Italian Occupation of Cephalonia and Ithaca Stamps
Italian Occ. Cephalonia And Ithaca refers to the Ionian Islands, specifically Cephalonia and Ithaca, located in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece in Southern Europe.
- Issued stamps
- 1941–1941
- Region
- Europe, Southern Europe
- Currency
- GRD
- Languages
- Italian, Greek
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Italy
History and background
These islands experienced a unique postal history under Italian military administration following the Italian invasion of Greece during World War II, leading to the issuance of provisional stamps. The stamps from this period typically feature Italian language inscriptions alongside Greek, reflecting the temporary occupation before the islands were reintegrated into Greece. This short-lived administrative entity marks a distinct, transitional phase in the postal history of the Ionian archipelago.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for stamps of Greece (often definitive issues) with overprints in Italian, such as 'Isole Ionie' (Ionian Islands) or 'Cefalonia e Itaca' (Cephalonia and Ithaca).
- Examine the overprint carefully for authenticity; many forgeries exist. Genuine overprints often show specific characteristics in font and ink.
- Check for the year 1941, as this was the primary period of these provisional issues.
Popular series
-
Provisional Issues
1941
Stamps of Greece overprinted with Italian occupation inscriptions, often 'Isole Ionie' or 'Cefalonia e Itaca'.
-
Italian Stamps Overprinted
1941
Italian stamps overprinted for use in the occupied territories, though less common for these specific islands.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- €5–€50
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€500+
Value depends heavily on the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the base stamp. Unused stamps with full gum are generally more valuable. Forgeries of overprints exist, so expertization is recommended for higher-value items.
Catalogs. Italian Occupation of Cephalonia and Ithaca stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Italian Occupation of Cephalonia and Ithaca stamps
These are provisional postage stamps issued during the brief Italian military occupation of the Greek islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca in 1941, during World War II. They typically consist of existing Greek stamps overprinted with Italian text, reflecting the temporary administration.
Some stamps from the Italian Occupation of Cephalonia and Ithaca can be quite valuable, especially rare varieties, errors, or stamps in pristine condition. Common issues may be worth a few euros, while rarer examples can fetch hundreds or even thousands. Value is highly dependent on the specific overprint, the base stamp, and its condition.
To identify these stamps, look for Greek definitive stamps from the early 20th century that bear Italian overprints like 'Isole Ionie' or 'Cefalonia e Itaca'. Pay close attention to the details of the overprint, as forgeries are common. Consulting a specialized catalog or using a stamp identification app can help confirm authenticity and specific varieties.
Stamps from the Italian Occupation of Cephalonia and Ithaca are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott (under 'Ionian Islands' or 'Italian Occupation'), Michel (under 'Griechenland - Italienische Besetzung'), and Stanley Gibbons (under 'Greece - Italian Occupation'). Specialized catalogs for Greek or Italian occupation stamps may also provide more detailed listings.
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