es The Journal ot The Vatican Philatelic SocieLy

~:;..< The First Philatelic Socie,~yin The United staLBS Devoted Exclusivelyto Vatican C~ and Roman States Stamps

Volume 48, No.4 January, 2000 1999 CHRISTMAS ISSUE by Thomas Crimando

On November 24, Vatican City issued a series of of St. Mary of Spineta near in , but four Christmas stamps. The stamps are vertical, became part of the collection measuring 30.5 x 40 mm., and have a perfora- in 1828. tion of 13. They were printed by lithography and issued in sheets of 10. Ashton Potter of Canada printed 450,000 complete series. The inscription NATIVITAS D.N.I. CHRTSTI MCMXCIX (Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ- 1999) appears at the left or top of the stamps. At the bottom are the Papal Tiara and Crossed Keys, the words CITTA DEL VATICANO, and the value. The stamps feature a fifteenth century painting by Giovanni di Poetro, better known as "Lo Spagna" (c 1450 - 1528). The values and illustrations are as follows: 500 Lire - St. Joseph; 800 Lire - The Infant Jesus with Angels; 900 Lire - The Virgin Mary with Angels; 1,200 Lire - The Painting in its Entirety. Like his more famous contemporary Sanzio (1483 - 1520), Lo Spagna was a student of the noted Umbrian painter Pietro Vannucci, better known as Perugino (1446 - 1523). Lo Spagna worked all over Umbria, and some of his paintings may be found in the lower portion of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, as well as in , Todi, and . The painting depicted on the 1999 Christmas stamps was originally lo- cated in the Convent of the Reformed Religious FROM THE PRESIDENT ~tt~~tBBi~y1fot(ZS By PRESIDENT THOMAS I. CRIMANDO of the VATICAN PHILATELIC SOCIETY This is our first issue to be published during Organized 1953 ... the Jubilee Year of 2000. Like many others, I American Philatelic Society Affiliate # 129 watched the television coverage of Pope John ~ ... Dennis P. Brady, Editor Dan Celani, Publisher Paul II formally beginning the Jubilee Year 4897 Ledyard Drive 19622 Webster with the opening of the Holy Door on Christ- Manlius, NY 13104 Clinton Twp., MI48035 Emailepatbrad [email protected] [email protected] mas Eve. Additional details on this historic OFFICERS event may be found in the description of the PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Thomas I. Crimando Rev. Charles Tuttle recently issued Holy Door stamps, which ap- 8143 Mill Road P.O. Box 189 pears in this issue. For some time now, we Bergen, NY 14416 Breese, IL 62230 have also been reprinting pages from a book SECRETARY TREASURER on past Holy Years provided by our late Back Wallace R. Smith Mrs. Lillian Salvetti Issues Chairman Joseph Ostrowski. We will 165-15 Union Tpk. 13 Carrelton Drive Flushing, NY 11366 Paterson, NJ 07522 continue to do so until the entire book has

APPOINTED CHAIRMAN appeared in Vatican Notes. MEMBERSHIP AUCTIONEER Sal Quinonez Rev. Charles Tuttle 2 Aldergate, Apt 119 P.O. Box 189 You may have noticed that my byline has been Riverhead, NY 11901 Breese, IL 62230 appearing very frequently in the Notes. While PONTIFICAL STATES SLIDE CHAIRMAN Rev. Floyd A. Jenkins, SJ Michael D. Kinney I am very happy to serve our Society by writ- Loyola University 1430 Daly Ave. P.O. Box 45041 Wis. Rapids, WI 54494 ing new issue announcements and other oc- Los Angeles, CA 90045 E- [email protected] casional articles, we really need more articles Q & A CHAIRMAN ADVERTISING John F. Schorn written by more of our members. As I have Dennis P. Brady 3900 Elby St. 4897 Ledyard Drive stated previously, such articles can focus on Silver Spring,MD 20906-4415 [email protected] Manlius, NY 13104 [email protected] the subjects of Vatican stamps, including spe- LIBRARIAN & cific popes, saints, artists, or noteworthy his- ADVISORY COUNCIL INDEX Francis J. Lafferty Friar Bernard Barry, OFM toric events. In addition, we can always use 12 Bordeaux PI Mt. St. Francis Retreat Centre Swedesboro, NJ 08085-1804 P.O. Box 220 articles on such topics as specific perforation Cochrane, AB Canada TOLOWO BACK ISSUES CHAIRMAN or color varieties, errors, unusual usages of Dan Bayer TRANSLATION (APS) Vatican stamps, interesting covers, or the Vati- Box 26821 Dmytro Bykovetz, Jr. Shawnee Mission, KS 902 Melrose Park can Post Oflice. I encourage those who have 66225-6821 Philadelphia, PA 19126 [email protected] written articles in the past to continue to do GOVERNOR AT LARGE GOVERNOR AT LARGE W.M. Wickert so. If you have never written for the Notes, I Frederick J. Levitsky 3348 Clubhouse Rd. 13 Lesley Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23452 urge you to consider writing an article. Please Auburn, MA 01501 [email protected] feel free to contact our Editor or myself if we Neither Vatican Notes nor The Vatican Philatelic Society can be can be of assistance. held liable, or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement appearing within these pages. All claims, offers, guarantees, statements, etc., made by Vatican Notes' advertisers I wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosper- are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Deceptive or mis- leading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints ous 2000. regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or to the Better Business Bureau. Free

Price Special Offerings: Maximun Cards (3) 803-805 w/Labels $17.50 List RARE FOC BOOKLET #1 Pane $95.00

Vatican #518** Full Sheet of 10 Vatican #519a-d** Full Gutter Sheet of 10 New price list free to V.P.S. members. Vatican #520** Full Sheet of 10 W. Europe stamps: Italy, Vatican City, San Price, lncl, flat mail & Insur. $450.00 Marino, S.M.O.M., the French area, English area, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzer- land, Scandinavian etc. Also Postal cards-Aerogram mas ACT As and Thousands of all kinds of topicals. The list con- Maximum Cards. tains over 13,500 sets including Europa NEW ISSUESBRVICE (CEPT). of Germany, Israel, U.N., San Marino, Non members please send a #10 55¢ self ad- Liechtenstein & Specializing in ALAND dressed stamped envelope. FRANK COPPOLA Harry L. Weiss P.O. Box 181 022 ~~~ P.O. Box 3396 Utica, MI 48318-1022 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 276-7252 NEW J1Iatiran illit1J ISSUE INSIDE THIS ISSUE SERVICE ITAL v- SAN MARINO 1999 Christmas Issue Thomas Crimando . • • • • • • • • • • • . • 1 Complete Comprehensive Coverage President's Letter To Highlight Your Personalized Collection Thomas Crimando· • • • • • • • • • . • • • 2 o l\IINT SETS 0 GOLDEN SERIES FDC F.W. (Willy) Von Meister o l\IINT BLOCKS OGOLD SERIES l\IAXCDS Rev. Edward J. Mullowney, S.S.J.· • • ·4 o USED SHEETS 0 SILK FDC OOFFICIAL FOLDERS OSPECIAL EVENTS CANC. Collectors View of the Vatican o ACTAS 0 OFFICIAL COIN SETS Albert A. Antonellis· • • • • • • • • • • • 5 o DECREETOS OOFFICIAL POSTAL CDS Women at the Vatican o THE TRAVELS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II Lois Lunsford Corbin. • • • • • • • • • • • 6

VATICAN YEAR SETS VATICAN AIR LETTERS Auction INCL. AIR J\,IAILS Rev. Charles Tuttle. • • • • • • • • • • • • 8 1996 MINT $1.25 1996 CPL !\lINT $37.75 FOC $1.50 Jumble Answers ••••••••••••••••••• 10 1995 CPL !\lINT $33.95 1995 MINT $1.25 1994 CPL !\lINT $37.50 FOC $1.50 Auction Results· • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • 10 1994 MINT $1.50 1993 CPL !\lINT $33.00 FOC $1.60 Opening the Holy Door Issue 1992 CPL !\lINT $43.50 1993 MINT $1.60 Join Our New Issue .... FOC $1. 75 Thomas Crimando • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11 (Service...& Save) Towards the Year 2000 ••••••••••••••• 12 SPECIALI VATICAN CITY "Coronation J.P. II 3/79 Everyday Cancellations NATIVITY '95 Cane. Cover $3.95 FDC $1.50" PEACE DAY '96 Cane. Cover $3.95 "Coronation Pope Paul VI Nils Rundqvist • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 EASTER '96 Cane. Cover $3.95 FDC $1.50" Special Cancellations

APS P.O. Box 8896 Frederick J. Levitsky •••••••••••• 15 Talbot A. Fuerst VPS Coral Springs, FL 33075 Zeppelin Post Cover 1·98 Rev. Edward A. Mullowney, S.S.J.· • ·16 VATICAN NOTES -January, 2000 Page 3 F. W. (WILLY) VON MEISTER By Rev. Edward J. Mullowney, S.S.J.

The photocopy of the only letter on the South American Zeppelin flights and tried to keep flight schedules hidden Flight of 1930 posted from the Vatican and addressed to so that the covers could be sold at a big profit. Willy made New York is interesting and unique. Just as interesting is sure the flight schedules were published along with the the man to whom it is addressed. Willy von Meister was proper postage rates. He prepared many covers himself the link between the United States and Germany when it and sold them for the cost of the postage and personally came to Zeppelin flights. He was born to a mother who serviced covers for collectors with no extra charge for was born in London of American parents and a father his services. All this was done from his New York office who was German and at the time assigned to the German at 578 Madison Avenue. This double rate letter (Figure Embassy. His mother was accepted into German society 1) Was prepared for Sam Bayer in Rome. F. W. von and became friendly with the eldest daughter of Queen Meister received this unusual piece at his New York of- Victoria, who was also the mother of Kaiser Wilhelm II. fice for Sam Bayer as he did for so many collectors. That Willy claimed to have two godfathers, a German prince is why we find so many letters with his name and address and the Kaiser himself. on so many Zeppelin covers. For all the Zeppelin col1ec- Von Meister took a degree in chemistry, but due to the tors a big thank you to Wil1y von Meister. economic conditions in Germany, his uncle encouraged Figure 1, below, is the only letter on this flight with Vati- him to seek his fortune in America. He took a job at an can postage destined for New York City. (There were two auto agency in Newark, NJ. He took a trip back to Ger- postcards with this destination). This double rate letter many to see his uncle in Friedrichafen and made contact carries triple franking, double rate. 2.50 Lire Vatican post- with the Zeppelin Company. This led to the opportunity age, 2 Lire Italian airmail rate and 8 Reichsmarks Zeppe- to open an agency in New York to sell Maybach automo- lin fee. Postmarked from the Vatican May 10, 1930 and biles and Maybach engines for boats. It was 1924. bears the on board Graf Zeppelin cancel on the two Ger- Willy van Meister met Hugo Eckener on the arrival of man stamps that were printed for the South American the Graf Zeppelin's first North American trip (October flight. The red cachet is the special cachet for this flight. 12-15, 1928). Dr. Eckener's English was not good, so on the left is the signature of Eckener. The reverse side Willy offered to act as his interpreter and this began a shows the green Lakehurst, NJ receiving stamp dated May friendship that would last until Eckener's death in 1954. 31, 1930 with the green zeppelin noting graf zeppelin Willy van Meister was well connected and took over re- round flight. pairs to the GrafZeppelin's engines, ironed out difficul-

ties, made arrangements for just . "j' about everything concerning the Zeppelin. It was said that he did everything but book pas- sengers! When Hugo Eckener was in deep trouble with the Nazi gov- ernment, von Meister visited his friend at the New York Times, Adolph Ochs. Eckener had stopped at the Times when- ever in New York and Willy von Meister wanted a laudatory editorial about Eckener printed. F.-. t?on It e t e t e r Von Meister was told that no fUr S .l1aye'r - tiom one told the Times what to NflIiI-Y07lr write, but the next day the edi- torial appeared. It was said that 578 AicIUsonAt?e •• this editorial saved Eckener's life! What did Willy do for the stamp collector? He noticed that dealers prepared covers for

Page 4 VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 A COLLECTOR'S VIEW OF THE VATICAN By Albert A. Antonellis

A recent trip to Italy by my wife and I began with bronze Baldacchino by Bemini, #451, can be seen two days in Rome with the Vatican as our first desti- from the gallery. nation. Although we have visited the Vatican on pre- Our next goal was the top of the dome, 320 steps up. vious occasions, I felt this was a good opportunity to A stairway inside the drum ended at a terrace sur- relate our visit to my Vatican collection. rounding the lantern. The stairway was very narrow One of the most impressive views of the Vatican is with an occasional niche to allow those with sturdier from the Pius XII Square where one can view St. legs to pass. The final few steps to the top consisted Peter's Basilica. the square, colonnades. obelisk and of an extremely narrow spiral stairway and a large Vatican Palace in one panoramic view, Scott # 895-7. rope to hold on to for support. Only by climbing the Once in St. Peter's Square, #144, a photo next to the 320 steps, having to lean into the curvature of the fountains is a must. The left fountain by Bernini in dome near the top and reaching the terrace can you 1675 and the right fountain hy Maderno in 1613, # fully appreciate the genius of Michelangelo, the de- 573. Between the fountains is the obelisk, brought to signer; postal card issue of 1990 commemorating the Rome in AD 37 by Caligula and raised in its present 400th anniversary of the construction of the dome. position by Fontana in 1585. #C37. From the top ofthe dome, the entire Vatican City as Before visiting the hasilica, our next stop was a tour well as parts of Rome can be seen, #773. of the Vatican Gardens. This was a guided tour ar- After returning to ground level, the basilica was our ranged through the Vatican Tourist Information Ofice. next goal. Swiss guards were quite evident, #1038. Although the pope's personal vegetable garden which Going past the Holy Door, #135 and to the right we we saw has not appeared on a stamp, many parts ofthe enter the Pieta Chapel with Michelangelo's master- garden that we viewed were recognized as appear- piece, the Pieta, #384. After other monuments and ing on stamps and postal cards; Apse and Transepts chapels, we see the statute of St. Peter, #351. This of St. Peter's Basilica, postal card issue of 1950; foun- statute, a 13c bronze by Amolfo di Cambio has been tain in St. Martha's Square and the Church of St. so venerated by pilgrims that the feet of the statute Stephen of Abyssinians, #574; fountain near the are worn smooth. Casina of Pius IV and Academy of Sciences, #577; The Baldacchino is as impressive looking up close Fountain ofthe Eagle, #986, and numerous other fa- as it was from the gallery looking down. miliar locations. The Vatican Grottoes beneath the altar contain the Before touring the basilica itself, a more formidable papal tombs. Tombs of Pius XII, John XXIII, and task presented itself-a climb to the top of dome, C#22. others can be seen in the portion of the Grottoes open The first part of the ascent only involved stepping to the public. The monument of Pius VI sculpted by into an elevator to the balustrade of the basilica where Antonio Canova is in the Chapel of the "Confession", the huge statutes of Christ and John the Baptist and #245. the apostles (excluding St.Peter) can be truly appre- Our final destination was the Sistine chapel to view ciated; postal card issue of 1949. An exceptional view Michelangelo's masterpieces recently restored to of the Vatican Gardens can be seen from this loca- their original brilliance; the ceiling, #870-81 and tion including a floral display of the coat of arms of #944-51, and the west wall, the Last Judgment. #952. Pope John Paul II, #645. This display was viewed Among the paintings on the side walls is one of Moses during our tour of the gardens, but could not be fully explaining the laws to the people, a fresco by Luca appreciated without an aerial view. Access to an in- Signorelli, #C73. Benches on both sides ofthe Chapel ternal gallery at the base of the dome is available provide easy viewing of these paintings. from the roof. From the gallery you can appreciate The Vatican is a treasure trove of art and beauty, not the vastness of the basilica, the height of the dome to be missed when in Rome. and its decorations. An exceptional view of the gilt

VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 Page 5 Women at the Vatican by Lois Lunsford Corbin

Introduction ors a Eucharistic Congress, for she conceived The brief biographies that follow deal with the idea of such congresses. In addition to the ladies who have been recognized by the Vati- two Queens of Poland included in the biogra- can on stamps - saints and queens, primarily, phies, other queens have contributed to the whose sanctity and contributions to Christian growth of the Vatican and the Church with life are unquestionable. Their positions as we their gifts of talent and philanthropy, Chris- know them now would seem to make them tina of Sweden prominent among them. Many remote not only in time but from "ordinary saints not yet recognized on Vatican stamps life" as most of us know and live it. Contem- have added their aura of sanctity, including porary women, however, should not find it St. Theresa of Avila, St. Elizabeth Seton, the impossible to relate to them; to emulate them first native saint of the United States. Finally, is what is difficult. Many thousands of other it was the scholarly knowledge of one learned women have contributed to the Vatican over woman, Margherita Guarducci, a professor at the centuries. The devout who have wor- the university of Rome, who through her shipped in St. Peter's Square and in the Ba- knowledge of ancient languages and some silica have made their contribution. The nuns detective work was able to confirm that it was of the various orders who have done much of indeed the grave of the Apostle Peter over the housekeeping, the nursing and the fine which St, Peter's Basilica now rises. The Vir- needlework that has contributed in every age gin Mary, Mother of Christ, is the Lady most to the beauties of the Vatican; comfort, as well often represented on the stamps of the Vati- as devout worship; have been their contribu- can, and the representations of Her are a sub- tions. For the most part their contribution has ject unto themselves. Because of the example been an anonymous one, and could be said to and inspiration She has been to all those within be represented by the women shown in Vati- these pages, and is to all ages, this work is can 588-589, issued for the International dedicated to her, reigning as she does pre- Women's Year. Other women have contrib- eminent among the saints. uted their artistic talents, including the design- Saint FAITEI - Intercessor Faith, Hope and ing of Vatican stamps. One thinks at once of Charity, as shown on Vatican 345-347, are Casmira Dabrowska, the Polish miniature art- from the Predella della Deaosizione, painted ist whose superb stamp designs are known to by Raphael (1483-1520) in 1507 for the us all. Another woman represented on Vati- Baglioni family Chapel in S. Francisco al can stamps is Beatrice Portinari, the life-long Prato Church, Perugia, to commemorate the love and inspiration of Dante Alighieri (1265- death of a son in the family. The predella was 1321), the Italian poet. A reminder of the life sent to pope Paul V in 1608, and later was and work of Marie Martha Emilia Tamisier presented by him to his nephew Scipione (1834-1910) comes with every issue that hon- Borghese, and it entered the Borghese Gal-

Page 6 VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 lery, Rome. Looted by Napoleon in 1878, the 59-,593), which was built on the site of the predella and the central painting of the En- earlier 8th century Abby. Conques was on the tombment was returned to Rome in 1815. The route to the shrine of St. James at Compostella, Entombment is now in the Borghese Gallery; and here both pilgrims to the shrine in Spain, the three vignettes are in Room VIII, the and crusaders, invoked the intercession of St. Raphael Room of the Pinacotiona Vaticana. Faith, and then took back the memory of her There has been much debate as to Raphael's to their own countries. Many districts of intentions for the three vignettes: three Ma- France have place-names for churches dedi- donna, three Virtues or the three saints said to cated to St. Foy, and her fame passed into Italy have been martyred in Rome under Hadrian; and Spain, and eventualy to South America, feast day, August 1st. Though their places and especially to Bogota, Columbia. In England dates of birth and death are unknown, legend her feast passed into the Sarum Missal and has it that the three children were killed along no fewer than 23 ancient English churches with their mother Sophie (or Wisdom). In all were consecrated in her name. She maintained probability, his legend originated as a story her place in the Anglican Calendar because about a family of martyrs buried on either the she was widely popularized by the Norman Aurelian or the Appian Way. The family is invaders. One of the most famous altars is in duplicated in the Eastern orthodox church, but her chapel in Westminister Abbey, which is there is no good evidence that these martyrs reserved for private prayer, and is noted for had any but a legendary existence. its early wall-paintings. The Farrington Ward Saint Faith, however, appears as Saint Fides, Within Church of Saint Faith in London was a 3rd century virgin martyr in the Martyrology pulled down in 1240 to make room for the of Jerome, which records her death at Agen choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, but a chaple in in Aquitaine (then Gaul), so it is likely that the crypt of the Cathedral was then dedicated she really did exist. Disentangled from her to her. Acts of Saint Faith have inspired artisits mythical family, the diffusion of her cult in. to represent her with a sword or a bundle of Spain, France, and England, during the Middle rods as her emblem. Her feast day is October Ages was extraordinary. She is said to have 6th. St. Faith's intercession has been invoked suffered for the faith at Agen under Maximian for centuries by soldiers, prisoner and pil- Hercules and the procurator Dacian, and was gnms. roasted on a brazier, and then beheaded, along To Be Continued with Saint Caprasius. The Bishop of Agen, Editor s note: This series by Lois Lunsford Dulcidus, in the 5th century translated her rel- Corbin originally appeared in The Nuncio, the ics to a basilica which he had built in honor official publication of the International Guild of SS Faith and Caprasius, and many miracles of Vatican Philatelists (lGVP). It appeared in were attributed to her Shrine. In about 855, the late 1981 and early 1982 issues. It is re- her relics were moved to the Abby of Conques, published in Vatican Notes at this time for the France, where there still stands one of the most information and enjoyment it can bring our beautiful religious monuments in the south of members. Lois has been a member of the Vati- France. SaintepFoy-deOConques (see France can Philatelic Society for many years.

VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 Page 7 MAIL AUCTION SALE #128 • . VATICAN PHILATELIC SOCIETY AUCTION NOTE: Closing Date March 31, 2000 .••..~ '------Rev. Charles Tuttle, Auctioneer TERMS OF SALE Lot Cat. De8crlptlon Minimum Lot Cat. De.cription Minimum 1. Alllob .old to hlgh•• t bldd.r at on. raJ•• oIIov. tho •• cond BidU.S.$ No. No. BldU.S.$ hlth.st bldd.r. Bid Inc•• m.nt 28 c.nts und.r $10.00 and No. No. $1.00on loti or bid. 0' '10.00 or mor•. -----ROMAN STATES-Bolaffi number.----- 40 Stamp Club Book atamp., A 6.00 2. Allbid. In U.'. Oolla... Bid. 'or altomatlv. loti cannot b. ace.ptld. 'urcha •• limitwtll b. r•• p.otIeI. MInImum1I1e1. ------STAIwIPS------41 Stamp Club Book o1amp., F 7.00 IMII)••• lo_st bid aec.p~eI 'or lot. 4c • 112 Ba]. gryah lilac, OG fault. F 24.00 -----ORNAMENTAL CORNER BLOCKS----· 3.• qual bid. wtllb. con.ld ••• elln tho ord.r 0' r.c.lpt. 1 4. lll. rtght I••••• rv.eI to wtthelrawany loti prtor to tho 2 5b' 1 Bal, gray green, OG fault. Vf 20.00 42 156-57 •• (blk of 5) 60.00 elo.lng elat•. I. The catalolue numb_" are from Icott unl••• otherwt •• 3 7b II • 1 Ba], gry.h bl grn, NG (pin 8.00 43 2UI-22 •• (blk of 5) 25.00 no~eI. Numb.r. ..parat.eI by a duh (1-8) Inellca~ a ------POSTAL CAROS------compl.~ •• rt... Numb... ..para~d by a .Iuh (111) hole thin), VF IndlcltO" ••t anellast stamp Of an Incompl.~ •• rt... Itoman 4 11b • 3 Ba], ehamele, OG, fault., F- 48.00 44 19117B!5OL(4) •• (01•. 15th Cent) 3.50 Itat •• a•• 1I0iamcstalogu. numb.r •. •. Arrtlot Inco••• ctIyeI•• crtb.d I. r.tumabl. wtthlnthr•• daye 5 14 • 3 Bal, chrome yel, OG VF-S 24.00 45 1097 850L (4) FOC (Oi•. 15th Cent) 4.00 of rec.lpt. How.v.r, loti anel coll.ctlon. 0' ~n or mora ------VIEVtI CAROS------stamp. andlor loti 0' und•• crtb.d stamp. are not 6 16 • 4 Bal, light straw yellow. OG, V 64.00 r.tumabl. 'or any •• uon. 7 17' 4 Bal, yellow, OG, S 64.00 (Picture card with cancelled stamp(.») 7. Submit blel. on tho auction bid .h •• t or a r••• onabl. 'ac.lmll •. Inolud. your Y.' .•. m.mb••• hlp numbor. 8 23a • 8 Bal, white NG. (6 line.), S 32.00 46 B23 (illon 3 card. of .ite. of Rome 3.00 •. Involo•• wtllb••• nt wtthln "v. days 0' Auctlon" elo.lng and lob 'orwarel.d upon r.c.lpt 0' all paym.nts. 'aym.nt In 9 3b 0 112 Ba], ro •• lllac, thin paper. 225.00 ------VATICAN MAXIMUM CAROS------U.'. Oolla•• only. '1•••• walt until at I.ut 40 elay. tr.m Horizontal atrlp of thr ••. Line. all ------(NOT First Day Cancel)------clo•• Of Auction to Inqul•• about your .hlpm.nt. PI.a •• make prompt paym.nt Of your Involc., a. thl. wtll.p •• d up around, double line. in part. Completa 47 156 (15.11.53), F 4.00 tho malllno0' loti to alltho bldd•••. a. Allpostag., In.uranc. andlor r.glatratlon wtllb. add.d to gutter at left. S 48 157,F 5.00 each Invoice. 10 7a (Sa'lOne) 6 Ba], gray Iillac 75.00 49 175 (5.10.54), VF 4.50 10. lll. placing 0' a blel .hall conltltuto acc.ptanc •• , tho 'or.golno conelltlon. 0' thl•• a1•. 11 11b 0 3 Ba], chamoi., med. paper V 20.00 50 180 (22.12.54), VF 2.50 - . N.v.r Hlng.d A • Av.rag. (p.m toucMn d•• lon) •• Unu•• eI F • Fin. (p.m ol•• r eI•• lgn) 12 17b 0 4 Baj, brt. yellow, med. paper 25.00 51 207 (27.6.56), (hr) F 3.00 o - U•• eI VF. very Fin. (p•• mlumquall1yl 23a 0 8 Bal. whlta, medium paper 4.00 52 212 (21.8.56), F 2.50 Ul .lIoht hinging •. aup.'" (p.mot o.ntsrtno) 13 HH. h.avy hln",no Hit• hlng••• manta (cut into design on left) 53 220, 229, 230, 235 (4 card.), F 2.50 Faultt • no1normallynotlc.abl. fromtront 0' stamp o.,.cta • minorand notlo.abl. from'ac. Of .tamp 14 23b 0 8 Bal, brownlah white. medlul 25.00 54 227 (11.11.57) glued to a card 2.50 FIII.r• elamaao,but "". tho .,ao. NO-NoOum paper, 6 line •. S 55 239 (3.10.58) glued to a card 2.00 15 30b 0 5 cent, blue. VF 80.00 56 E11 on photo maxi card of •• me, Vf 5.00 MAIL BID SHEET 16 33b 0 40 cent, yellow, S (.gn Oiena) 80.00 ------(WITH Firat Day Cancel)------17 34a 0 80 cent, Iii ro•• (pos. 48), VF 140.00 57 1811-91 27.00 AUCTION SALE #128 ------COVERS------58 292-94 (2), VF 3.50 Closing Date March 31. 2000 ...•.....•...... ••.•...... •...... •. 50 298-300 (3) G.S. VF 3.50 55.00 60 301-03, VF 3.00 Rev. Charles Tuttle 18 10b, 2 Baj, greeni.h Ivory. 1865. Monte Rotondo to Rome. On front: Monte 61 313-16 (2) G.S. VF 3.50 P.O. Box 189 COS (Burg. VIIon o1amp) 16JNOVI65. On 62 43Q~ (6) G.S. F-VF 1.50 Breese,IL 62230 back: Rome CDS 16JNOVI65. VF 83 461-63 (3) G.S. F-VF 1.00 ••I.... purchu. for m. the following lots lit or 19 10d, 2 Bal, Ivory. 1867. Rome(?) to 34.00 M 464-66 (1) G.S. F-VF 1.00 und.r the limits stlIted, and In .ccordance with the 6S 470-72 (1) G.S. F-VF 1.00 condmons of sal. l.s Indicated abovel. Pro •• edl. Rome(?) grill. Rome-Ceprano (Plea'. PrInt) CDS: 5 pt., 26/JUNI87. F 66 500-03 (2) G.S. F-VF NAME 20 11b. 3 Bal, chamola. 1857. Camerln 70.00 67 504-08 (5) G.S. F-VF 2.00 STREET to Macerata. Camerino COS 21/JUN157 & 68 509-12 (4) G.S. F-VF 1.00 CITY grill. Macerata COS 23/JUN157. (Cover 6G 518-20 (3) G.S. F-VF 6.50 STATE ZIP front & half beck only). 70 531-33 (3) G.S. F-VF 1.00 v .••.•.Membership Number ____ -----VATICAN CITY STATE~Scott No •. ----- 71 534-36 (3) G.S. F-VF 1.00 - check here If thl. I•• n_ address ------VATICAN STAMPS------72 555-57 (3) G.S. F-FV 1.00 _ check her. If you de.lr. to limit purcha.e 21 54 •• (gutter block of 4) wI margin 47.50 13 558-60 (3) G.S. F-VF 1.50 LImitS 22 91-98, E5-6 • (.1I9ht hinge mark. 1.00 74 6Q4-704 (11) KIM VF-S 11.00 Lot Numb.r lid Lot Number Bid & lOme off canter) 75 731-48 (12) KIM VF-S 24.00 23 129 •• F 22.50 76 m-78 (2) G.S. VF 9.00 24 145-148 • A 11.00 77 C37I39 (3) G.S. VF 8.00 25 2428 •• damage to bottom left corn. 5.00 78 C35-44 (5) G.S. VF 10.00 26 242& • F 12.00 79 C47-52 (3) G.S. VF 3.00 27 317-22 • VF 1.50 80 C53-54 (1) G.S. F-VF 4.75 28 685-86 •• full pane., VF/S 35.00 81 C55-58 (4) G.S. VF 6.00 29 944-45 •• full pane of 10 pair VF 12.00 82 C60-62(3)G.S.VF-S 10.00 30 C9-15 • F-VF 15.00 B3 C63-65 (3) G.S. VF-S 10.00 31 C24-32'; C33-4, C35-44, C45-6 •• 10.50 84 C66-72 (7) KIM VF-S 25.00 F-VF ------VATICAN FIRST DAY COVERS------32 J2a •• (light pencilling on gum) F-\ 350.00 as 1-13, E1-2 on Off. Vatican Commer 95.00 33 510 14.50 .heet 2714, .lIght toning and a fold 34 1890 7.50 wich doesn't effect stamp. (Individual 35 738-910 S 5.50 can cal.) FNF 36 C190 F 50.00 86 61-67 on FoC .heetlet F-VF 25.00 slgrNltURI: 37 C590S 3.00 87 149-63 add. reg. w\b .e., cachet, VF 75.00 38 C63-650 F-VF 5.00 88 182-84 unaddr., Primo cachet 15.00 Phone number ( ) - 39 1983 Vatlcano 1.t annual yrbk, S 180.00 89 233-38 unaddr. (on 2), cachet VF 3.00 Lot Cat. Deacrlptlon Minimum Lot Cat. Deacrlptlon Minimum Lot Cat. Description Minimum No. No. BldU.S.$ No. No. BldU.S.$ No. No. Bid U.S.$ IlO 2!56~1 uadr, (2) Primo Glorno each 4.00 133 645-47 (1) VENETIA cachet, VF 1.00 181 J1-6 (27-3-39) VF 200.00 g1 247-4g unad., ECCLESIA cachet Vf 3.00 134 652-53 (2) G.S. (allk) F-VF 2.00 ------SPECIAL EVENT COVERS------g:z 26Q-72 end 273-74 addr. reg. 5.00 135 654-56 (3) G.S. (silk) F-VF 4.00 182 1958 Vat. #247-494 covers each tie 18.00 113 :zg(J-3OOunad., cachet wIred cance 7.00 136 664-67 (4) G.S. (ailk) F-VF 2.00 with set and a Vat. cancel marking each Q4 301-3 unaddr, G.S. cachet, F 2.50 137 668-72 (2) VENETIA cach.t, VF 1.00 dey of the conclave, Oct. 25-28, unaddr. 95 304-011unaddr, FILAGRANO cache' 3.00 138 681-84 (4) G.S. (silk) F-VF 4.00 with eaehet, VF/S (l8 310-312 unaddr, G.S. cachet, F 3.00 139 6Q4-704 (6) G.S. (allk) VF 19.00 183 1962 Opening of Vat II 4 •• me cov.' 4.00 g7 330-34 and 335-37 addr. reg. C

Jumble: Answers AUCTION RESULTS from last issue AUCTION #127 BIDDING RESULTS: 15 Bidders 1. HOLY YEAR made 39 bids of which 14 made 31 successful bids. The following lots were realized at minimum bid: 2. CHRISTMAS 1 3 5-6 12 19-203744-5 58-9 83 97 101 104 126 132 145 172 178 196217 and 228. 3. MARIAN YEAR The following lots received more than one bid and went to the highest bidder at one rise above the 2nd 4. PENTECOST highest bid: 13($41) 17($47) 18($37) 34($27) The most important of all Christian celebrations: 35($39) and 48($12). Easter The following recieved a tied bid with lot going to first bid received: 244($140). Hope you find this information helpful in future Auc- tions. Thank you for your participation in the v.P.S. Auction. Auetion #127 had a total of $1144.50 in successful bids.

Don Black Vatican Stamps Suite 402 405 Tarrytown Road White Plains NY 10607 Visit us on the web at www.donblack.com Major Credit Cards Accepted

Page 10 VATICAN NOTES - January, 20GO Cancellation honoring the Pope's visit to Poland on June 5 to 17, 1999. The cancellation reads: "Pope John Paul IT makes his Seventh Journey to Poland." "God is Love - John Paul IT in Poland."

Cancellation marking Vatican participation in the stamp exhibition th PHILEXFRANCE 99 in Paris from June 2 to 11 ,

Cancellation marking Vatican participation in the stamp exhibition th SAN MARINO 1999 held on June 4 to 6 ,

Cancellation marking Vatican participation in the International Stamp Exhibition CHINA 1999 - World Philatelic Exhibition

th held in Beijing from August 21 to 30 ,

Cancellation marking Vatican participation in the stamp exhibition th RICCIONE '99 held on August 27 to 29 . ZEPPELIN POST

ITALIAN FLIGHT * SECOND FLIGHT TO SOUTH AMERICA 1933. DROP OVER BARCELONA, SPAIN • Covers direct from Rome to Barcelona received the Italian cachet and no other. From the collection of Rev. Edward A. Mullowney, SSJ

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t'M" •..~ .'~. NEW ISSUE OPENING OF THE HOLY DOOR By Thomas Crimando On Christmas Eve, Pope John Paul II opened the Holy of Peter's temple, to adorn the Vatican Basilica with Door in St. Peter's Basilica and thereby formally be- the bronze leafs of this Holy Door." On Christmas Eve gan the Jubilee Year of 2000. One month before, on of 1949, a few years after the end ofWorld War II, Pius November 24, the Vatican issued a series of eight XII blessed and opened the new door, then crossed it stamps and a souvenir sheet to commemorate this mo- invoking God's mercy on mankind. In 1975 it was Paul mentous event. VI's turn to open the Door ofthe Jubilee, which, in the The stamps are horizontal, measuring 28.56 x 39.23 spirit of the Second Vatican Council, focused in indi- mm., and have a perforation of 12 x 11 -4. They were vidual and Church renewal. On the occasion ofthe Ex- issued in sheets of 20. At the top of each stamp is the traordinary Holy Year of the Redemption -1983 - 84), inscription ANNO SANTO DEL 2000 and the value; it was John Paul II who commemorated Christ's mis- along the bottom are the Papal Tiara and Crossed Keys sion of salvation. as well as the words CITTA DEL VATICANO. Each On Christmas Eve of 1999, the Pope knocked three ofthe stamps reproduces two ofthe Biblical episodes times on the Holy Door, which was then opened. The depicted in the Holy Door: Pope then became the first to pass through the Door, 200 Lire - The Cherubim at the Door of Paradise and followed by the President of the Italian Republic and the Banishment From the Garden ofEden; the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order 300 Lire - The Annunciation and the Angel; ofMalta. This event marked the solemn entrance ofthe 400 Lire - The Baptism of Christ and the Straying Church into the Third Millennium in the footsteps of Sheep; Christ and His Successors. The inscription on the right 500 Lire - The MercifUl Father and the Cure of a Para leaf reminds us of the meaning of the Holy Door; lyzed Man; "Hence may come abundant sources of divine grace to 600 Lire - The Penitent Woman and the Obligation to purif) the soul of all those who cross it, bless them with Forgive; divine peace and grant them Christian Virtues. Holy 800 Lire - Peter's Denial and a Thiefin Paradise; 1,000 Year 1950." Lire - Jesus appears to Thomas and Jesus ap pears to the Eleven; 1,200 Lire - Jesus appears to Saul and the Opening ofthe Holy Door. The souvenir sheet, which measures 106 x 142 mm., includes one of each stamp and reproduces the entire Holy Door. The sheet features the inscriptions ANNO SANTO DEL 2000 -APERTURA DELLA PORTA SANTA at the top, and CITTA DEL VATICANO BA- SILICA DI SAN PIETRO - 24 DECEMBRE 1999 at the bottom. The stamps and souvenir sheets were printed by rotogravure by Helio Courvoisier S.A. of Switzerland. The total printing was 450,000 complete series of stamps and 200,000 souvenir sheets. The Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica is one of the four Holy Doors through which the faithful will pass to ob- tain the extraordinary indulgence granted on the occa- sion ofthe Jubilee year of 2000. The other three doors are located in the other three principal Basilicas ofRome: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. The current bronze door in St. Peter's Basilica is relatively new. The inscription on its left leaf states-'Pius XII Supreme Pontiff on the eve of the Holy Year 1950 commanded Ludovico Kaas, curator

VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 Page 11

Vatican City Year Sets

Mint 1996 $34.68 1998 w/booklet $38.67 Earthquake sis w/folder $25.00 1997 w/booklet $41.73 1997 $36.33 1996 $37.29 1995 $38.00

Please add 3% for shipping. Complete 11 page Pricelist available.

Penny Black Stamp Company P. O. Box 26821 Shawnee Mission, KS 66225-6821 e-mail = [email protected] phone and fax = (913) 681-9283

VATICAN NOTES - January, 2000 Page 13 V4 TI£A~ CIT~ a:VI:~"'-().,., C4~CI:LlA TI()~S

by: NUl Rundqvilit, KarlIitad, Sweden

VII/3'3 r=rOSiEvimA11F Meter from Pontificio Opera Per La Praservazione Della Fede E La I' ~I Provvista Dl Nueva Chiese In Roma , ".•.•..... ~ 02550 a (Papal work for the m.intenQnce of lit •• H...••••••••••• ", •• n•• ••• __ t•• _ •••• the faith and the new church in -- Rome). Only this cancel known. P051£ VATlCANl:. VII/40 Mater from 8ibliotec& 0600t~ Apostolica Vaticana. ~ Only this cancel known.

•... 'OST£"'V;;~ VII/41 •i?-ti.!r. M.t.r from Ponti~ici. ~~ W 0600 WI Commissione Migrazioni E Turismo (Papal Commission fONT.FICIA COHHISSInNI III = 1111 for emigration and to~rlsm) .•...... •••~ HIGiA&IO'U .' TV.IIHO _ Only this c_nc~l k~ow~.

rOSIE fAlitANE B fj VII/42 Two meters from Pontificio Comitato Oi Scienze 5to- ~: 00600 IU riche (Papal committee for historical science), Only these cancels known, PONllFICIO VII/42 Rec.use: 11.3.83-31.7.97

VII 142a V11/42 a Rec.use: 10.2.87-7.3.'37

, '051£••• \'ATICAHfw ••• ···m fl· M VII/43 Meter f r-om L'Osservatore Romano. ~'10 0 0 0 0 : ~!'I Only this cancel known. E..I ~'.~I If ~' •• I 1wu w .~ VI1/43 Rec.use: 2.1.88-13.12.'34 L' OSSERVATORE ROMANO