MAIL BOX COMEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

MAIL BOX COMEDY.

NEW VATICAN STAMPS

POSTMAN AND LOST KEY

The littlo post office of the Vatican citv was thronged by a largo and somewhat rough crowd of eager stamp collectors and tourists when it opened its doors for tho first time to the public, last month, writes a Roino correspondent. Hy nino o'clock a thousand pcoplo were, more or less, queued up to get the new papal stamps, cither in tho whole series of 15 or just to stick on post-enrds which had been written tho night before. The stamps aro only valid when affixed to letters posted in the City of tho Vatican, so that the new bluo letter-box with tho golden keys of St. Peter and tho words, " Pontifical Post " on it was chockfull at eleven, when tho first collection was mado by tho Papal postman in his quaint black uniform. The postman climbed down from his ' old black horso-van, which also had tho golden crossed keys upon it, and somo amusement was caused when tho keys to tho now letter box were discovered to have been lost, and a locksmith had to bo fetched. When it was at last opened tho heavy mails wcro put in tho black van and carried off across St. Peter's Square. Many nuns and priests had posted lottors by this post, doubtless eager that friends should get the first tangible proof of tho new Vatican Sts.to that has been created. Tho littlo post oflico. which is only a temporary wooden building, sold over 20,000 stamps on the first day to an overincreasing and unruly crowd. Tho new sories consists of 15 stamps verying in value from 5 centesimi (id) to 10 lire (about 2r Id), in seven colours, red, green, riolot, blue, .yellow, brick and grey—and two designs, one with an effigy of Popo Pius XI. upon it, and ono bearing an imprint of the crossed keys of St. Peter and a initre. All tho stamps boar tho inscription, " Vatican Post, 1929," in Roman figure