ITALY’S LATEST STAMP.

Shannon News, 10 July 1925, Page 4

ITALY’S LATEST STAMP.

TO COMMEMORATE HOLY YEAR. Italy’s latest stamp Issue presents a striking' contrast of ancient and modern. On the one hand we get an interesting addition to the stamps of religious interest in the series issued in connection with Holy Year. To these will be added shortly a set commemorating the seventh centenary of the death of St. Francis Assisi. The modern element is represented in the issue of ordinary postage stamps of double the usual size, on which half the space is devoted to trade advertisements.

Religion is so intimate a factor in human life that it would be surprising if it had not left many an impress in the stamp designs, writes Fred J. Melville in the "Daily Telegraph.” The stamps of the Orient are full of symbolism of the religions of Asia. The western countries have contributed numerous stamp symbols and aspects of Christianity in the stamp designs of Europe and America. Among these the cross in its varied forms is familiar on innumerable stamps. Its occurence as a watermark on the pretty Soudanese stamps of IS9S caused trouble with the* Moslem sheiks. Biblical scenes figure on the 10s stamp of Malta, whereon is depicted the shipwreck of St. Paul on the island called Melita, and on the Italian "De Propaganda Fide” stamps of 1.923, which show Christ with his disciples. The Virgin Mary appears on stamps of the Virgin Islands, and the Archangel Gabiiel on Portuguese stamps of the Vasco de Gama issue (1893). A few years ago someone compiled a list of "angels on stamps.” St. Anthony of Padua has been celebrated in a quaint series of Portuguese stamps, showing the Infant Christ appearing to him in a vision, the Saint preaching to the fishes, and other scenes. On the gummed side of the St. Anthony stamps is printed a benediction of St. Benaventura. A promised Spanish issue in celebration of St. Theresa has not yet materialised, but the lady’s portrait figures in miniature on one of the Italian stamps of 1923 already referred to. St. Dominic, St. Francesco Saverio, Sti Michael and St, George are among the postage stamp saints. The planting of the Cross in South America is shown on a stamp of Venezuela, and an open Bible figures on one of the Dominican Republic issues. In the realm of practical religion Belgium has only recently discarded, after many years, the dominical label, a little perforated annex to its stamps, which bore the injunction in French and Flemish, “Do not deliver on Sunday.” This could be detached for urgent delivery on Sunday. i A favourite series of early classic stamp issues—those of the Roman States —are relics of the last days of the temporal power of the Papacy. In use from 1852 until 1870, they bore the device of the crossed keys and tiara. The Italian army entered Rome on September 20, 1870, and the unity of Italy was completed. The Pope’s stamps were superseded by the King's, but now, after half a century, we get this remarkable issue by the Kingdom of Italy for Holy Year, on which are depicted four of the famous churches of Rome, and scenes representing the opening and closing of the Holy Door by the Pope. They are six stamps in the set, the colours and subjects being 20 centesimi, green and brown, St. Maria Maggiore; 30 centesimi, brown, St. John Lateran; 50 centesimi, violet and brown, St. Paul outside the walls; 60 centesimi, carmine and. brown, St. Peter; 1 lira, blue and violet, opening of the Holy Door; 5 lire, red and violet, Closing of the Holy Door.