Postage stamps and postal history of Fiume
Encyclopedia
After World War I
, the city of Fiume (now Rijeka
, Croatia
) was claimed by both the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and Italy
. While its status was unresolved, its postal system was operated by a variety of occupation forces and local governments.
The first Italian postage stamp
s for Fiume were issued 2 December 1918. They were produced by overprint
ing "FIUME" on the contemporary stamps of Hungary
. Both handstamping and printing presses were used. In January 1919, two postage due
and a savings bank stamp were surcharged as well. These stamps even the most common values were extensively forged. Serious collectors will require close examination of all stamps.
January also saw the first appearance of an issue produced specifically for Fiume. It consisted of 17 values, ranging from 2 centesmi to 10 corona, and used four designs: a figure representing "Italy", the town clock tower with an Italian flag hanging from it, an allegory of "Revolution", and a sailor raising the Italian flag. The first printings were inscribed just "FIUME", while in July they were redesigned with the inscription "POSTA FIUME", along with other minor changes. Meanwhile, a set of 12 semi-postal stamps was issued 18 May, commemorating the 200th day of peace since the end of the war.
Later in 1919 the higher values were surcharged with lower values, and the semi-postals were overprinted "Valore globale" for use as regular stamps.
On 12 September, 1920, the 1st anniversary of the city's takeover by the forces of Gabriele d'Annunzio
, the city government issued a series of 14 values featuring a portrait bust of d'Annunzio, intended for regular use, and a set of four with various allegorical designs, intended for the use of the legionnaires on that day only.
On 18 November, the four commemoratives of 12 September were overprinted "ARBE" and "VEGLIA", marking the occupation of the islands of Arbe and Veglia, and on 20 November, more were overprinted "Reggenza / Italiana / del / Carnaro", and with new values.
In January 1921, Italian troops put an end to d'Annunzio's rule, and the subsequent provisional government overprinted the d'Annunzio heads with "Governo / Provvisorio".
On 24 April 1921, the 1st constituent assembly overprinted the semi-postals of 1919 with "24 - IV - 1921" and "Costituente Fiumana". The following year the 2nd assembly added a "1922" to the overprints.
On 23 March, 1923 a new issue put an end to the flurry of overprints. Its 12 values, inscribed "Posta di Fiume", used four designs, a Venetian
sailing ship, a Roman
arch, St. Vitus
, and a rostral column
, all printed over a buff-colored background. After the Treaty of Rome
assigned Fiume to Italy (27 January), these stamps were overprinted "REGNO / D'ITALIA" (22 February) and then "ANNESSIONE / ALL'ITALIA" (1 March). Subsequently Fiume used the stamps of Italy.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the city of Fiume (now Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
) was claimed by both the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. While its status was unresolved, its postal system was operated by a variety of occupation forces and local governments.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s for Fiume were issued 2 December 1918. They were produced by overprint
Overprint
An overprint is an additional layer of text or graphics added to the face of a postage stamp or banknote after it has been printed. Post offices most often use overprints for internal administrative purposes such as accounting but they are also employed in public mail...
ing "FIUME" on the contemporary stamps of Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. Both handstamping and printing presses were used. In January 1919, two postage due
Postage due
Postage due is the term used for mail sent with insufficient postage. A postage due stamp is a stamp added to an underpaid piece of mail to indicate the extra postage due.- Background :...
and a savings bank stamp were surcharged as well. These stamps even the most common values were extensively forged. Serious collectors will require close examination of all stamps.
Later in 1919 the higher values were surcharged with lower values, and the semi-postals were overprinted "Valore globale" for use as regular stamps.
Gabriele D'Annunzio
Gabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, and dramatist...
, the city government issued a series of 14 values featuring a portrait bust of d'Annunzio, intended for regular use, and a set of four with various allegorical designs, intended for the use of the legionnaires on that day only.
On 18 November, the four commemoratives of 12 September were overprinted "ARBE" and "VEGLIA", marking the occupation of the islands of Arbe and Veglia, and on 20 November, more were overprinted "Reggenza / Italiana / del / Carnaro", and with new values.
In January 1921, Italian troops put an end to d'Annunzio's rule, and the subsequent provisional government overprinted the d'Annunzio heads with "Governo / Provvisorio".
On 23 March, 1923 a new issue put an end to the flurry of overprints. Its 12 values, inscribed "Posta di Fiume", used four designs, a Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
sailing ship, a Roman
Roman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
arch, St. Vitus
Vitus
Saint Vitus was a Christian saint from Sicily. He died as a martyr during the persecution of Christians by co-ruling Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian in 303. Vitus is counted as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of the Roman Catholic Church....
, and a rostral column
Rostral column
A rostral column is a type of victory column, originating in ancient Greece and Rome where they were erected to commemorate a naval military victory. Traditionally, rostra — the prows or rams of captured ships — were mounted on the columns...
, all printed over a buff-colored background. After the Treaty of Rome
Treaty of Rome, 1924
The Treaty of Rome of January 27, 1924 was an agreement by which Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes revoked the parts of the Treaty of Rapallo from 1920, which had created the independent Free State of Fiume...
assigned Fiume to Italy (27 January), these stamps were overprinted "REGNO / D'ITALIA" (22 February) and then "ANNESSIONE / ALL'ITALIA" (1 March). Subsequently Fiume used the stamps of Italy.
Sources
- Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
- Encyclopaedia of Postal History
- Rossiter, StuartStuart RossiterPercival "Stuart" Bryce Rossiter was a renowned British philatelist and postal historian who wrote extensively about British postal history and postage stamps of British colonies in Africa and was actively involved in numerous philatelic institutions...
& John Flower. The Stamp Atlas. London: Macdonald, 1986. ISBN 0356108627 - Scott catalog