Anniversary Issues for the Signing of the Lateran Pacts: 90th Anniversary (2019)

For the ninetieth anniversary of the signing of the Lateran Pacts, Vatican City issued one of its most interesting stamp sets, and most controversial from a philatelic perspective. A review of the UFN release for this issue can be accessed by clicking on the link in the reference section below. It gives an overview of the three philatelic items issued for the anniversary. The first item is a minisheet (Scott 1709) which has two stamps each picturing Pope Pius XI (€1.10 each) and Pope Francis (€1.15 each). The selvage on the left-hand side of the sheet shows a map of the Vatican: 90th Anniversary of the Lateran Pacts Minisheet Scott 1709 (2019) The second item is a self-adhesive stamp (Scott 1710), issued jointly with Italy, showing the Hall of Reconciliation of the Lateran Palace, where the Pacts were signed in 1929: 90th Anniversary of the Lateran Pacts Joint Issue with Italy Scott 1709 (2019) The last item is the most unique and controversial of the set. It features the first-ever embroidered cloth stamp issued by Vatican City and carries a hefty face value of €8.40. Taken a step further, the stamp was not issued as a separate item, but needed to be purchased in a folder which also contained a first-day cover of the stamp produced by the Vatican Post Office. The cost for the folder was €28.00. Since the stamp could not be purchased separately at its face value, the Scott Catalog declined to assign it a catalog number because the arrangement violated its listing policies. Here are the stamp and first day cover that are found in the special folder (which is quite nice, consisting of a red satin cover and backing): 90th Anniversary of the Lateran Pacts Embroidered Stamp No Assigned Scott Number (2019) 90th Anniversary of the Lateran Pacts First Day Cover with Embroidered Stamp No Assigned Scott Number (2019) A review of the controversy surrounding the embroidered stamp appeared in a Vatican Philatelic Society Daily Email, which can be accessed by clicking the link in the references below. That completes the look at the Lateran Pacts Anniversary stamps and related philatelic offerings by the Vatican Post Office. We now have five years to wait for the centennial of the Vatican City State to see what will be offered to commemorate the event. REFERENCES: UFN, February 11, 2019, 90th Anniversary of the Lateran Pacts and the Foundation of the Vatican City State Marvin Lanahan, Vatican Philatelic Society Daily Email, The Story of the First Vatican Embroidered Cloth Stamp Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search