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On April 27, 1956, the Vatican Postal Administration released a set of six stamps to mark the 450th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Swiss Guards. While a long and complete story of the Swiss Guards is in preparation for printing in a later issue of the VATICAN NOTES, we give here two highlights of their history to provide members with brief write-ups for the set when they mount them on their album pages. During a campaign of Charles VIII, king of France, against Naples, in 1505, Pope Julius II observed the military efficiency of the Swiss and they earned his great admiration. He then dispatched Peter von Hertenstein, son of the town mayor of Lucerne, home to deal with the “Tagsatzung” (general state assembly) in order to gain approval for a personal bodyguard for the Pope. An agreement was reached and on Feb. 22, 1506, 150 Swiss soldiers arrived in Rome under the command of Kasper von Silenen. They were greeted by Pope Julius II and assigned quarters in the Vatican which they occupy to this day. The most famous military action in which the Pontifical Swiss Guards were involved was the Sack of Rome in 1527. During this merciless ravage of the Eternal City by the troops of the Emperor, Charles V, 42 Swiss Guards were ordered to accompany the reigning pontiff to the safety of the Castel San Angelo and to insure that no harm came to his person in this stronghold. The commander of the Swiss Guard, Captain-Colonel Kasper Roist (Captain G. Roust on the stamps) and the remaining 147 guards barricaded themselves about the obelisk which stood on the present site of the sacristy of St. Peter’s Basilica. This stand cut off all access to the person of the Pope. For six long hours this small but valiant band fought off thousands of troops under the command of Constable of Bourbon. Their position was not passed until every one of the 147 Swiss Guards were massacred. NOT ONE SINGLE SWISS GUARD RETREATED! The stamps issued for the commemoration of the formation of the Swiss Guards were designed by Miss Casmira Dabrowska. There are three major designs, each common to two values: The 4 lire carmine and 35 lire brown depict Captain-Colonel Kasper Roist and were printed from plates engraved by T. Cionini, Inc.:
Captain-Colonel Kasper RoistScott 203 and 206 (1956) The 6 lire orange and 50 lire violet depict a corporal of the Swiss Guard who was in active service some years ago and were printed from plates by V. Nicastro, Inc.:
Corporal of the Swiss GuardScott 204 and 207 (1956) The 10 lire blue and 60 lire turquoise-green depict two drummers clad in black, blue and yellow striped uniforms instead of the customary yellow blue and red:
Drummers of the Swiss GuardScott 205 and 208 (1956) The stamps were printed on paper watermarked with the crossed keys at the State Printing Office in Rome in panes of 45 stamps (9x5) without marginal inscriptions. [The stamps remained] valid for postage until June 30, 1957. EDITOR’S NOTE: this article first appeared in Vatican Notes in June of 1956 (Volume IV, Number XII, pages 1 and 2). It has been gently edited to add color images of the stamps of the issue as well as other minor edits to account for the passage of time. Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 203-208 Date Issued - 27 April 1956 Face Value - 4 l, 6 l, 10 l, €1.25, 35 l, 50 l, 60 l Perforations - 13 Printer - The Italian State Printing Works |
