The Vatican's Second Embroidered Stamp

Decade for Ecosystem Restoration Scott 1804 (2022) In today's Daily E-Mail, we brought you the story of the first embroidered stamp issued by Vatican City in 2019. The stamp has an interesting history since it is not recognized as a legitimate stamp issue by the Scott Catalogue and thus was never issued a catalogue number. Fortunately, the same fate did not await the second embroidered stamp. In 2022, Vatican City issued the first stamp in what will be a decade-long series of stamps to call attention to an initiative of the United Nations entitled The Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. The first stamp is an embroidered cloth stamp, shown above. As part of the production run of 45,000 stamps, a total of 3.9 million elements of polyester yarn were used. The material was obtained by recycling of 4,000 600-ml plastic bottles. Amazingly, each stamp contains approximately 75 meters of yarn, with about eight stamps being produced from each plastic bottle. This first stamp issued to begin this series starts with an element which is as simple as it is basic to the life cycle: a seed. The seed, which grows in the earth, with the help of the warmth of the sun and the nourishment of the soil, is able to grow into a mature plant. The stamp provides a symbol for the protection of the environment, starting at this most basic level. It is hoped the stamp, which shows a commitment to attention to environmental and ecological consciousness, plants a seed in everyone to focus on efforts, even at a very personal level, to protect our planet. The use of the recycled bottles for the stamps is a tangible symbol of one such effort. As stated in the UPN announcement for this stamp series, which will run through 2030, the Vatican is taking up the call to return to caring for the environment. This is the foundation for this decade-long program by the United Nations to help restore ecosystems and protect the environment. REFERENCES: CFN, September 1, 2022, Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, Year I Vatican Philatelic Society website (www.vaticanstamps.org), Stamp Database Search Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1804 Date Issued - 01 September 2022 Face Value - €1.25 Perforations - Imperf Printing Process - Polystyrene, 3 colors (Cloth stamp) Printer - Hämmerle & Vogel (Austria) Max Printed - 45,000