The Papal State(s) --
variously called Roman States, State(s) of the Church, the Pontifical States,
the Ecclesiastical States, and the Patrimony of St. Peter – consisted
of a 16,000 square mile swath across the middle of the Italian peninsula at the
time its first stamps were issued (1852). Over three million people live there;
Rome was a part of it. The Pope was both the spiritual and temporal leader.
In medieval times, the
Pope’s control extended to most of present-day Italy. In 1861, the Kingdom of
Italy invaded and conquered what remained of the Papal States, except for Rome
and its surrounds. Even Rome was lost by 1870, save for the Leonine City where
the Vatican is located.
All Roman States stamps
have line drawings of the papal triple tiara (the triregno) and the
crossed keys of Saint Peter (chiavi decussate); the last, issued in
1868, were printed on glazed paper. Stamps of Italy were used thereafter until
the Vatican stamps were issued in 1929.
Jim’s discussion of Roman States stamps is included in the post titled Italian States- a minefield. Two other online resources are well worth studying by collectors with even minimal interest in Roman States stamps.
The late Fr. Floyd A. Jenkins, S.J., wrote a concise
overview of the political history and varieties of these stamps for the Vatican
Philatelic Society: “Introduction to the Philately of the Roman States”
If you’re lucky enough to own forgeries, some of which
are more costly than the originals, consult the “Classic Stamp Forgeries”
website: https://stampforgeries.blogspot.com/search?q=roman+states. This post begins with a list of forgery terminology
before turning to an extended discussion of Roman States with pictures and
identification points.
Census: six in BB spaces, 25 on supplement pages, minor varieties and shades included.
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