Italian Occupations Stamps
Identification, history, popular series & stamp values
About Italian Occupations Stamps
The Italian Occupations refer to various territories administered by Italy during and immediately following the World Wars, primarily located in Southern Europe and North Africa. These issues reflect a complex period of Italian expansionism and subsequent military administration, often superseding local postal systems. Stamps from these occupations frequently feature Italian language alongside local vernaculars or military designations, marking transitional phases before eventual return to sovereign control or subsequent international administration. The issues are highly specialized, documenting short-lived political realities across diverse geographical contexts.
Issuer Overview
- Region:
- Europe
- Subregion:
- Southern Europe, North Africa
- Issuing period:
- 1914 – 1945
- Languages:
- Italian, Albanian, Greek, Serbo-Croatian, Amharic, Arabic
- Currency:
- ITL
- Parent issuer:
- Italy
Stamp Catalogs
Italian Occupations stamps are listed in the following catalogs:
Popular Italian Occupations Stamp Series
Occupazione Italiana di Albania (Italian Occupation of Albania) (1939-1943)
Stamps issued during Italy's occupation of Albania, often overprinted on Albanian issues or featuring Italian designs.
Occupazione Italiana di Grecia (Italian Occupation of Greece) (1941-1943)
Issues for various Greek territories under Italian military administration, including Corfu and the Ionian Islands.
Occupazione Italiana di Jugoslavia (Italian Occupation of Yugoslavia) (1941-1943)
Stamps for occupied Yugoslav territories like Ljubljana (Lubiana) and Montenegro, often overprinted or with new designs.
Italian Occupations Stamp Value Overview
Value Notes: Common issues are generally inexpensive. Rarities include specific overprints, errors, and stamps from short-lived or less common occupational zones, especially those in mint condition or on cover.
How to Identify Italian Occupations Stamps
Key features to look for when identifying Italian Occupations stamps:
- 1 Look for 'Occupazione Italiana' or 'Poste Italiane' inscriptions, often alongside local language.
- 2 Identify overprints on stamps of the occupied country, indicating Italian administration.
- 3 Note military designations or specific regional names (e.g., 'Lubiana', 'Corfù') on the stamps.
Related Issuers & Topics
Explore stamps from related regions and historical entities:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Italian Occupations stamps?
Italian Occupations stamps are postage stamps issued by Italy for territories it administered during and immediately after the World Wars. These territories were primarily located in Southern Europe (e.g., Albania, Greece, Yugoslavia) and North Africa (e.g., parts of Ethiopia, Libya). They reflect a period of Italian military and political control.
Are Italian Occupations stamps valuable?
The value of Italian Occupations stamps varies significantly. Many common issues are relatively inexpensive, ranging from €0.50 to €10. However, rare varieties, specific overprints, errors, and stamps from short-lived or less common occupational zones can be quite valuable, fetching prices from €100 to over €5,000, especially in mint condition or on original covers.
How can I identify Italian Occupations stamps?
To identify Italian Occupations stamps, look for inscriptions like 'Occupazione Italiana' or 'Poste Italiane', often alongside the local language of the occupied territory. Many are overprints on existing stamps of the occupied country. You might also see specific regional names (e.g., 'Lubiana', 'Corfù') or Italian symbols. For precise identification, use a stamp identifier app that can scan and recognize these unique issues.
Which catalogs list Italian Occupations stamps?
Italian Occupations stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find detailed information and listings in Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons catalogs. These catalogs provide specific numbering, descriptions, and estimated values for the various issues from different occupied territories.
Not sure if your stamp is from Italian Occupations?
Identify it instantly with our iPhone app
Download on App Store