PRINTED IN LONDON THE NEW POSTAGE STAMPS FOR THE KINGDOM OF ITALY

The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on Sunday, 17 March 1861. Even though it was a feast day, the postal service worked all over the territory. At the beginning different stamps were used, and then, to grant a complete set of postage stamps to be used in the whole Kingdom, the issue of a series of 9 values was organized. Following convenience, but above all quality and print perfection reasons, the famous printers of London “De La Rue”, who were specialized in stamps and worked for the English Royal Family too, were chosen. Delivery of the new series started on the first of December 1863.

Among the nine values of the series, the rarest one is carmine rose cent.40. Really a few blocks of four copies are left today.