A new series of definitive stamps of Italy was issued beginning in 1929. These were the first official definitive postage stamps of Benito Mussolini's fascist government, with their themes echoing memories of the Ancient Roman Empire. These new postage stamps feature Ancient Roman "fasces" in their designs, being the symbol, at that time, of the new fascist government of Italy.
The titular head-of-state was still King Victor Emmanuel III, but the
government was actually under the dictatorial control of Benito
Mussolini.
It may have been noted from some of the
commemorative stamp pages and earlier definitive stamp pages in this
category that an evolution has been in the making here. Earlier stamps,
where arms were used in the design, usually had the Arms of the House
of Savoy. Then for a period, such stamps may have had a combination of
the Arms of Savoy and the fascist government symbols. With later
issues, only the fascist government symbols appear on the stamps.
Five major designs were utilized for the definitive stamp issues of 1929-1942. Of course, various portraits of King Victor Emmanuel III continued to be used on some of the new denominations.
The new likenesses were the She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus, the symbol of Ancient Rome, Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus, the architects of the Ancient Roman Empire, and the goddess Italia, an allegorical representation of Medieval origin.
The new definitive stamps of Italy shown above were issued between 1929 and 1942. They are all photogravure, perforated 14, and watermarked Crown.
5 C. (1929 - Scott #213) - Olive Brown.
7 1/2 C. (1929 - Scott #214) - Deep Violet.
10 C. (1929 - Scott #215) - Dark Brown.
15 C. (1929 - Scott #216) - Slate Green.
20 C. (1929 - Scott #217) - Rose Red.
25 C. (1929 - Scott #218) - Deep Green.
30 C. (1929 - Scott #219) - Olive Brown.
35 C. (1929 - Scott #220) - Deep Blue.
50 C. (1929 - Scott #221) - Purple.
75 C. (1929 - Scott #222) - Rose Red.
1 L. (1942 - Scott #222A) - Dark Purple.
1.25 L. (1929 - Scott #223) - Deep Blue.
1.75 L. (1929 - Scott #224) - Red Orange.
2 L. (1929 - Scott #225) - Carmine Lake.
2.55 L. (1929 - Scott #226) - Slate Green.
3.70 L. (1930 - Scott #226A) - Purple.
5 L. (1929 - Scott #227) - Rose Red.
10 L. (1929 - Scott #228) - Purple.
20 L. (1929 - Scott #229) - Light Green.
25 L. (1929 - Scott #230) - Bluish Slate.
50 L. (1929 - Scott #231) - Deep Violet.
The 2 C. denomination stamp shown above was issued on December 16, 1930, and it features the new Italian coat of arms.
The new coat of arms features the coat of arms of the House of Savoy, now supported on either side by "fasces", the symbols of the fascist government of Italy.
2 C. (1930 - Scott #257) - Deep Orange.
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