10th Anniversary of Annexation of Fiume (Decennale di Fiume).
Description: Series of 7 stamps with 6 subjects. Impression 164.000.
Date of issue: March 12, 1934. Valid up to September 30, 1934.
Airmail series
Fiume, the modern Rijeka in Croatia, had a large Italian population.
In 1905 they organised a nationalist association, Giovane Fiume, in reaction to the influx of Croats and Hungarians with the aim to be united with Italy.
In 1918 Italian troops occupied the city and a new Consiglio Nazionale Fiumano proclaimed the city as a part of the Italian Kingdom.
At the peace conference after the First World War president Wilson and the international society opposed the annexation, and the Italians were forced to withdraw their troops.
In stead Fiume got the status of a free city.
In september 1919 the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio occupied the city again with a large contingent of nationalists and ex-servicemen, and held the city for 16 months in defiance of the Italian governments and international opinion.
He declared the city "La reggenza Italiana del Carnaro", an Italian Syndicalist republic, but the Italian government forced him out of Fiume, and the free city was re-established.
In 1924 Fiume was annexed by the Italian after an agreement with the Yugoslav government.
The episode of Fiume and Gabriele D'Annunzio's leadership became important for the fascist ideology. The occupation of the city became a symbol of patriotic vigour and youthful vitality.
Annunzio had pioneered a new style of mass politics and political rethoric, which were later adopted by Mussolini.
The motives are surrounded by the remains of the ancient city gate, constructed of large stone blocks.
It was the entrance to the ancient Roman town of Tarsatica Vitopolis.
However, formerly the ruins were identified as remains of a triumphial arch of Claudius 2., an emperor of Illyrian origin in the 3rd. century A.D.
The designer of the stamp probably referred to this identification
At the top the arms of Savoy.
Date created: 22/03/00 11:42:36