Italy 1937. Lets make sure the kids can go to camp this summer

Italy’s government was pretty notorious in 1937. That does not mean that life didn’t go on for Italians. Such as for example, the kids going to summer camp. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.

1930s stamp engraving wont be the prime medium for capturing a 500 year old piece of Florence renascance skulpture. It was nice that they included it with the modern images of children on the other stamps in the issue to show the importance of children to society over time and to make the whole issue less political.

Todays stamp is issue A207, a 75 Centesimi stamp issued by Italy on June 28th, 1937. It was a 10 stamp issue in various denominations that promoted the Summer Exhibition for Child Welfare. The higher denominations were semi postal issues that included a surcharge to help fund the camp trips for disadvantaged kids. According to the Scott Catalog, the stamp is worth $17.50 used. The 2.75 +1.25 Lira denomination also used this image but colored blue green, It’s value used is up at $275.

The image on this stamp is “il Bambino”. It was created by sculptor Luca della Robbia in Florence during the 1440s. Della Robbia also worked in stone, bronze, and wood, but he is best known for his work in terra cota. Happy, Holy Spirit filled children were usually his subjects and decorated the alter of many Italian churches of his day. Della Robbia  produced one offs for individual commissions and also more mass market versions.that came from molds. He was successful enough to acquire a great house that contained a workshop that also employed many  of his family members. Indeed the workshop was able to continue in the house for over 40 years after della Robbia’s death.

A reader might be put off a little by the Fascist government coopting della Robbia’s work. The fact is though that the work is now long in the public domain and if you look below you will see a modern poster image of the same work available at Walmart. Interestingly they admit it is a work by della Robbia but date the work to 1912.

Well my drink is empty and I will pour another to toast Walmart for out coopting even the Fascists. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.