Postage stamp, 25 centimes, issued by Italy to honor the German-Italian wartime alliance
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.620 inches (4.115 cm)
Archival History
The postage stamp was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2005 by Terry Friedman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Terry Friedman
Scope and Content
Postage stamp issued by the Fascist government of Italy to celebrate the alliance between Germany and Italy. It depicts Hitler and Mussolini, facing each other in profile, with a German and an Italian soldier in the background. It features the slogan: DUE POPOLI / UNA GUERRA [TWO PEOPLES / ONE WAR].
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular paper stamp with perforated edges. Front has graphic design in green ink. The central image features realistic portraits of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, bareheaded, facing each other: Hitler is in right profile; Mussolini is in left. Swords, one facing up, the other down, separate their faces. The right border has a fasces and sword. The left border has a swastika and Reichsadler [Reich eagle] atop a column. In the background space between their 2 profiles are 2 soldiers, facing forward and holding rifles; the one behind Hitler wears a German uniform, the one behind Mussolini, an Italian uniform. Italian text is at the top and bottom near center; the denomination 25 is in the lower right center. Reverse is covered with aged yellowed adhesive. Stamp is not canceled.
Subjects
- Nazi propaganda.
- World War, 1939-1945--Italy--Postal services.
- Mussolini, Benito, 1883-1945--On postage stamps.
- Postal service--Italy--History.
- Propaganda, Italian.
- Postage stamps--Italy--History--1933-1945.
- Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945--On postage stamps.
- World War, 1939-1945--Propaganda.
Genre
- Object
- Exchange Media