I have long hesitated to show these stamps already in January, because the Day of Fertility in Italy and also San Marino – from where the stamps come – is celebrated only on May 7. For this occasion, in fact, these stamps were issued in 2016. But they also have a justification in January: the new year was born….. But what is exceptional about these stamps?
The three stamps show mother, father and child. The intention of designer Cristina Chiappini is to promote motherhood and fatherhood, health and well-being of the unborn child. All three have bodies modeled on the shape of seeds. From these seeds, that is, human beings, springs a germ. Thus, they are metaphors of life, in which a new organism emerges from a seed. Unusual for a stamp is that on the wide open mouth of the baby, real seeds of petunias are pasted. These seeds can be planted according to the instructions on the sheet enclosed with the stamps. A second metaphor on life. But why petunias in particular? I do not know…..
Under UV light, a yellow fluorescent ink print, otherwise invisible, can also be seen, showing the logo of the Uffico Philatelico Numismatico of San Marino.
- Issued on: 2016-06-07
- Size: 105 x 35 mm
- Colors: Multicolor
- Designers: C. Chiappini
- Printers: Cartor Security Printing
- Format: Commemorative
- Perforation: 13¼
- Print: Offset lithography
- Face value: 2.65 €
- Print run: 40,005