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.
- Issued stamps
- 1914–1945
- Region
- Europe, Southern Europe, North Africa
- Currency
- ITL
- Languages
- Italian, Albanian, Greek, Serbo-Croatian, Amharic, Arabic
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Italy
History and background
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.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Occupazione Italiana' or 'Poste Italiane' inscriptions, often alongside local language.
- Identify overprints on stamps of the occupied country, indicating Italian administration.
- Note military designations or specific regional names (e.g., 'Lubiana', 'Corfù') on the stamps.
- Examine the designs for Italian symbols or portraits of Italian royalty/leaders.
Popular 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.
-
Occupazione Italiana dell'Africa Orientale (Italian Occupation of East Africa)
1936-1941
Issues for Italian East Africa (AOI), comprising Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland, before British occupation.
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
- €0.50–€10
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€5,000+
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.
Catalogs. Italian Occupations 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 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.
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.
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. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
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.
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