Popular Ancient Spots in Rome, Italy thru Vintage Postcards

Popular landmarks in Rome was a favorite theme in many vintage or old postcards issued in Italy. The postcards had a peculiar way of affixing the stamp. The stamp is usually posted at the face of the postcard rather than the back. portion.

Popular Tourists Spot in Rome and Vatican

The postcard seller posted 4-cartes postales anciennes, old-postcards-ITALIE – The first set of landmarks includes includes Tomb of Caecilia Metella, Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square, Forum of Trajan and Colosseum used to be retailed at 3.95 Euro but was on sale for 2.77 Euro ( Php 160.21). The first set was probably issued between 1910 to 1920’s.

The popular landmarks are also some of the ancient landmarks which dates back during the middle or late Roman empire. Some of which are at least hundreds or even at thousand of years -old.

L-R top view Saint Peter’s Basilica and Arch of Titus, Below (L-R) Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain with stamp in front view ( timbre cote vue)

second lot includes Saint Peter Basilica, Arch of Titus, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain the first set of postcard was on sale for 2.77 Euro about (Php 160.21) but used to be retailed at 3.95 Euro, there was a 29% off on these set of postcard. the shipping is standard Euro 1.75 or about ( Php 101.21) the second set was issued between 1911’s to 1920’s.

(TVC) Timbre Cote Vue

“Timbre Cote Vue” shorter abbreviation for is TVC is a French term for where the stamp then the cancel were placed on the face or picture side of a postcard. The message from the sender is also written on the front of this card and it is dated on the back by the sender.

L-R Santa Maria de Cosmedia, Spanish Steps ( Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) Rome, Saint Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City) and La fontana delle Naiadi . All the four postcards have 5 and 10 centisimi definitive stamp posted from Italy. The stamp were posted in front view.

Lot number 3 originally for sale at 3.95 Euros, but was marked down for just 2.77 Euros ( Php 160.21) with 29% discount. The postcards and stamps are dated between 1910 to early 1920’s. The postcards are between 100 to 110 years-old. Considering the big discount, We lost no time to contact the seller and bought the three lots.

This fad is not just in Europe but also in many parts of the world. In the Philippines, This was the practice by some postal authorities and postcard senders in the late 19th to mid 20th century. A sample timbre cote vue is the Puerta Real postcard featured several months ago.

References, Sources and Bibliographies:

Italy Stamps from 1900 to 1909 Stamp World

Stanley Gibbons- Italy Stamps

Scott’s Publishing Company Catalog- Italy

Further Readings and Related Links:

American Regime Manila thru postcards (part 1)

American Regime Manila thru postcards ( part 2)

American Regime Manila thru postcards (part 3)

American Regime Manila thru postcards ( part 4 )

Chicago Postcard Museum

Herpin, Georges. “Bapteme” in Le Collectionneur de Timbres-Postes, Vol.I, 15 November 1864, p.20.

Sutton, R.J. & K.W. Anthony. The Stamp Collector’s Encyclopaedia. 6th edition. London: Stanley Paul, 1966.

Patrick, Douglas & Mary. The Hodder Stamp Dictionary, Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1973, p.261. ISBN 0-340-17183-9.

Philippine Postcards page 130 to 137 Consuming Passions

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Vintage Pope John Paul 2 postcards from Vatican and Rome

There was a big sale few weeks ago by an online seller from France. The seller also sells vintage postcards, stamps, coin, banknotes, photos and first day covers.

The postcards were thematic and featured then Pope John Paul 2 in the early 1983 to mid- 1980’s, mostly issued in Rome, Italy and Vatican City. These types of postcards were commonly sold to pilgrims, tourists, collectors of stamp ( philatelists) and postcards (deltiologists) who collect these types of thematic collection.

( This postcard lot initially cost 3.95 Euro had a marked down price of 2.77 Euro during the flash sale)

Technically, all the postcards were about 37 years-old and are highly collectible items. Thousands of these postcards were printed in many parts of the globe. This marked a long 26 year term from October 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005.

Vintage Pope John Paul 2 Postcards from Vatican and Rome, Italy

( one of the postcard depict Pope John Paul 2 with Vatican Papal seal )

Pope John Paul 2 postcards were sold per lot of 4 pieces – each lot initially cost Euro 3.95 , During the big sale, The lots were sold at Euro 2.77 or almost 30% discount , all the three lot cost only Euro 8.31 excluding shipping.

The three lot cost about Php 480.15 based on April 1, 2021 rate. This is also one way to commemorate his 16th death anniversary.

Pope John Paul 2 postcards dated 1983 ( Pope John Paul 2 upper left side a repeat postcard from the second lot)

According to a fellow deltiologist, Pope John Paul 2 postcards are highly collectible theme and the retail price of the postcard had risen by at least 3 to 5 times over the time.

Valentine’s day on stamp

Today marked  Valentine’s  Day , While everyone is busy sending messages of love and gifts. The Philippine Postal Corporation issued a set of stamp celebrate Valentine’s Day this February 14.

According to popular church tradition, St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270 AD. At the time the Roman Emperor Claudius II issued an edict forbidding marriage. When Claudius II became the emperor, he thought that he can make good soldiers. So, to assure good soldiers, he banned marriage.

St. Valentine saw the trauma of young lovers, so he met them in a secret place and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned this and arrested Valentine and executed him on February 24, 270.

the custom of sending greeting cards or gifts to express affection to a chosen partner. The cards – valentines – are generally sent anonymously and are often designed with hearts to symbolize love.

Another theory by historian  derived  from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalis (February 15).  Originally a festival for shepherds, it was celebrated in honor of Faunus.  Its primary purpose was to secure fertility for the fields, the flocks, and the shepherds themselves.

But the tradition of   calling oneself a “valentine” and asking ones beloved to be the same, was  referred to in the Paston Letters, the largest surviving collection of 15th-century English correspondence written by the Paston family and their neighbours in Norfolk.

Valentine’s Day 2010 stamp

The U.S. Postal Service has issued Love stamps for Saint Valentine’s Day  annually since the 1973 issue  which was designed by  Mr. Robert Indiana . The first issue was an 8 cents stamp with a printing production of 320 million stamps.

Several countries have issued love  stamps for Saint Valentine’s Day, such as Belgium, France, Philippines,  Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Collectors will often try to collect covers  from romantically named towns. Perhaps the most well known, servicing more than 200,000 each year around Valentine’s Day, is Loveland, USA.

The Philippines started to issue Valentine day stamps on February 9, 1996 .

1996, February 9. Greetings Stamps. Series 5. Happy Valentine’s Day. Stamps inscribed “Happy Valentine”.

• 2p Love Birds.
• 6p Cupid.
• 7p Chocolates.
• 8p Roses.

Postal patrons can avail themselves of the flowers and chocolates that the mailman will deliver for them or to their loved ones. The special limited edition of Valentine’s Day stamps to be issued by PhilPost, Filipinos can definitely relate with their love ones through love letters.

Valentine’s Day message in different languages

“Despite  modern technology, such as the use of (text messaging), it is still different when love is expressed through the sending of flowers, chocolates and Valentine’s cards,” according to one of the Philpost employees.

Come what may, romance will never be lost to Filipino . As long as there are people falling in love, love letters will always be written, cherished and enjoyed forever by the grateful recipient.

These cards and letters sent through mail, are most of the time kept through the years for sentimental reasons.