Italian Post Turkish Empire Stamps
The Italian Post in the Turkish Empire operated across various territories in the Near East and North Africa, primarily under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Italy. These offices existed within the Ottoman sphere of influence, often serving Italian communities and commercial interests in major port cities.
- Issued stamps
- 1901–1923
- Region
- Middle East, Levant and North Africa
- Currency
- Turkish Piastre
- Languages
- Italian, Turkish, French
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Italy
History and background
Stamps issued for these offices typically bore Italian denominations and language, sometimes featuring overprints reflecting their specific location or postal status. This postal presence ceased following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent geopolitical shifts in the early 20th century.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for Italian stamps (Kingdom of Italy issues) bearing overprints such as 'Costantinopoli', 'Levante', or 'P.T.' (Poste Turche).
- Check for denominations in Italian currency (centesimi, lire) or Turkish currency (paras, piastres) on overprinted issues.
- Examine the specific font and style of the overprint, as varieties and forgeries exist.
Popular series
-
Italian Stamps Overprinted 'Costantinopoli'
1908-1923
Italian stamps (often Umberto I or Victor Emmanuel III issues) overprinted 'Costantinopoli' for use in Constantinople.
-
Italian Stamps Overprinted 'Levante'
1908-1923
Italian stamps overprinted 'Levante' (or 'Levant') for general use in the Italian post offices throughout the Ottoman Empire.
-
Italian Stamps Overprinted 'P.T.' (Poste Turche)
1909
Italian stamps overprinted 'P.T.' (Poste Turche) with new values in Turkish currency, primarily for use in Constantinople.
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
- €1–€20
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€5,000+
Values vary significantly based on the base Italian stamp, the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the overprint variety. Early issues and specific error overprints can be quite valuable.
Catalogs. Italian Post Turkish Empire 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 Post Turkish Empire stamps
Italian Post Turkish Empire stamps are issues used by the Italian postal administration in their post offices located within the Ottoman Empire, primarily from 1901 to 1923. These were typically Italian stamps overprinted with local names like 'Costantinopoli' or 'Levante', or with new denominations in Turkish currency.
The value of Italian Post Turkish Empire stamps varies widely. Common overprinted issues can be relatively inexpensive, ranging from €1 to €20. However, rare varieties, specific overprint errors, or high-value base stamps with desirable overprints can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Condition is also a major factor in determining value.
To identify Italian Post Turkish Empire stamps, look for Italian Kingdom stamps (often featuring King Umberto I or Victor Emmanuel III) with distinct overprints such as 'Costantinopoli', 'Levante', or 'P.T.' (Poste Turche) and sometimes new values in Turkish currency. Pay attention to the specific overprint details, as there are many varieties. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Italian Post Turkish Empire stamps are well-documented in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under Italy, Offices Abroad), the Michel Europa-Katalog (Südeuropa), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (under Italy, Offices in Turkish Empire).
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