An historic octagon
Two versions were produced between 1852 and 1859, in addition to which there were the postage-due labels which were issued in 1853. This makes up the collection of thirteen pieces representing the Duchy which, under the name of Parma, included Piacenza and part of Lunigiana too (which came under the “etcetera” printed on the last series to be issued).
Like other duchies at the time, such as Modena and Tuscany, Parma’s stamps featured the official symbol: the Bourbon lily topped by the Ducal crown, which remained in use until the family, represented by Maria Luisa, was forced to leave the region.
The first series, which is perhaps the most complex in terms of graphics, features a reference to the Parma States and includes five denominations of 5, 10, 15, 25 and 40 centesimi, which were issued on 1st June 1852.
The second series was available from 1853 to 1855. It was similar to the previous one, except that it was printed on white paper instead of coloured. It is also the most valuable: for new pieces with gum, the Sassone values the 5 centesimi at 14 thousand euros, while the 15 centesimi is valued at 16 thousand euros. Sassone gives no estimate for the 25 centesimi given that only two pieces are known to exist. Zanaria is offering the first and third pieces, used with sheet edge, at 2500 and 1250 euros respectively. The third series came out from 1857 to 1859: like the previous one, it used a previous background on which the coloured drawing, texts and values were printed, for the 15 and 40 centesimi denominations. But what made history was the octagon with curved lines, printed typographically in black on coloured paper. The stamp initially had a denomination of 9 centesimi, which was later lowered to 6. It was used from 1853 onwards as duty on foreign newspapers, a practical way to impede their distribution. The same, very simple, design was used to inaugurate the new political direction, after Maria Luisa left the city for the second and last time on 9th June 1859. According to the catalogues, these stamps made their debut on August 27th 1859 and are now almost one and a half centuries old. The five face values, (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 centesimi, the first and the third in two different colours) are among the gems of 19th century Italian stamps.
The first series, which is perhaps the most complex in terms of graphics, features a reference to the Parma States and includes five denominations of 5, 10, 15, 25 and 40 centesimi, which were issued on 1st June 1852.
The second series was available from 1853 to 1855. It was similar to the previous one, except that it was printed on white paper instead of coloured. It is also the most valuable: for new pieces with gum, the Sassone values the 5 centesimi at 14 thousand euros, while the 15 centesimi is valued at 16 thousand euros. Sassone gives no estimate for the 25 centesimi given that only two pieces are known to exist. Zanaria is offering the first and third pieces, used with sheet edge, at 2500 and 1250 euros respectively. The third series came out from 1857 to 1859: like the previous one, it used a previous background on which the coloured drawing, texts and values were printed, for the 15 and 40 centesimi denominations. But what made history was the octagon with curved lines, printed typographically in black on coloured paper. The stamp initially had a denomination of 9 centesimi, which was later lowered to 6. It was used from 1853 onwards as duty on foreign newspapers, a practical way to impede their distribution. The same, very simple, design was used to inaugurate the new political direction, after Maria Luisa left the city for the second and last time on 9th June 1859. According to the catalogues, these stamps made their debut on August 27th 1859 and are now almost one and a half centuries old. The five face values, (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 centesimi, the first and the third in two different colours) are among the gems of 19th century Italian stamps.