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! quot;>

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!

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.