Postage stamps and postal history of Monaco
The postal history of Monaco can be traced to the principality’s first postmark in 1704. Stampless covers are known with both manuscript and handstamp postmarks for Monaco and Fort d'Hercule (1793-1814 French occupation); as the principality was once much larger, postmarks of the communes of Menton and Roquebrune prior to their 1848 secession might also be included. Monaco used Sardinian stamps from 1851 until 1860, when by the Treaty of Turin, Sardinia ceded to France the surrounding county of Nice and relinquished its protectorate over Monaco; French stamps with Monaco or Monte-Carlo postmarks were used thereafter. Two forms of cancellation are known for the French period. With the first, the postmark is on the cover away from the stamps; an obliterator with an identifying post office number 4222, or later 2387, inside a diamond of ink dots cancelled the actual stamps. The second applied the postmark directly on the stamps, as both a date stamp and cancel. All of these postal forerunners, particularly usages of Sardinian stamps with Monaco cancels, are far more valuable than the same stamps postally used in the issuing countries.[1]
The first Monegasque postage stamps were issued on July 1, 1885, and featured the image of Prince Charles III of Monaco.[2]
In 1937, the principality responded to a growing interest from philatelists by creating a Stamp Issuing Office.[2] The 1949 accession of Prince Rainier III led to increased importance for the principality’s philatelic issues. During his reign, the prince was personally involved in all aspects of the design and format of the principality’s philatelic issues, and he was quoted as stating that stamps were “the best ambassador of a country.”[3] The prince was a noted philatelist and his collection was the basis of Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins.[4]
Monaco joined the Universal Postal Union in 1955 and PostEurop in 1993.[2] Monaco’s postage stamps, which are tied to French postal rate, continue to be popular among collectors and are considered to be a source of revenue for the principality.[5][6]
References
- ↑ Cérès Catalogue des Timbres-Poste [any year], Tome [Vol.] B, Andorre, Monaco, Polynésie Française, Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises prices "marques postales" for the stampless period as well as "obliterations sur timbres sardes et français" both on- and off-cover.
- 1 2 3 "Informations". Office des Emissions de Timbre-Poste, Principauté de Monaco. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "Prince Rainier's impressive collection". Stamp Magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
- ↑ "Museums & Attractions: Museum of Stamps and Coins". Monaco Official Site. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
- ↑ Nicola Williams; Oliver Berry; Steve Fallon (2005). France. Lonely Planet. p. 856. ISBN 1-74059-923-3.
- ↑ David C. King (2008). Monaco. Marshall Cavendish. p. 55. ISBN 0-7614-2567-5.