In 1896 Greece hosted the first modern Olympic Games and issued a set of 12 stamps, from 1 lepton to 10 drachmae. Although designed, engraved and printed in France, they were wholly Greek in concept. Apart from the 1d and 10d, which depicted the Acropolis and the Parthenon respectively, the designs were derived from ancient Greek Sculptures of athletes, or statues symbolizing the spirit of the Games.
Greece produced a second Olympic set in 1906 but this precedent was not followed by any other host country until 1920, when Belgium issued a set of three, establishing an enduring trend whereby the host nation issues stamps to mark the event. In 1932 the USA became the first country to issue stamps for the Winter Olympics as well. In 1954-5 Australia broke new ground by issuing stamps as advance publicity for the Melbourne Games of 1956. This tradition has now reached the point at which countries begin issuing pre-Games stamps as soon as the winning bid is confirmed.
The Games now include around 30,000 participants, and if you take into account allthe stamps marking the anniversaries of national Olympic committees, as well as the stamps and postal stationary provided for the use of the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland, plus souvenir cards and covers, it is not hard to appreciate what a huge subject this has become.
From the Book:
The Complete Guide to STAMPS & Stamp Collecting
Dr. James Mackay
Hermes House
Annes Publishing 2005
Printed in Singapore
* We bought this book in Singapore back in 2006 but just got to open and scan through it just now. It is in paperback but the pages are of good quality paper and glossy. It covers a wide range of topics and includes "The World Directory of Stamps." It has many beautiful, colorful and quality pictures that give readers and collectors a greater appreciation of the Philately.
On it cover, it is written; "The Ultimate illustrated reference to over 3000 of the World's best stamps and a professional guide to starting and perfecting a spectacular collection."
It is not a catalogue; but it truly is a good reading for collectors (and novices) in building or improving their collections. You really will learn more about stamps and stamp collecting.
SAN MARINO
1960 ROME OLYMPICS
One of our previous items in our auctions
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