Europa Stamps of Vatican City
1993 to 1997

Earlier this month, we introduced the Europa stamp series and the first participation of Vatican City in this program in 1969. Today’s post will be the first of several Page 2 articles covering the Europa stamps issued by Vatican City. Today reviews the years 1993 to 1997. 1993 Europa 1993: Contemporary Art Vatican City, Scott 932-933 The 1993 set issued by Vatican City was the first set of Europa stamps issued by the Vatican since 1969. Over the intervening 24 years, two things had changed regarding the Europa stamps. First, the administration of the series had changed from the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, or “CEPT”, which managed the series from 1960 to 1992. In 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa stamp program. Also, in 1974, the series changed from the use of a common design to the use of an annual common theme. For 1993, the theme was “Contemporary Art”. The two stamps issued by Vatican City featured two paintings. The pictured 750L stamp shows “The Crucifixion” by Felice Casorati, and the 850L stamp depicts the “Rouen Cathedral” by Maurice Utrillo. 1994 Europa 1994: Great Discoveries Vatican City, Scott 953-954 The 1994 Europa stamps series had as its theme “Great Discoveries”. The 750L stamp depicts the progress from the wheel to the atom, and the 850L stamp portrays the work of Galileo, picturing scientific instruments and the solar system. 1995 Europa 1995: Peace and Freedom Vatican City, Scott 971-972 The theme for the 1995 Europa series was “Peace and Freedom”. The illustration on the 750L stamp shows two sets of hands, one set grasping the second, released from chains, The 850L stamp portrays two hands holding each other against a background of the Earth, a dove and olive branches. 1996 Europa 1996: Famous Women Vatican City, Scott 1009-1010 The 1996 Europa stamps highlighted “Famous Women”. The Vatican City stamps honored physician Gianna Baretta Molla on the 750L stamp and Sister Edith Stein on the 850L stamp. Subsequent to the release of this issue, both women were canonized: Saint Gianna Baretta Molla in 2004 and Edith Stein, as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in 1998. 1997 Europa 1997: Tales and Legends Vatican City, Scott 1038-1039 In 1997, the theme for the Europa stamps was “History and Legends”. The two Vatican City stamps issued paid homage to the Swiss Guard, which has faithfully protected the pope for more than 500 years. REFERENCES: UFN, September 29, 1993, Europe 1993, Contemporary Art UFN, March 25, 1995, Europe 1995, “Peace and Freedom” UFN, May 7, 1996, Europe 1996, “Famous Women” UFN, March 20, 1997, Europe 1997—“History and Legends” Vatican Philatelic Society Website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search First Day Covers for Vatican City Europa stamps (1993-1997)