Vatican year 1940/60 Airmail / Posta Aerea MNH Lot

Vatican year 1940/60 Airmail / Posta Aerea MNH Lot

The Vatican City issued several airmail stamps, known as “Posta Aerea” stamps, between 1940 and 1960. Here are some details about these issues:

1940s Issues:

• In 1949, the first airmail stamps were released, featuring the image of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
• Denominations included 50 lire, 100 lire, and 500 lire values.
• The stamps had the “Posta Aerea” inscription along with “Vaticano” indicating their usage for airmail services.

1950s Issues:

• In 1953, a new airmail set was issued depicting allegorical female figures.
• Denominations were 50 lire, 100 lire, 200 lire and 500 lire.
• The designs were engraved and printed in Rome.
• In 1958, another set was released showing the Archangel Michael and St. Peter’s Basilica domes.
• Values included 60 lire, 90 lire, 200 lire and 500 lire denominations.

1960 Issue:

• In 1960, an airmail stamp featuring the papal tiara and St. Peter’s Basilica was released.
• The lone value was 500 lire.

These Vatican airmail stamps from 1940-1960 are popular with collectors. They often exhibited elaborate engraved designs and were printed on thicker, watermarked paper in limited quantities compared to regular postage issues. The higher denominations facilitated airmail rates to international destinations from the Vatican City post office.