Italian Aegean Island stamps year 1912 Italian Stamps Overprinted “Simi” MNH (**)
Italian Aegean Island Stamps (1912) Overprinted “Simi”
Background
In 1912, following the Italo-Turkish War, Italy occupied the Dodecanese Islands in the Aegean Sea. Shortly after, Italian stamps were overprinted with the names of individual islands for use as local postage. Simi (also spelled Symi), one of these islands, received its own set of overprinted stamps.
The 1912 “Simi” Overprints
On December 1, 1912, a definitive set of Italian stamps was issued for Simi, overprinted with the island’s name. This was part of a coordinated issue for all 13 occupied islands, each receiving a similar set with their respective names.
Set Details
- Number of stamps: 7 values
- Denominations: 2c, 5c, 10c, 15c, 25c, 40c, 50c (centesimi)
- Colors and Types:
- 2c orange brown
- 5c green
- 10c brownish rose
- 15c slate-grey
- 25c blue
- 40c brown
- 50c light violet
- Perforation: 14¼ (typical for the overprinted issues)5
- Printing: Typography
- Watermark: None for the 1912 issue
Catalogue Information
| Value | Color | Type | Michel/Scott/Yvert Codes | Typical Market Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2c | Orange brown | A | Michel IT-EG 3XII | 5.41 |
| 5c | Green | B | 16.23 | |
| 10c | Brownish rose | B1 | 0.27 | |
| 15c | Slate-grey | C | 54.10 | |
| 25c | Blue | D | 2.16 | |
| 40c | Brown | E | 0.27 | |
| 50c | Light violet | E1 | 0.27 |
Values are approximate and can vary depending on condition and market demand.
Collecting Notes
- The 15c value is notably the most difficult to find in mint condition among the Simi set, which is a trend seen across other Aegean island issues as well.
- These stamps are sought after by collectors of Italian colonies and occupation issues, as well as those specializing in Aegean philately.
Historical and Philatelic Context
- The Simi overprints are part of a broader series of Italian colonial issues for the Aegean Islands, reflecting Italy’s administrative control and the unique postal identities of each island during this period.
- In 1917 and later years, additional values and varieties appeared, but the 1912 issue remains the foundational set for Simi.
Summary Table: 1912 Simi Overprinted Stamps
| Denomination | Color | Overprint | Issue Date | Perforation | Watermark | Printing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2c | Orange brown | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 5c | Green | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 10c | Brownish rose | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 15c | Slate-grey | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 25c | Blue | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 40c | Brown | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
| 50c | Light violet | “Simi” | 1912-12-01 | 14¼ | None | Typography |
These stamps are a classic example of early 20th-century occupation issues and remain of significant interest to collectors of Italian and Aegean philately
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