Roman States Centenary

Centenary of the First Roman States Stamp 155 (1952) On June 9, 1952 the Vatican issued a single stamp (155) and its very first souvenir sheet (155a) to commemorate the Roman States Centenary. The design of the single stamp and the souvenir sheet of 4 are identical. They depict a horse drawn mail coach leaving the covered Ponte Milvio Bridge with the hills of Rome in the background. A miniature reproduction of the 50 Bajocchi stamp of 1852 is shown in its original color in the lower left corner of the stamp. The top of the souvenir sheet is adorned with the Papal Tiera and Crossed Keys symbol with silken cords draped down the sides. The translation of the wording at the bottom is “Centenary of Postage of the Pontifical States 1852-1952.” When the stamps were first issued, some dealers separated the stamps from the souvenir sheet and sold them as singles. It should be noted there is a difference in perforation. The single stamp measures 13x13.25 while the souvenir sheet stamp measures 13x12.75. The stamps were designed by Corrado Mezzana and the engraving was done by Mazzini Canfarini. 225,000 copies of the individual stamps were produced in sheets of 25 (5x5), while 200,000 souvenir sheets were printed. The stamps were watermarked with the crossed keys (key hilts at the bottom.) Copies exist with inverted watermarks (key hilts at the top.) Two printings exist of the individual stamp. They can easily be distinguished by examining the back of the stamp: in one printing it is reddish-brown; in the other it is grayish. In the April 1954 issue of the Vatican Notes, (see Article Link "Best Design??" below) the editor acknowledged that the VPS members voted the 155a souvenir sheet as the most ‘attractive’, ‘unbeatable’, and ‘striking’ stamp issued by the Vatican. It is interesting to note that a Vatican City dealer price list from May, 1955 asked 20 cents for the single stamp, while the souvenir sheet could be purchased for a mere 80 cents. Article Links: • Anonymous, “Best Design??” Vatican Notes, Vol. 1, No. 9, p. 3 (1954) • Editor, “Roman States Centenary” Vatican Notes, Vol. 6, No. 5, p. 35-6 (1958)