Stamps of Monaco
Issues of 1885-1922
The definitive stamps of Monaco, during the period from 1885 to 1922, feature the portraits of Prince Charles II and Prince Albert I.
The ten portrait definitive stamps of Monaco shown above were issued during 1885. They are all typographed on unwatermarked paper, and they are perforated 14 x 13 1/2.
The common design of these definitive stamps features the right-facing portrait of Prince Charles III.
The catalog attributes are as follows.
- 01 C. (1885 - Sc. #1) - Olive Green, Bronze Green.
- 02 C. (1885 - Sc. #2) - Dull Lilac, Slate Violet.
- 05 C. (1885 - Sc. #3) - Blue.
- 10 C. (1885 - Sc. #4) - Brown on Straw.
- 15 C. (1885 - Sc. #5) - Rose.
- 25 C. (1885 - Sc. #6) - Green.
- 40 C. (1885 - Sc. #7) - Slate on Rose.
- 75 C. (1885 - Sc. #8) - Black on Rose.
- 01 F. (1885 - Sc. #9) - Black on Yellow.
- 05 F. (1885 - Sc. #10) - Rose on Green.
The nineteen portrait definitive stamps of Monaco shown above were issued between 1891 and 1921. They are all typographed on unwatermarked paper, and they are perforated 14 x 13 1/2.
The common design of these definitive stamps features the left-facing portrait of Prince Albert I.
The catalog attributes are as follows.
- 01 C. (1891 - Sc. #11) - Olive Green.
- 02 C. (1891 - Sc. #12) - Dull Violet.
- 05 C. (1891 - Sc. #13) - Blue.
- 05 C. (1901 - Sc. #14) - Yellow Green.
- 10 C. (1891 - Sc. #15) - Brown on Straw, Dark Brown on Yellow.
- 10 C. (1901 - Sc. #16) - Carmine, Rose.
- 15 C. (1891 - Sc. #17) - Rose.
- 15 C. (1901 - Sc. #18) - Violet Brown on Straw.
- 15 C. (1921 - Sc. #19) - Gray Green.
- 25 C. (1891 - Sc. #20) - Green.
- 25 C. (1901 - Sc. #21) - Deep Blue.
- 40 C. (1894 - Sc. #22) - Slate on Rose.
- 50 C. (1891 - Sc. #23) - Violet Brown on Orange, Brown on Orange.
- 75 C. (1894 - Sc. #24) - Violet Brown on Buff, Lilac Brown on Buff.
- 75 C. (1921 - Sc. #25) - Olive Brown on Buff.
- 01 F. (1891 - Sc. #26) - Black on Yellow, Black on Pale Yellow Straw.
- 05 F. (1891 - Sc. #27) - Rose on Green, Carmine Rose on Green.
- 05 F. (1921 - Sc. #28) - Dull Violet.
- 05 F. (1921 - Sc. #29) - Dark Green, Pale Green.
The three overprinted and / or re-valued stamps of Monaco, shown above, were issued on March 5, 1921 to celebrate the Birth of Princess Antoinette, the daughter of Princess Charlotte and Prince Pierre, the Comte de Polignac.
The three commemorative stamps are overprinted 28 / DECEMBRE / 1920, the birthday of Princess Antoinette of Monaco (1920-2011).
The catalog attributes are as follows.
- 05 C. (1921 - Sc. #30) - Light Green.
- 75 C. (1921 - Sc. #31) - Brown on Buff.
- 02 F. on 05 F. (1921 - Sc. #32) - Dull Violet.
The three overprinted and re-valued definitive stamps of Monaco shown above were issued during 1922.
- 20 C. on 15 C. (1922 - Sc. #33) - Gray Green.
- 25 C. on 10 C. (1922 - Sc. #34) - Rose.
- 50 C. on 01 F. (1922 - Sc. #35) - Black on Yellow.
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Issues of 1885-1922
Prince Charles III of Monaco
Charles Honoré Grimaldi (1818-1889) ruled Monaco as Prince Charles III from 1856 to 1889.
He is best known as the founder of the famous casino in Monte Carlo quarter of the principality, which is named after him. His title in the Monegasque and Italian languages was Carlo III, thus "Monte Carlo" means "Mount Charles".
Prince Albert I of Monaco
Albert Honoré Charles Grimaldi (1848-1922) ruled Monaco as Prince Albert I from 1889 to 1922.
Prince Albert was a political, economic, and social reformer, bestowing a new constitution on the principality in 1911.
His first love, though, was oceanography. He led a number of expeditions, along with world renown scientists, often with his own yachts.
He was also fascinated by the polar regions. Between 1898 and 1907, he led four scientific expeditions, using his own yacht, to Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, approximately half way between the northern border of Norway and the North Pole. His expedition was later honored by the island being renamed to "Albert I Land".