Stamps of Monaco
Issues of 1922-1933
The the first pictorial definitive stamps of Monaco, with most of them featuring views of Monaco and its landmarks, appeared during this time period.
The ten pictorial definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #40-49) were issued between 1922 and 1924.
The four common designs, as they appear in the set, are as follows:
- Prince Albert I. The prince died on June 26, 1922, less than three weeks before this stamp was issued on July 15, 1922.
- Oceanographic Museum. The museum was inaugurated by Prince Albert I in 1910, and it is the home of the Mediterranean Science Commission. The famous French oceanographer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was its director from 1957 to 1988.
- The Rock of Monaco. The Rock of Monaco is a 203 ft. tall monolith on the Mediterranean coast of Monaco.
- The Royal Palace of Monaco. The palace was originally built in 1191, as a Genoese fortress. Since the end of the 13th Century, it has been the fortress-home of the ruling Grimaldi family.
The six portrait and pictorial definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #50-55) were issued between 1923 and 1924.
The three common designs, as they appear in the set, are as follows:
- Prince Louis II.
- St. Devote Viaduct. The viaduct has also been known as the "Bridge of Suicides". Near the viaduct is the very famous Sainte-Devote Chapel, honoring the patron saint of Monaco.
The three overprinted and re-valued definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #57-59) were issued on August 5, 1924.
The common design of these 1891-1921 definitive stamps features the left-facing portrait of Prince Albert I.
The thirty-three portrait and pictorial definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #60-92) were issued between 1924 and 1933.
The five common designs, as they appear in the set, are as follows:
- Grimaldi family Coat of Arms.
- Prince Louis II.
- Prince Louis II.
- St. Devote Viaduct.
- View of Monaco.
The seven overprinted and re-valued definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #93-99) were issued between 1926 and 1931.
The three pictorial definitive stamps of Monaco shown above (Sc. #100-102) were issued on February 18, 1928 for the International Philatelic Exhibition, held in Monte Carlo.
The common design features portraits of Prince Charles III, Prince Louis II, and Prince Albert I.
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Issues of 1922-1933
Prince Louis II of Monaco
Portrait c. 1928
Louis Honoré Charles Antoine Grimaldi (1870-1949) ruled Monaco as Prince Louis II from 1922 to 1949.
As a youth, Louis served in the French Foreign Legion and in the French Army. At the beginning of World War I, he re-enlisted in the French army, as a volunteer, serving as a staff officer. He eventually attained the rank of Brigadier General.
During World War II, Louis tried to maintain Monaco's neutrality. However, much of his country's population was Italian, and the majority of them supported the fascist government in Italy. Beginning in 1942, Monaco was occupied first, by Italy, and then later, by Germany. Throughout the war, Louis' indecisiveness concerning affairs-of-state caused a huge rift with his grandson, Rainier, the heir to the throne. Rainier strongly supported the Allies in their fight against Italy and Germany.
Louis
did leave an indelible imprint on the principality. In 1924, the Monaco
Football Club was formed, and in 1929, the first Grand Prix of Monaco
automobile race was held. He also collected artifacts of Napoleon
Bonaparte, which are now displayed in the Napoleon Museum in Monte
Carlo.