ITALY’S LATEST STAMP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19501, 9 June 1925, Page 8

ITALY’S LATEST STAMP.

TO COMMEMORATE HOLY YEAR. Italy’s latest stamp issues present a striking contrast oi ancient and modem. On the omo hand wo get an interesting addition to the stamps of religious interest in tho series issued in connection with Holy Year, To these will bo added shortly a sot commemorating the seventh centenary of the death of St. Francis Assisi. The modern element is represented in tho issue of ordinary postage stamps of double tho usual size, on which halt 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 loft many an impress in stamp designs, writes Fred. J. Melville in the Daily Telegraph. The stamps of the Orient are full of symbolism of the religions of Asia. Tho western countries have contributed numerous stamp symbols and aspects of Christianity in Die stamp designs of Europe and America. Among these the cross in its varied forms is familiar on innumerable stamps. Its occurrence as a watermark on the nretty Soudanese stamps of 189 S caused trouble with tho Moslem sheiks. Biblical scenes figure on tho 10s stamp ot Malta, whereon is depicted the shipwreck of St. Paul on tho island called Melita, and on the Italian “De Propaganda Fide” stamps of 1923, which show Christ with his disciples. Tho Virgin Mary • appears on stamps of tho Virgin Islands, and the Archangel Gabriel on Portuguese stamps of the Vasco do Gama, issue (1898). 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, tho Saint preaching to the fishes, and other scenes. On the gummed aide of the St. Anthony stamps is printed a benediction of St. Bonaventura. A promised Spanish issue in celebration of St. Theresa has not yet materialised, but the lady’s portrait figures in miniature on one of (ho Italian stamps of 1923 already referred to St. Domenic, St. Francesco Saverio, St. Michael, and St. George are among tho 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 yeur.%, the dominical label, a litlio perforated annex to its stamps, which bore the injunction in French and Flemish, “Do nol deliver on Sunday.” This could be detached for urgent delivery on Sunday. A favourite series of early classic stamp isuses—those of tho Roman States —arc relics of the latst days, of the temporal power of the Papacy/ In use from 1852 until 1870, thov boro the device of the crossed keys and tiara. The Italian army entered Rome on 20th September. 1870, and the unity of Italy was completed. The Pope’s stamps were superseded by the King’s, but now, after half a century, wo get this remarkable issue by the Kingdom of Italy' for Holy Year, on which are depicted four of the famous churches .of Romo, and scones representing the opening and closing of the Holy Door by the Pope. They are six stamps in the set, the colours and subjects being—2o centesimi. green and brown. St. Marie Maggoiie; 30 centesimi, brown, St. John Lateran: 50 centesimi. violet and brown, St. Paul outside the walls; £0 centesimi, carmine and brown, St. Peter ; 1 lira, blue and violet, opening of the Holy Door; 5 lire, red an] violet, Closing of the HolyDoor.