Stamps of the Kingdom of Italy

by Tony Clayton

Overprinted Definitive Issues.

The Parmeggiani Definitive Issues <<-- : -->> The Garibaldi issue of 1910

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As postage rates changed and stamps became redundant, it made sense in a poor economy, such as the Italian, to use up surplus stocks of unwanted denominations by overprinting them. Here are some examples.

1878 2c on Former Official Stamps

When the use of Official stamps was discontinued all eight values were overprinted 2c as this was the most common rate in use. Both overprint and stamp come with two distinct shades for each denomination. Inverted overprints are rare.

2c on 10 Lire Sassone 36	2c on 20c, inverted overprint Sassone 31b Image courtesy of the Italy & Colonies Study Circle.
2c on 1.00 lire, inverted overprint Sassone 33b This overprint is almost certainly a forgery	2c on 2.00 lire, inverted overprint Sassone 34b Another forgery

1865 20c on 15c Issue

When the basic letter postage rate went up from 15c to 20c in 1865, the 15c stamps were overprinted with a horseshoe style design

20c on 15c type 3 - 12 dots Sassone 25

Further information on the three varieties of this stamp can be seen here

1905 15c on 20c Issue

The basic letter postage rate went back down to 15c in 1905. Early overprintings are blurred - later ones are sharp.

C. 15 on 20c orange, issued 1st September 1905 Sassone 79

15 C. error on 20c orange Fake overprint - the 15 is wrong and the stop round instead of square Sassone 79d

1916 20c on 15c Issue

The basic letter postage rate went back up again eleven years later. This stamp is also known additionally overprinted for use in Italian PO's and the Aegean Islands.

CENT. 20 on 15c grey-black, issued 8th January 1916 Sassone 106

CENT. 20 on 15c grey-black, overprint inverted Sassone 106a

7½c Overprint on 85c

On 1st January 1924 the rate for printed matter sent direct from the publishers was raised from 1c to 7½c. The 85c had been for insured letters but the tariff had been short-lived.

In October 1927 a modified overprint was used, which is much scarcer than Type I, and particularly elusive used..

Cent.7½ on 85c red-brown Left: Type I. Right: Type II Sassone 135 and 136

Cent.7½ on 85c red-brown Overprint both offset and displaced Sassone 135ab

10c Overprint on 1c

The 1c was overprinted 10c and first issued in 1923, in anticipation of the decline in use of the 1c for the rate for printed matter sent direct from the publishers.

Inverted overprints are not too uncommon.

10 CENTESIMI on 1c brown Left: normal. Right: inverted overprint Sassone 137 and 137a

50c Overprint on 40c

The 40c was overprinted 50c and first issued in 1923.

Here there are two interesting varieties.

'Cent.50' on 40c brown Overprint displaced vertically and horizonatally Sassone 139h (horizontal shift mentioned in footnote)

'Cent.50' on 40c brown Unusual error in the left stamp. Unlisted, so is probably transient Sassone 139

25c Overprint on 60c

In 1921 the foreign letter rate was raised to 60c. By the time the 60c stamp was issued in 1923 the rate had risen further. In addition it was the same colour as the current 25c of the same design. Overprinting it 25c made sense!

Used examples of the 60c without overprint are scarce.

Cent.25 on 60c blue Left: Type I, thick long bars. Right: Type II, thin short bars Sassone 178 and 179

Sometimes the overprint can be found severely displaced

Overprint displaced both vertically and horizontally Sassone 178h

The Parmeggiani Definitive Issues <<-- : -->> The Garibaldi issue of 1910
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