Postage Stamps of Italian Colonies

by Tony Clayton

Libya

Istria and the Slovene Coast <<-- : -->> Tripoli Fair Issues

Main Index

First Set of Libya, 1912

The two most difficult stamps of the initial 1912 set to find in mint condition are the 15 centesimi and the 5 lire.

The 15 centesimi comes with both violet and a very much scarcer blue-black overprint. The example shown sadly has the violet overprint; only seven mint examples of the blue-black are known!

15 Centesimi Sassone 5.

The 5 lire, in common with several other denominations, comes with two types of the Libia overprint. The main differences are in the dots over the i's (Type 1 has them central, Type 2 slightly left) and the inside of the a (Type 1 is small and almost round, Type 2 is larger and elongated).

5 lire, Type 1 Sassone 11.

These two copies of the 10 centesimi show the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 overprints.

10c, Type 1 Sassone 4.

10c, Type 2 Sassone 4/I.

Details of the overprints, showing the two types (I on top, II below) The shape of the a, the top of the L and the hole in the b are actually better characters to look at.

Red Cross Issue, 1915-16

These stamps were issued during the First World War and carried a 5 centesimi premium for the Red Cross. The first two stamps, 10c+5c and 15c+5c, were issued in December 1915. When the postage rates went up to 20c in March 1916 the 15c was overprinted 20, while a new 20c+5c value was also issued at the same time.

Red Cross Issue Top row: Sassone 13 and 14. Bottom row: Sassone 15 and 16.

Two values are found with the scarce low overprint variety Sassone 13c and 16c.

Pictorial Definitives of 1921

The Pictorial Definitives come with a wide range of perforation varieties, and also both with and without watermark.

The first issue had sideways crown watermark and perforation between 13½ and 14, or 14x13¼ from different parts of the same sheet.

15c brown and orange with inverted centre Sassone 25c and 25.

Victory Issue of 1922

In common with all the overprinted Italian Victory issues, not just for Libya but also Italy, Eritrea and Somalia, the bulk were comb perforated by a comb which gave two distinct perforations on the sheet, perforation 14 and the slightly scarcer perforation 14x13.25.

In addition some values are to be found which have been line perforated 13.5; these are very much rarer and their acquisition requires careful hunting amongst dealers' stocks.

Perf 14 Sassone 35.

Perf 14x13.25 Sassone 35l.

Line Perf 13.5 Sassone 35k.

Parcel Stamps of 1927 to 1937

The scarcest parcel stamps with the fasces in the centre are the 20 lire, 10 lire and 50 centesimi. Complete sheets of these values will be of the highest rarity.

Right-hand half of a complete sheet of the 50 centesimi orange Sassone 17.

Pair 37 on each sheet of this issue has a faulty A on the left half Sassone 17 (note).

Express Stamps

Overprinted Italian Stamps

25c Express, Type I overprint Sassone 1.

30c Express, Type II overprint Sassone 2/I.

60c on 25c Express Sassone 5.

1.60 lire on 30c Express Sassone 6.

Italian Colonial Design

This classic design was used by several of the Italian colonies. Rate and perforation changes give a number of varieties.

Express 1.25 Lire on 60c, Perf 14 From a complete sheet. Lower stamp: Position 36; bottom bar at left short Sassone 17 and 17b.

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