The 1940 Italian Occupation of Albania: Unissued Surcharged Set (Sassone 12-15)

Item Specifics

Country

Albania

Catalog Number

Sassone 12-15

Stamp Type

Occupation

Condition

Unused

Centering

XF/Superb

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

100 (Gem)

Topic

People - Politicians

Year of Issue

1940

Item Description

Overview
This set comprises four stamps prepared for issue during the Italian occupation of Albania in 1940, but ultimately never officially released (“unissued”). The stamps are catalogued as Sassone 12-15 and are considered among the rarest and most sought-after philatelic items from this period.

Set Details
Number of Stamps: 4
Denominations: 5 centesimi, 25 centesimi, 50 centesimi, 75 centesimi
Appearance: Each stamp is overprinted with the inscription “Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare” in black.
Status: Never officially issued; only found in mint, unmounted original gum condition.
Reason for non-issuance: While specific reasons are not documented, such cases typically result from political or administrative changes during occupation periods.

Rarity and Value
This set is extremely rare in the international philatelic market.
According to the Sassone catalogue, the estimated value for the complete set is approximately €5,000 (2015 valuation; current market prices may vary).
A set described as “fresh and very fine, unmounted original gum.” has appeared at auction with a starting price of 800 CHF but remained unsold, underscoring both its exclusivity and the select nature of its collector base.

Historical Significance
The set is a testament to the period of Italian occupation in Albania from April 1939 to September 1943, under Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III.
The bilingual overprint (“Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare”) reflects the Italian administration’s intent to legitimize its rule in Albania through postal symbolism.

Identification and Collecting
These stamps are typically only found in major collections, international auctions, or accompanied by expert certificates. This set was signed and certified by Raybaudi in 1975. The entire printing was destroyed, with less than 200 of each value remaining.
Collectors should pay close attention to condition, authenticity certification, and the originality of the gum. As you could observe from the photos, the stamps are in MNH and very fine quality.

Summary Table
Stamp Denomination Overprint Condition Reference Value (Sassone)
Sass.12 5 c Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare Mint, og €5,000 (set of 4)
Sass.13 25 c Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare Mint, og
Sass.14 50 c Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare Mint, og
Sass.15 75 c Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare Mint, og

Conclusion
The 1940 Italian Occupation of Albania set of four unissued surcharged stamps (Sassone 12-15) stands as one of the rarest and most historically significant philatelic issues of its era. Its scarcity, provenance, and historical context make it highly desirable among advanced and professional collectors, and it is typically encountered only in elite collections or specialized auctions.

Seller Information

Seller

SakuraStamps (317)

Registered Since

11/30/2012

Feedback

100%

Store

Shinanomachi

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Item Location

TOKYO, Japan

Ships To

United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

I will accept returns if the stamps arriving at my address during 14 days after it was delivered.