Postage stamps and postal history of Fiume

After World War I, the city of Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia) was claimed by both Yugoslavia and Italy. While its status was unresolved, its postal system was operated by a variety of occupation forces and local governments.

The first Italian postage stamps for Fiume were issued 2 December 1918. They were produced by overprinting "FIUME" on the contemporary stamps of Hungary. Both handstamping and printing presses were used. In January 1919, two postage due and a savings bank stamp were surcharged as well. These stamps even the most common values were extensively forged. Serious collectors will require close examination of all stamps.

January also saw the first appearance of an issue produced specifically for Fiume. It consisted of 17 values, ranging from 2 centesmi to 10 corona, and used four designs: a figure representing "Italy", the town clock tower with an Italian flag hanging from it, an allegory of "Revolution", and a sailor raising the Italian flag. The first printings were inscribed just "FIUME", while in July they were redesigned with the inscription "POSTA FIUME", along with other minor changes. Meanwhile, a set of 12 semi-postal stamps was issued 18 May, commemorating the 200th day of peace since the end of the war.

Later in 1919 the higher values were surcharged with lower values, and the semi-postals were overprinted "Valore globale" for use as regular stamps.

On 12 September, 1920, the 1st anniversary of the city's takeover by the forces of Gabriele d'Annunzio, the city government issued a series of 14 values featuring a portrait bust of d'Annunzio, intended for regular use, and a set of four with various allegorical designs, intended for the use of the legionnaires on that day only.

On 18 November, the four commemoratives of 12 September were overprinted "ARBE" and "VEGLIA", marking the occupation of the islands of Arbe and Veglia, and on 20 November, more were overprinted "Reggenza / Italiana / del / Carnaro", and with new values.

In January 1921, Italian troops put an end to d'Annunzio's rule, and the subsequent provisional government overprinted the d'Annunzio heads with "Governo / Provvisorio".

On 24 April 1921, the 1st constituent assembly overprinted the semi-postals of 1919 with "24 - IV - 1921" and "Costituente Fiumana". The following year the 2nd assembly added a "1922" to the overprints.

On 23 March, 1923 a new issue put an end to the flurry of overprints. Its 12 values, inscribed "Posta di Fiume", used four designs, a Venetian sailing ship, a Roman arch, St. Vitus, and a rostral column, all printed over a buff-colored background. After the Treaty of Rome assigned Fiume to Italy (27 January), these stamps were overprinted "REGNO / D'ITALIA" (22 February) and then "ANNESSIONE / ALL'ITALIA" (1 March). Subsequently Fiume used the stamps of Italy.

Sources

* Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
* [http://www.jl.sl.btinternet.co.uk/stampsite/home.html Encyclopaedia of Postal History]
* Stuart Rossiter & John Flower: "The Stamp Atlas"
* Scott catalog