Two favourite themes are about to re-surge when in January, the Office des Timbres of the Principality will unveil two commemorative blocks of new stamps.
Monaco stamps have garnered quite a following. Little gems … cameos of beautiful art which give an opportunity to laud the Circus and also an amazing group of Historic Grimaldi Sites in Europe which continue as thriving communities to this day. And they regularly celebrate their links to the Principality.
The Monaco Festival International du Cirque
Of course, the 50th Festival , though unique, isn’t the first time a Monaco stamp has featured the event created by Prince Rainier. The poster of the 44th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival was the starting point for a new series of creations by the Monegasque Stamp Issuing Office in 2020.
The 50th jubilee of the Monte-Carlo Circus Festival gives the opportunity to release two more stamps: a circular stamp valued at 2€ showcasing Prince Rainier III and a heart-shaped stamp portraying the Festival, valued at 3€.
Half a century of the festival’s existence is quite a celebration. In all that time 46 editions have taken place with the latest scheduled from January 19th to 28th, 2024.
Originating in 1974 under the patronage of Prince Rainier III, the festival began within Joseph Bouglione’s circus tent, featuring the participation of the Togni cavalry. Since assuming the presidency in 2005, Princess Stéphanie lovingly supports and directs the Festival. Curating the shows takes passion and a continued love of traditional circus performances co-existing within futuristic world class international acts. This latest commemorative collection will be restricted to 35,000 sets, exclusively available through the Office des Emissions de Timbres-Poste, the Museum of Stamps and Coins, and select retail outlets across the Principality.
Grimaldi Historic Sites
Celebrations by the Sites have become a cherished tradition, in France and elsewhere and also featuring Italy in a major way.
Some of the get-togethers are so memorable they suggest a stamp in commemoration.
The “Association des Sites historiques Grimaldi de Monaco”, under French law, founded in 2015, and by the Association “Siti storici Grimaldi di Monaco”, founded under Italian law, have found their way guided by Prince Albert into a Federation of the Grimaldi of Monaco Historic Sites, under Monegasque law, which he himself chairs.
The 3rd Meeting of the Historic Sites was held on June 4 and 5, 2022 and welcomed former “fiefdoms” of the Channel, the Alpes-Maritimes and the Territoire de Belfort ; the Meeting was itself a stamp-worthy event.
And so we also have in 2024 on January 2nd, 40,000 copies of a new stamp celebrating the Grimaldi Historic Sites being printed and sold in the Principality. Priced at 2€, this stamp highlights the Grimaldi Historic Sites Federation of Monaco, envisioned from the desire of Prince Albert II.
As a testament to the vitality of the Federation The Fifth Gathering of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco on June 15th and 16th, 2024, will welcome the municipalities of Breil-sur-Roya, Bathernay, Vintimille, Olivetta San Michele, Airole, Ripacandida, Campagna, Monteverde, Spinazzola, Poggiorsini, Terlizzi, and Canosa di Puglia at the Palace Square.
