Vatican to issue "Vancant See" stamps...
 

This is for those travelling to Rome during the Interegnum -- until a new Pope is chosen.

The Vatican will be issuing "Vancant See" stamps. These stamps bear the crossed keys but no papal headgear. They are only issued when the Holy See is vacant due to the death of a Pope.

I'm a little confused. I thought it was a typo in the title, but then you spelled it the same twice. Is it Vacant See or Vancant See?

In English it's 'Vacant See'

http://uk.fc.yahoo.com/050402/46/ffj1g.html

Patrick:

It must really say something about me that I not only spelled it wrong...TWICE. But I have to admit reviewing it very carefully before posting. I need bigger glasses! :">

Of course, it should read "Vacant See" stamps.

If the Vatican Post Office sells out of these stamps, will they put up a "No Vacant See" sign?

They will look something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...;category=4745

I'm a philatelist, and would love to be in Rome right now, if only to collect a "Vacant See" stamp. If anyone will be there during this short period of time, can you pick one up for me? I will gladly reimburse you. Peace.

Robyn :)>-

where exactly is the vatican post office? thanks!

The Vatican post office is on the left side of St. Peter's Square (if you're facing the church). It's among the shops.

Mail from this post office has priority so if you send your post cards from here they'll get home before you.

Artstuff, it's probably a long shot, but if they're still issuing the stamp in mid-May, when we'll be at the Vatican, I'd gladly pick you up some stamps.

thanks adrienne!

hunnym - Thanks for the offer. I just might take you up on it, if they haven't already selected a new Pope. I would love to have one of the stamps for my collection.

Robyn :)>-

flanneruk-
I need to figure out how to take you to small claims court to recover the costs of damage to my laptop when I read your post. The wine came out my nose and ALL over the screen and courtertop as well.
Best pun ever.

flanneruk,
Only water spit out on my desk. No need for a lawsuit here. Great pun.

flanneruk:

Good one!

:d

FlannerUK - thanks for the laugh! Nearly repeated an earlier accident and knocked a shot of Drambuie onto the keyboard (and what a sticky and longlasting mess that makes!)

Those stamps are bound to appear on ebay, so happy bidding everyone :))

Chere Flanner: I always enjoy good English punmanship!

Evidently these special stamps are only being sold until a new Pope is elected. From the URL above: "The Vatican post office said Saturday, April 2, 2005 it will issue a special stamp when the pope dies, which can only be used until a new one is elected."

I would like to have one (a sheet?) also and will happily reimburse anyone who would be kind enough to pick up one for me. Email: betsy at speakeasy dot com (with the appropriate @ and . substitutions) Thanks a bunch!

Safe to assume that you can only purchase these stamps in person @ Vatican City ? Or is it possible to buy them online?

Go to any stamp dealer in the yellow pages and tell them you want a sheet and they will get you one at a nominal markup. They can only be used for postage in Vatican City (not sure if the Italians will cancel them on letters - probably) similar to the UN's stamps sold in NYC.

I too would be so grateful for a sheet of these stamps for an ardent child collector I know, would happily reimburse for purchase plus postal costs
plus express deepest gratitude :)

If anyone is able to do this, please email me at
[email protected]

Only 700,000 Vacant See stamps were printed according to the news.

....and I'm still hoping someone can pick me up some stamps while they are visiting Rome during this short period. I will gladly reimburse you for stamps and postage. You may e-mail me at [email protected]

Any Rome visitors out there?? Peace.

Robyn :)>-

artstuff/Robyn:

I'd be happy to get some stamps for you - IF they are still sellin gthem when I get there. I arrive in Rome on the 18th, but take a train straight to Florence for 4 days and don't get back to Rome until Friday the 22nd. If I get there in time (and they still have some stamps, I will be more than happy to pick some up for you - as I will be picking some up for myself and my mum too).

hi, this is for tiggy22... I would greatly appreciate it if you wouldn't mind picking up a stamp(s) for me too. I have searched all over the Inet trying to find a way to buy them straight from the Vatican post office, but no luck... I don't think it is possible. I saw your reply to artstuff and thought I would ask you. If you have any luck in purchasing them my email is in my profile. Thanks in advance and I wish you safe travels.

Does anyone know what each stamp costs?

I won't be in Rome until May 9, but if by some miracle there are still stamps available at that time (and no pope yet), I will be a stamp sherpa also.

Stamp sherpa, there was a blurb on the ABC Evening News about the stamps. There was an 80 on the picture of the stamps , so I'm assuming they're 80 euro cents, although there was no commentary to that effect. Unfortunately if the press starts mentioning the stamps, they'll probably become scarce.

Tiggy22 -

That would be SO WONDERFUL if you could pick me up at least one stamp, if not a block of 4, or a page. I sure hope they don't pick a new pope until after the 22nd.

And, if anyone else will be in Rome before the 22nd, please pick me up some stamps and I will most appreciatively reimburse you for them. If I end up receiving multiples, I will be glad to share them with my fellow Fodorites. Thanks in advance. Peace.

Robyn :)>-

Tiggy22,
Would you mind buying a few or at least one fo the "Vacant See" stamps. Email me at [email protected] and I can send you the check before you travel to Europe. Thank you!!!!

Daniel

Artstuff, Michelerene and DDaj - I will be happy to pick up stamps for you. I will email you. :-)

hello Artstuff: I am going to Rome on April 22nd. Staying for a week. If there are stamps available I will gladly buy some for you. I will post when I return to let you know if I was lucky enough to get some.

Tiggy22 or readysetgo - I would also love to have a stamp if you are able to obtain some - obviously, I will reimburse for the stamp and any postage.

If you are able to do this, please email me at [email protected]. I would really appreciate it. :)

Thank you, Readysetgo, for the offer to also pick me up some stamps. I just hope there are still some available come the 22nd.

I hope you and Tiggy22 have a nice holiday and a safe journey. Peace.

Robyn :)>-

This has nothing to do with procuring Vacant See stamps, but just wanted to preen a bit. It seems that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re may be a distant relative of my husband's Italian family (many relatives still in Italy) The small Re family here in the states are very excited. Unfortunately, the going odds for Cardianal Re are 16-1. So, he, most likely, will remain a Cardinal and not become the Pope. But, it is exciting to think about anyway. [-o<

Oh that's very very cool travlintoes! Cardinal Re was Undersecretary of State and quite an excellent administrator from what I've read...very good man. You should be very very proud indeed!

Hi Travlintoes!

I'd say his chances are better than that. Here are the candidates:

Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do

At least if he misses out he should be happy to remain a drop of golden sun.

Harzer

As I mentioned above, I too am trawling for these stamps, and would happily reimburse for cost and postage to get them to me

[email protected] our lines are open

Tiggy 22- Thanks for the note. Yes, we are proud but so ignorant too. Our branch of Re's here in the states never knew about him until the Pope's death. We are now trying to garner some info from relatives in Italy.

harzer--soo funny and so sweet!!! :) Actually, that is the way I sometmes explain how Re is pronounced. Many people pronounce it Ree.
It has been a cool name to have--the kids all love it because it is so easy to write!
I think Cardinal Re would be honored to be known as a drop of the golden Son. O:)

Hi travelintoes. Do you know that Re translated into english means king?

Found this on CNN 4/12/05:

"The Vatican printed 700,000 stamps in three values: At euro0.60 (US$0.78), euro0.62 (US$0.80), and euro0.80 (US$1.04). They carry the words "Citta del Vaticano" -- Vatican City --and "Sede Vacante MMV" -- Vacant See 2005 -- in blue, red and green, respectively."

This might help those of you who have kindly volunteered to purchase them when you get to Italy.