Vatican year 2005 Art Paintings – Raphael postage stamp MNH
In 2005, Vatican City collaborated with France for a prestigious Joint Issue honoring the Renaissance master Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio). This issue is highly regarded for its elegant design and focus on Raphael’s preparatory sketches as well as his finished masterpieces.
The “Raphael” Joint Issue Details
- Subject: The painting The Annunciation (part of the Oddi Altarpiece, c. 1502–1504) and its preparatory drawings.
- Release Date: November 21, 2005.
- Catalog Numbers:
- Scott: #1312–1313 (Individual stamps)
- Michel: Block 44 (Miniature Sheet)
- Format: The Vatican issued this as a set of two stamps, often presented in a Miniature Sheet (MS). The sheet features the finished painting alongside the red-chalk and silverpoint studies Raphael used to plan the composition.
Design & Artistry
The stamps depict two different segments of the Annunciation fresco:
- The Angel Gabriel: Based on the study and the final painting.
- The Virgin Mary: Depicted in the moment of receiving the message. The original painting is housed in the Pinacoteca Vaticana (Vatican Museums), while the preparatory drawings featured on the sheet’s border are preserved in the Musée du Louvre in Paris—symbolizing the “joint” nature of the Franco-Vatican collaboration.
Collector’s Market Value
Because of the high production quality and the popularity of Raphael, this set remains a staple for art-on-stamps collectors:
- Mint Never Hinged (MNH) Set: Approximately $4.00 – $7.00 USD.
- Miniature Sheet (Complete): Roughly $10.00 – $15.00 USD.
- Joint Philatelic Folder: A special folder containing both the French and Vatican versions of the sheets can retail for $25.00 – $35.00 USD.
Note: Vatican City also issued a separate Christmas 2005 set, which some collectors occasionally confuse with the Raphael Art issue. However, the Raphael Joint Issue is distinct for its large-format miniature sheet and the inclusion of the Louvre sketches.
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