stampguyusa
Member 
Inactive
State Revenue Society Member #1119
Posts: 69
What I collect: Worldwide, USA used until self-adhestives, specialize in India
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Post by stampguyusa on Aug 14, 2018 11:43:54 GMT
I am redoing my Vatican City collection, and I ran across the souvenir card from many years ago. Has anyone seen this type of card or know anything about it? I had this card since I was a young collector days many decades ago.
Thanks! Jim (stampguyusa)
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Post by jimwentzell on Aug 15, 2018 1:11:10 GMT
Hi Jim! You have a souvenir likely sold in Rome or at Vatican City (entirely within Rome), I recall seeing a few over the years. I have one from 1937; it also depicts "Stamps from the State of Vatican City." It apparently was priced at eight lire. According to Google, eight Italian lire was worth between 33 and 40 US cents at the time. Depression-era, that was a sizable chunk of change, especially as the "face value" of the stamps on my card only totaled IL 3.20!  There is a post office right off St. Peter's Square which sells stamps and related souvenirs, mostly to collectors. In 1982 I recall picking up a similar stamped card with fairly recent issues from a mobile post office which was set up in the middle of the massive square. This thread might attract other such souvenirs of the Vatican, let's see if any more pop up! From one Jim to another, keep on stamping!!! --Jim Wentzell stampguyaps177-681 |
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Post by jimwentzell on Aug 15, 2018 1:18:59 GMT
I might add that although your card was "cancelled" late in 1944 it possibly was being sold in Rome or Vatican, with the hope that the US or other Allied soldiers which occupied Italy at the time and afterwards would spend some of their money.
In late 1944 and for several years afterwards Europe was in dire straights economically and the few cents a GI or other American might spend on stamps was a welcome economic opportunity. Maybe someone from Scott Publishing Company (noted on the bottom of your card) had these cards printed and they may have been marketed in other places, even through approval companies and the like back home ("stateside").
Just my theory,
--Jim
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stampguyusa
Member
Inactive
State Revenue Society Member #1119
Posts: 69
What I collect: Worldwide, USA used until self-adhestives, specialize in India
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Post by stampguyusa on Aug 15, 2018 5:59:42 GMT
Thanks for the interesting comments Jim. I did notice the reference to Scott, but didn't think they had anything to do with it, otherwise, it would have said so. Scott never missed a chance for some exposure. I have had two of the cards like the one shown, but I traded one away years ago. I believe I have had this card since the late 1950s or early 1960s. I started collecting when I was 8 years old, and accumulated a surprising number of stamps. Thanks for your reply and scan!
Jim (stampguyusa)
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