Volume 56, No. 6 www.vaticanphilately.org May–June 2008 ALSO: SOCIETY ELECTIONS AND AWARDS ◆ MORE PHILATELIC EPHEMERA ◆ THE 1989 BIRDS ISSUE GardensGardens && MedallionsMedallions 75th75th AnniversaryAnniversary RetrospectiveRetrospective GREG PIROZZI — [email protected] This year marks the 75th anniversary of the now classic series of eighteen definitive stamps issued on May 31, 1933 by the Vatican City. Featuring views of Vatican landmarks and a portrait of Pope Pius XI, the colloquial name appended to the series by Italian collectors—giardini e medaglioni, or gardens and medallions—refers to the series’ subject matter and design format. The series was in use for a long time, spanning the pre– and post–WWII rate periods, making it particularly interesting and complex from the standpoint of postal history. In a series of three articles, I will review the technical characteristics and known varieties of each value of this issue and then illustrate significant usages, rates and destinations. I begin in this issue with the nine low values of the series (Scott #19-27), denomi- nated in centesimi and printed in a small vertical format. Subsequent installments will examine the midrange lire-denominated values (Scott #28 -31) and a final part will cover the high values and the express stamps (Scott #32-34, E3-4). All of the stamps were engraved and printed in two colors (with the exception of the 5 centesimi value printed in scarlet only) by the newly formed Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato (State Printing Works) in Rome. Interestingly, al- though the bicolor values were printed in sepa- rate passes for the frame and vignette, no invert errors are known to exist. The first nine values were printed in sheets of 100 examples (10 × 10 format) and line perforated 14 on paper watermarked with the crossed keys and papal tiara seal of the Holy See. The watermark can be found in several orientations including inverted and with the keys fac- ing either left or right. The selvage is watermarked with the name “Stato Della Città Del Vaticano,” and stamps are known containing part or all of this watermark as a result of misalignment of the paper on the press. (Continued on page 7) ▲Fig. 1: Rare essay of the five centesimi value printed in deep blue on thick card paper and crudely perforated. Most of the design details are identical to the issued stamp with the ex- ception of the placement of the engraver’s name on the inner frame. ◄Fig. 2: Enlargements of the five centesimi value as issued show the revised placement of the engraver’s name as indi- cated by the arrow and the addition of ‘D.I.’ following his name, which stands for ‘Designer Engraver’ (‘Disegnatore Incisore’). 2 Vatican Notes President’s Message DANIEL CELANI—[email protected] Official Bimonthly Organ of the Vatican Philatelic Society This is the end of our fiscal year and time for our bi-annual Organized 1953 American Philatelic Society Affiliate #129 elections again. With mixed emotions I have decided not to www.vaticanphilately.org seek another term. I believe I have attained each of the goals I had set out to accomplish in just one term, so I don't feel EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR that I am leaving the society hanging. Daniel A. Piazza Greg Pirozzi P.O. Box 76846 19101 Starkey Terrace Washington DC 20013-6846 Brookeville MD 20833-3285 A couple of events are scheduled to take place in my life in [email protected] [email protected] the next year or so that require a lot of my attention. At the OFFICERS end of the year I will close down the printing business and retire. I will keep the building and most of the equipment PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Daniel Celani Dick Leitermann and do some charity and nonprofit printing, on my sched- 126 N. Main St 1945 River Park Court ule, not theirs. I will also be moving to a more rural area Capac MI 48014 Milwaukee, WI 53226-2840 [email protected] [email protected] and be breaking in a new woman at the same time. SECRETARY–TREASURER Nothing concerning my collecting habits and interests will Joseph Scholten 1436 Johnston St. SE change and I will continue to welcome your phone calls on Grand Rapids, MI 49507-2829 Sundays from noon to midnight. (586-420-9592) [email protected] APPOINTED CHAIRPERSONS I want to thank all the elected and appointed officers who have served so well. This isn't a one man show and all their MEMBERSHIP AUCTIONEER Sal Quinonez Dennis Brady effort has been appreciated. 1 Aldergate 4897 Ledyard Drive Apt 1002 Manlius, NY 13104-1514 Riverhead, NY 11901-1819 [email protected] PONTIFICAL STATE & INDEX & BEREAVEMENT ADVERTISING Rev. Edward J. Mullowney, S.S.J. Daniel A. Piazza Saint Joseph’s Manor P.O. Box 76846 911 West Lake Drive Washington DC 20013-6846 Baltimore, MD 21210-1099 [email protected] Q & A LIBRARIAN John F. Schorn Francis J. Lafferty 10417 Burnt Ember Dr 7 Applewood Dr. Silver Spring MD 20903-1337 Dover DE 19901-6245 [email protected] [email protected] BACK ISSUES CHAIRMAN TRANSLATION (APS) Dan Bayer DmytroVacant Bykovetz, Jr. PO Box 78 902 Stratford Ave Dexter, MI 48130-0078 Melrose Park, PA 19027-2922 [email protected] [email protected] GOVERNORS AT LARGE Frederick J. Levitsky 13 Lesley Avenue Auburn MA 01501-3105 [email protected] John F. Schorn Daniel A. Piazza 10417 Burnt Ember Dr. P.O. Box 76846 Silver Spring, MD 20903-1337 Washington D.C. 20013-6846 [email protected] [email protected] Neither Vatican Notes nor the Vatican Philatelic Society can be held liable or in any way responsible for the content of advertisements appearing within these pages. All claims, offers, guarantees, state- ments, etc., made by Vatican Notes advertisers are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Deceptive or misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or to the Better Business Bureau. ©2008 Vatican Philatelic Society. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY ZANDER PRESS INC. May-June 2008 (Vol. 56, № 6) 3 ite by marking your choice on the enclosed dues envelope. The Blue Pencil Several members have E-mailed to ask why I have been DANIEL A. PIAZZA—[email protected] using the symbol for the British pound in front of denomi- nations expressed in Vatican lire. In fact there is a subtle It is the end of the VPS fiscal year, which means it is time difference; the pound sign is a script “L” with a single hori- for Society elections and the Veritas Award, presented an- zontal bar (£) while the lira sign always has two bars (₤). nually to the best feature article in Vatican Notes as judged by a vote of the membership. A feature article is one that is Why are the symbols so similar? Because both units of cur- original (i.e., not a translation or compilation); signed by rency descend from the ancient Roman Librum, a unit of its author; illustrated; more than two pages long (including weight that referred to the amount of pure silver in a Ro- centerfolds and illustration pages but not purely decorative man coin. The lira sign was widely used in both Italy and title pages); and explores some aspect of Vatican philately Vatican City before the introduction of the euro, although or postal history in depth. News items, regular columns, it normally followed the denomination rather than pre- and one-page contributions—while appreciated by the edi- ceded it (i.e., 500₤ rather than ₤500). However, I generally tor and readers—are not eligible for this special award. As place it before the denomination because the vast majority your editor it is my privilege to nominate the following of our readers are American and used to seeing currency eligible articles from Volume 56: symbols before the digits. July-August 2007 (Vol. 56, No. 1) "Vatican Scientific and Cultural Institutions-Part III: Letters Received Vatican Apostolic Library" (Greg Pirozzi) "Vatican Europa Issues" (Michael B. Lamothe) You are correct (“Raimondi Redux”, March-April 2008, September-October (Vol. 56, No. 2) page 24) that Anna Raimondi was Aldo’s daughter. She "Vatican Scientific and Cultural Institutions-Part IV: died about a year ago. Aldo’s father Roberto also worked in The Vatican Observatory" (Greg Pirozzi) watercolor. November-December (Vol. 56, No. 3) Albert Bajohr "The Watercolors of Aldo Raimondi" (Greg Pirozzi) Sebring, Florida "Vatican City and the Golden Age of Ocean Liner In the Pontifi- Travel" (Greg Pirozzi) cal Page sec- January-February (Vol. 56, No. 4) tion of the "'Le Forme Belle' of Antonio Canova" (Daniel A. last issue of Piazza) Vatican Notes (March-April "Vatican Mourning Covers" (Greg Pirozzi) 2008, page March-April (Vol. 56, No. 5) 16), Fr. Mul- "An Interview with Irio Fantini" (Michael B. Lamothe) lowney illus- "Vatican Philatelic Ephemera, Part I-Philatelic Show trated a mourning cover from his own collection. I possess Folders" (Michael Krejci) a mourning cover sent from Palombara to Rome via Tivoli (the district center) in August 1865. The postage was paid May-June (Vol. 56, No. 6) on the front with a 2 bajocchi stamp cancelled by the Tivoli "Vatican Philatelic Ephemera, Part II-Philatelic Show grill. This cover was included in the October 18, 2005 Nut- Sheets and Cards" (Michael Krejci) meg auction of Roman States postmarks from the extensive "Eleazar Albin and Vatican City's Only Bird Stamp Is- collections of Fred Levitsky and Fabio Pompeii. sue" (Matthew V. Cassetta) Tom Duckworth “Gardens & Medallions 75th Anniversary Retrospec- New York, New York tive, Part I” (Greg Pirozzi) Editor’s note: the reverse of Tom’s cover, showing the Rome and Thanks to all of these authors for sharing the fruits of their Palombara markings as well as the thin mourning border, is il- research by filling the pages of our Society journal with lustrated with his letter.