“Philately and Postal history 2009″

We’re all ready now for the “International Philately Festival” at which Zanaria will present its new, much-awaited net price sale catalogue.

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The tricolour on Sicilia

One and a half centuries after their issue, the stamps of Sicily still arouse plenty of interest. As was clear at the recent fair in Palermo, which Zanaria took part in… (more…)

Before first day covers came into fashion

Two examples of the 1 centesimo “Floreale” on a photographic postcard sent from Rome to Recanati on 1st July 1901: the day on which the first series from Vittorio Emanuele III’s reign made its debut, designed in the then-fashionable “Liberty” style. (more…)

An historic octagon

Two versions were produced between 1852 and 1859, in addition to which there were the postage-due labels which were issued in 1853. This makes up the collection of thirteen pieces representing the Duchy which, under the name of Parma, included Piacenza and part of Lunigiana too (which came under the “etcetera” printed on the last series to be issued).

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New stamps for the Far East

The new stamps only appeared between September and November 1917. They were devised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for staff in the Legation and at the Consulate, for military personnel and the crews of Italian ships. There were ten of them overall, overprinted, and designed by Nestore Leoni and Francesco Paolo Michetti. They were intended for use at the Post Offices of Peking and Tientsin.
After the Boxer Rising in 1900, Italy obtained territorial concessions in the Far East.

This was the upshot of the crisis which began in March 1899 when the Chinese government refused to accept the orders coming from abroad and refused to cede territories to Rome. (more…)