Vatican Notes.
6
The missing seventeenth essay was pictured on page 16 of The Phila-
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Table of Known Essays, Proofs and Specimens of Vatican City Airmail Stamps
If a stamp series is not listed, there is no essay, proof, or specimen material known.
Scott
C1-8
Issue Date
6/22/1938
Name
First Airmail Issue
Essays
Trial Color Proofs
Three progressive
pencil sketches by
Corrado Mezzana for
the design of the 50c
and ₤2 values
(pictured). There are
probably more.
C9-15
11/10/1947
Second Airmail Issue
Two pencil sketches
by Corrado Mezzana;
one for the design of
the ₤15, ₤,50, ₤100
values and another
unadopted design
(pictured). There are
probably more.
C16-17
12/28/1948
Raphael & Tobias
C18-19
12/3/1949
UPU 75th Anniversary
C20-21
12/20/1951
Gratian
C22-23
8/10/1953
Domes I
C24-32
2/22/1956
Archangel Gabriel I
C35-44
10/27/1959
Roman Obelisks
C45-46
3/13/1962
Archangel Gabriel II
Annullato perfins on
both values.
C47-52
3/7/1967
Eleventh Airmail Issue
Annullato perfins on
all values.
C53-54
3/12/1968
Archangel Gabriel III
Annullato perfins on
all values.
C55-58
9/30/1971
Four Evangelists
C88-91
11/27/1990
Apostolic Voyages of
Pope John Paul II
Known for the ₤500
value.
Saggio overprints on
both values.
Known for both values; unlisted
(pictured).
Known for the ₤500
value; on pink paper
(pictured).
Saggio overprints on
both values.
Red saggio overprints
on both values.
Red saggio overprints
on both values.
Known for the ₤5 and Black saggio over₤35 values; on pink prints on all values.
paper.
Known for all values. Annullato perfins on
all values.
10 pencil sketches (on
parchment) and 7
watercolor studies
(on paper or parchment) by Grassellini
(some pictured).
There is certainly one
additional pencil
sketch and possibly
others.
None, but die proofs
of the engraved vignettes are known for
all values.
One possible set of
progressive color
plate proofs.
somewhere.
7
David Feldman, S.A. The Courvoisier Archive. Catalogue of Public
Auction Sale, April 21, 2007, p. 99.
Catalogo Enciclopedico Italiano 2004/2005: Citta del Vaticano/
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Specimens
Red saggio overprints
on all values except
75c and ₤10, which
have black overprints.
Both horizontal and
diagonal varieties are
known.
Saggio overprints on
all values.
Known for the ₤500
value.
telic Nuncio 3:2 (April 1981). It and possibly others are still “out there”
8
Plate Proofs
Repubblica di San Marino, p. 300. For more information on UPU specimen stamps, see James Bendon, UPU Specimen Stamps: The Distribution of Specimen Stamps by the International Bureau of the Universal
Postal Union (Limassol, Cyprus: by the author, 1988). Generally fewer
than 400 specimen sets of each issue were produced.
Vatican Notes
17
The Auction Watch column in the January-February 2008 issue of Vatican Notes (p. 20) received very positive responses
from several members. Regrettably Darrell Downam was unable to continue the column, but Editor Dan Piazza enlisted
me to try to continue the good work that Darrell started, and I promise to do my best. The purpose of this column is, as
Darrell wrote, to share with readers some interesting or unusual Vatican City and Pontifical States items offered in recent
live or online auctions. I welcome your comments, and would appreciate your sharing with me any auction lots that you
run across and believe would be of interest to other members. Any submissions used will be credited to the contributor.
This month, in keeping with the airmail theme of this issue, I am highlighting several Vatican City covers that were part
of the award-winning Gerhard Wolff Collection of Zeppelin covers auctioned on May 21, 2008 by the Heinrich Köhler
firm in association with both H.R. Harmer and Nutmeg. At the
time of the auction, the exchange rate was €1=$1.57. Prices realized do not include the 18% commission paid by bidders. I am
also including two Vatican lots that recently sold on eBay.
Heinrich Köhler Sale 333, Lot 462
◄1930 South American Flight
This cover is from the first batch of zeppelin mail dispatched by the Vatican. It carries a triple franking of ₤2.50 Vatican postage, ₤2 Italian airmail
rate, and 8 German reichsmark Zeppelin fee. Brought €1,600 against a
presale estimate of €1,000.
Heinrich Köhler Sale 333, Lot 464
►1936 Vaduz-Lausanne Flight
Dispatched from Vatican City on June 6, 1931,
this cover has June 10 postmarks from Vaduz
(Liechtenstein) and Lausanne (Switzerland). It
bears a 1-franc Liechtenstein “Zeppelinpost”
stamp in addition to the Vatican City franking.
The catalogue described it as “very scarce.” It
brought €5,000 against a €1,000 estimate, making it the most expensive Vatican cover auctioned in this sale.
Heinrich Köhler Sale 333, Lot 471
◄1933 First South American Flight
Dispatched from Vatican City, this cover was carried on the Graf Zeppelin
from its home port in Friedrichshafen to Brazil, on one of the many flights
that the airship made on that route. The Vatican City franking includes an
example of the lowest value of the 1933 Holy Year semipostal set. The action
catalogue states that Italian stamps are on the back of the cover. The blueand-white “Posta Aerea Zeppelin” etiquette is commonly found on Vatican
zeppelin covers of 1933, but the Vatican post office corner card and “Poste
Vaticane” official cachet are not. Brought €460 against an estimate of €320.
(Continued on page 20)
18
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Philatelic Society Auction
Terms of Sale
1. All lots sold to highest bidder at one raise above the second high bid.
2. All bids in U.S. Dollars. Purchase limit will be respected. Minimum bids
(MB) are the lowest bid accepted for lot.
3. Equal bids will be considered in order of receipt.
4. Ceiling bids are encouraged.
5. Catalogue numbers are from Scott, unless otherwise noted. Numbers
separated by a dash (1-9) indicate a complete set, numbers
separated by a slash (1/9) indicate a series is incomplete, and the
first and last stamp are listed. A number will be indicated to show
how many stamps are in the lot.
6. The right is reserved to withdraw any lots prior to the closing date.
7. Any lot incorrectly described is returnable within 10 days of receipt. Lots
and collections of ten or more items and/or lots of undescribed
stamps are not returnable for any reason.
8. Submit bids on auction bid sheet or a reasonable facsimile. If time is
short, you may email your bids to [email protected].
9. Invoice will be sent and lots forwarded upon receipt of full payment.
Payment in U.S. Dollars only.
10. Placing a bid constitutes acceptance of the foregoing conditions of sale.
11. Postage, insurance, and/or registration will be added to each invoice.
Vatican Philatelic Society — Auction Bid Sheet
Auction # 147
Closing Date: December 1, 2008
Mail bid sheet to: Dennis Brady, 4897 Ledyard Dr., Manlius, NY 13104-1514
Please purchase for me the following lots at or under the limits stated, and in
accordance with the conditions of sale:
VPS Number:
□ Check if this is a new address
Name:
□ Check if you desire to limit
purchase
Street:
City:
State/Zip:
Lot #
Signature:
Bid
Lot #
Bid
Lot #
Bid
Abbreviations Used
A—Average (Perfs touch/in design)
M—Mint
F—Fine (Perfs clear design)
U—Used
VF—Very Fine (Premium Quality)
NG—Unused, no gum
S—Superb (Perfect Centering)
Blk—Block
LH—Lightly hinged
S/S—Souvenir Sheet
HH—Heavy hinged
Pmk—Postmark
HR—Hinge remnants
FDC-First Day Cover
Faults - Not normally noticeable from front of stamp
Defects - Minor and noticeable from face of stamp
Filler - Damaged, but fills the space
Lot
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Description
ACTA C55-58
ACTA 362-4
ACTA 365-8
ACTA 375-8
ACTA 392-4
ACTA 395-6
ACTA 400-3
ACTA 423-32
ACTA 513-4
ACTA 515-17
ACTA 518-20
ACTA 526-7
ACTA 528-30
ACTA 531-3
ACTA 534-6
ACTA 537-40
ACTA 545-7
ACTA 558-60
ACTA 561-71
ACTA 641-4
ACTA 673-6
ACTA 664-7
ACTA 679-80
ACTA 687-90
ACTA 582-4
28 MH
29 MH
30 MH
41-45 MLH F-FV 46 MNH F-VF
127a 12 copies MNH Perf 14x14
158-168, E13-14 MNH F-VF
169-70 MH
171, 172 MHR
242a MNH
416-19 MNH Blk of 4 of each stamp
420 Blk of 9, 421 Blk of 12, 422 Blk of 12
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
MB
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
5.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
6.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
1.50
5.00
13.00
120.00
3.50
2.20
7.00
3.00
18.00
1.50
3.00
Lot
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
MB
3.00
1.50
20.00
2.25
2.25
3.00
3.00
3.00
4.00
4.00
1.50
5.00
1.50
3.35
3.35
3.50
3.50
20.00
5.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
7.00
45.00
32.00
3.50
2.00
20.00
30.00
35.00
69
Description
C35-44 3 Sets, MNH 1 single, 1 pair
C47-52 3 Sets MNH. 1 single, 1 pair of each
520a S/S MNH 10 sheets
717a S/S MNH
717a S/S MNH
718 S/S MNH
718 S/S MNH
719 S/S MNH
720 S/S MNH
720 S/S MNH
1224 MNH
1245 MNH 4 in Blk of 8
1257 MNH
1307 S/S MNH
1314 S/S MNH
1341 S/S MNH
1328 S/S MNH
Aerogram #12 (1975) Mint Folded
Aerogram #21 (1984) w/FD Cancel, unused
1991 Aerogram Mint Folded
1992 Aerogram Mint Folded
1993 Aerogram Mint Folded
1994 Aerogram Mint Folded
1992 Postal Cards Set of 4
1982 Booklet MNH 8 each 694-5, 698-9
B1-4 LH F-VF
E7-8 LH VF
J13-18 MLH F-VF
Automatic Vending Stamps 1 – 5
685-686 MNH Full Sheets 16 each
707-709 MNH Full Sheets 10 each
239-42 FDC, Unaddressed, Sent Registered
backstamped Zurich & Yonkers, NY
110-21, E9-10 3 Sets MNH total 42 stamps
Lot
Description
MB
70
Vatican Notes
761 & 773d Commercial cover w/contents
4.00
4.00
1.00
19
Lot
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
Description
1-7 MLH VF S
14 Used F
19-27 MNH VF
19-24 MNH VF
32-34 MNH S
42 MNH S
47-18 MNH F
46 Used F
49 Used F
52-52 Used F
55-57 MNH S
1983 Vatican City Yearbook
1984 Vatican City Yearbook
1985 Vatican City Yearbook
1986 Vatican City Yearbook
1987 Vatican City Yearbook
1988 Vatican City Yearbook
1989 Vatican City Yearbook
1990 Vatican City Yearbook
1991 Vatican City Yearbook
1992 Vatican City Yearbook
1993 Vatican City Yearbook
1994 Vatican City Yearbook
1995 Vatican City Yearbook
1996 Vatican City Yearbook
1997 Vatican City Yearbook
1999 Vatican City Yearbook
2000 Vatican City Yearbook
2001 Vatican City Yearbook
2002 Vatican City Yearbook
2003 Vatican City Yearbook
MB
5.10
1.25
1.70
1.00
1.00
1.20
1.40
20.00
8.75
42.00
1.00
99.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
79.00
89.00
89.00
89.00
89.00
89.00
89.00
99.00
120.00
109.00
109.00
109.00
(Continued from page 18)
Heinrich Köhler Sale 333, Lot 475
◄1933 Chicago Flight
This cover was dispatched from Vatican City and went via Milan to Friedrichshafen, where it was loaded aboard the Graf Zeppelin for its flight to
the Century of Progress exposition in Chicago. However, this cover didn’t
make it to Chicago; instead, it was offloaded when the zeppelin stopped in
Miami, Florida. Sold for €1,050 against a presale estimate of €800.
►Used Set of 1934 Provisionals
A complete set of the 1934 provisional set accompanied by a 1964
Diena certificate stating that all
stamps are from the first printing.
Sold by Ruby Stamps on eBay for
$521.44. (2008 Sassone = €1750)
◄ ₤100 Third Issue Revenue Stamp
Lastly, and just to show that not all
auction lots command sky-high
prices, is this ₤100 revenue stamp
from the 1954 third issue. Vatican City revenues are not frequently encountered but odd lots such as this can be found on eBay from time to time. This copy was sold by Eric Jackson on eBay for a
modest $3.25, likely because of its rough perforations and poor centering.
20
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
3988 Budd Sanford, 313 Lilac Dr.,
Los Osos CA 93402
Secretary-Treasurer’s
Report
3989 Theresa L. Young, 7054 Woods West,
Flushing MI 48433-9463
JOSEPH G. [email protected]
3989A Fredrick N. Dukie, 390 Whitetail Cir.,
Lafayette CO 80026-9069
Election update
I have received only one nomination for the office of President (Greg Pirozzi) and one nomination for the office of
Secretary-Treasurer (Joseph Scholten). Thus, an election
for those offices will not be necessary and the nominees
will take office immediately. There have been no nominations for the office of Vice President. I will continue to accept nominations for that office only until December 1. If
more than one nomination is received there will be an
election; if no nomination is received the officers and governors-at-large will appoint a Vice President to fill the two
year term of office.
Dues reminder
A number of members have not yet paid their dues. You
should have received your dues envelope in the last issue of
Vatican Notes. Please don't make it necessary for me to
spend the Society's money to send you a final notice. I
don't like to spend the Society's money that way or to have
to drop members for non-payment of dues.
New members
As of July 1, 2008, your Society has 381 members. Of these,
353 reside in 37 U.S. states and 28 reside in 12 foreign nations. We welcome the following new members admitted
since my last report:
3990 Dawn Fanshier-South, 10019 SE Pardee,
Portland OR 97266
3991 Michael M. Patrick, 2001 N. 15th St. #308,
Arlington VA 22201
3992 Hector Cairns, 4 Forbes Rd.,
Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland FK1 1SS
3993 Robert Scoble, P.O. Box 63
Maroubra, NSW Australia 2035
3994 Leonard T. Becker, 2021 Pineview Dr.,
Spartanburg SC 29307
FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008 FINANCIAL REPORT
BALANCE ON HAND (July 1, 2007)
Petty Cash
($5.53)
Checking
$984.21
Savings
Certificates of Deposit
Interest
Donation
3982 Edward Burns, P.O. Box 460
Stockton Springs ME 04981-0460
Total
3986 John Stenberg, Rullstensgatan #28
Umea Sweden 90655
3987 Rev. Robin E. Rodriguez, 234 Congress St.,
Brooklyn NY 11201
Dues
$0
$338.00
$2,998.00
$299.41
Sales/Auction
$0
+ $5,057.80
EXPENSES YTD
Membership
Notes printing & mailing
Secretary-treasurer exp.
$188.18
$6,589.99
$137.44
Total
- $6,915.61
BALANCE ON HAND (June 30, 2008)
Petty Cash
Checking
Savings
Certificates of Deposit
Total
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
$1,422.39
Advertising
3981 Paul Snezek, Jr., 917 Countryside Dr.,
Wheaton IL 60187
3985 James W. Bosinger, 7642 Bonnier Brook Rd.,
Sylvania OH 43560-3712
$37,059.38
INCOME YTD
Postage
3984 Dan Casey, 2211 Sherobee Rd. #7803
Mississauga ON L5A 2H5
$32,846.92
Total
3980 Lloyd Nutter, Jr., P.O. Box 1106,
McDonough GA 30253
3983 Joseph Magel, 35 Grandin Rd. #30,
St. Albert AB T8N 5W2
$3,233.58
Vatican Notes
$.23
$347.95
$3,644.44
$31,208.95
$35,201.57
21
22
Vatican Notes
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Continued from page 10
◄ Fig. 18: ₤5000 Apostolic Voyages During 1989 (Scott C91)
on an airmail cover
that weighed 300–
350g. Postmarked 12
December 1992 to
Nutley, NJ and
franked with ₤11,900.
Rate calculation:
₤7,700 foreign letter
rate for up to 500g +
₤4,200 airmail rate to
the U.S. (7 × ₤600 per
50g) = ₤11,900.
Although labeled as
printed matter
(STAMPE), this cover
was franked at the
ordinary letter rate
plus the airmail fee for
printed matter.
Fig. 19: ₤6000 Apostolic Voyages
During 1991 (Scott C95) on an airmail
cover that weighed 240–250g. Postmarked 20 November 1993 to Nutley,
NJ and franked with ₤12,500.
Rate calculation: ₤7,700 foreign letter rate for up to 500g + ₤4,800 airmail rate to the U.S. (12 × ₤400 per
20g) = ₤12,500.
Scott C95 was the highest-ever liredenominated stamp issued by the
Vatican Post.
July-August 2008 (Vol. 57 № 1, Whole № 339)
Vatican Notes
23
If not delivered, return to:
Vatican Philatelic Society
Joseph G. Scholten
Secretary-Treasurer
1436 Johnston St. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49507-2829
THIS ISSUE WENT TO THE PRINTER ON
OCTOBER 22, 2008.
A Pre-Airmail Airmail Cover
This Vatican cover presents a number of interesting features. It was mailed to Los Angeles, California on August 1, 1929, the day that the
Vatican post office opened for business. It is also a first day cover for the Conciliation issue; a complete set pays the rate for a registered
surface letter with special delivery service many times over. The sender also used a single copy of U.S. Scott #C11, the then-current 5¢
Beacon airmail stamp issued in 1928, to assure airmail service in the United States between New York (where virtually all incoming European mail entered the U.S. mailstream) and California. Such foreign-origin covers of the Beacon airmail are very desirable.
The three-line purple "Fee Claimed by Office / of First Address. / AUG 11 1929" handstamp was applied in Los Angeles to indicate that a
special delivery messenger was dispatched to deliver the letter and thus was entitled to his fee (10¢ in 1929). Pursuant to an international
postal treaty that took effect on January 1, 1923, the U.S. Post Office Department was required to honor foreign special delivery stamps;
before that date, covers originating abroad had to carry U.S. special delivery stamps in order to receive the service.
This very showy cover was offered on the German eBay site in December of 2007. There was no scan of the reverse; only a backstamp
would definitively prove that it received the paid-for U.S. airmail service, but it seems likely since the letter was received in Los Angeles
only 10 days after being posted. Thus it is a Vatican airmail cover that predates the introduction of Vatican airmail service by nine years!
The 162 Vatican covers carried on an August 2, 1929 first flight to Genoa are generally considered to be the earliest known Vatican airmail
covers, but this one precedes it by a day.