Stamps of the Kingdom of Italy

by Tony Clayton

Parcel Stamps

Express Stamps <<-- : -->> Pneumatic Post Stamps

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Parcel Stamps were first issued in 1884. For a while they were withdrawn, and then issued in a new format in 1914 as a pair of small stamps, one half of which is used for a receipt.

1884 Issue

10c Parcel stamp Sassone P1

20c Parcel stamp The key stamp of the set. Sassone P2

50c Parcel stamp Sassone P3

50 centesimi Parcel Card of the first 1888 issue from Amandola to Rome This denomination was used for internal parcels to be collected from a Post Office Pertile 1

75 centesimi Parcel Card from Grottaminarda to Milan This denomination was used for internal parcels to be delivered, or for overseas offices in Italian Colonies Pertile 2

1l25 centesimi Parcel Card from Turin to Gotha in Germany This denomination was used for addresses in France, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. In this case it was uprated to the 1l75 required for Germany Pertile 3

1l75 Parcel Card from Sesto Fiorentino to Copenhagen with additional 50c parcel stamp It is very rare to find stamps from this set still on a parcel card. This style of card was for use with parcels going to Germany, Belgium, Turkey and Malta, and had to be uprated as it was going to Denmark. Sassone P3, Pertile 4

In 1889 a new style of card was introduced, with additional denominations Pertile 6

The new style 75c card Pertile 7

An unused copy of the 2l70 card used for parcels destined for Great Britain Pertile 10

In 1890 the rates for internal delivery were amalgamated to 60 centesimi whether or not the parcel was delivered or collected from the Post Office. An overprint was used before a new card was printed, and issued on 1st November 1890 Pertile 12

A 60 centesimi card was issued nine days later on 10th November 1890 Pertile 13

From September 1892 a new design with a modified coat of arms was introduced Pertile 15

1914 Issues

The first issue of the two part stamp had scrolls with a line of three stars in between the two halves

20 lire deep purple, the top value of the 1914 set Sassone P19

A 2l50 card uprated by 14 lire; the card is in a style first issued in 1923. Pertile 32

1923 issue

The 5c was overprinted with three new denominations.

30c overprint on 5c brown Sassone P20

60c overprint on 5c brown Sassone P21

1 lire 50c overprint on 5c brown Sassone P22

1925 Issue

The 10 lire was overprinted 3 lire. Quite why is not known.

3 lire on 10 lire pale purple Sassone P20

A scarce 13 lire card uprated by 16.10 lire using two examples of the 3 lire overprint as well as an unoverprinted 10 lire in a distinctly different shade. Pertile 36

1927 Issues

With the arrival of a fascist government under Mussolini the scrolls were replaced by a pair of fasces separated by a dotted line with a flower at each end.

1 lire in the scarce lilac-brown shade Sassone P30b

A later style card from Bologna to Brussels with both fascist and pre-fascist stamps Sassone P8, P29 and P31, Pertile 55B

Insurance Stamps (Francobolli Assicurativi)

Starting in 1926 stamps were issued for insurance of parcels and registered letters. Their format was similar to the two-part parcel stamps of the period. They went out of use in 1945, losing validity by the end of 1947. Examples of all types are quite scarce.

Used right half of 1.50 lire valid solely for parcels giving cover up to 100 lire The stamp has zig-zag perfs that were clearly inadequate, so this example was cut from the sheet with scissors. Sassone FA9

Used right half of 3 lire valid for parcels and registered letters. 1926, zig-zag perforations Image courtesy of the Italy & Colonies Study Circle. Sassone FA6

Used left half of 10 lire valid for parcels and registered letters. 1936, Normal perforations Image courtesy of the Italy & Colonies Study Circle. Sassone FA16

Receipt of 2.50 lire card with 1 lire and two 25c halves, as well as an insurance half. Sassone P26 and P30, Pertile 54B?

1944 Social Republic Issue

20 lire overprinted REP SOC ITALIANA This stamp saw little, if any, postal use, and genuine used examples are exceedingly rare Sassone P47

1945 Fasces Obliterated Issue

With the fall of the fascists, there was a need to remove the fasces from the stamps. Initially an ornate obliterator was overprinted on them.

20 lire overprinted centrally Sassone P59

1946 No Fasces Issue

Six parcel stamps were issued during the brief reign of Umberto II prior to the formation of the Republic

20 lire lilac brown Sassone P65

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