Italy 1957 Ovid

• Edition : "Poste Italiane S.p.A." of the "Repubblica Italiana", commemorative stamps of the issue "2000 th Anniversary of birth of Ovid" (meant is Publio Ovidio Nasone, 43 BC - 18 AC, Roman poet and writer); issue of 1 stamp
• Catalogue Numbers: Michel: No. 979; Yvert et Tellier: No. 737; Scott: No. 721
• Issue Date : 10 June 1957
• Color : olive green / black
• Watermark : Italy No. 4 (stars-II)
• Nominal Value : 25 Lire
• Postal Validity : to 31-12-1958
• Designed by : B.Bramanti (B.Bramanti has also designed the postage-due-stamps of 1934 for Rhodes.)
  
• Printed by : "I.P.S. Officina carte valori", Rome ("IPS" = "Instituto Poligrafico di Stato")
• Print Process : rotography
• Perforation : block perforation, B 14¼ : 14
• Stamp Size : (printed area of a single stamp without signature line): 20.5 x 36.0 mm
• Print Run : 12,000,000 each in sheets à 50 stamps

Commemorative stamp of the issue "2000th Anniversary of birth of Ovid"

Michel No. 979, 25 L., postmarked in 1957

The stamp motive shows a cameo-effigy (side-portrait) of Ovid (Publio Ovidio Nasone, 43BC-18AC). The insription "SMPE" means the quotation of Ovid "Sulmo Mihi Patria Est" (Latin for "Sulmona is my birthplace.").