On December 11, 1978, the Vatican Postal Administration issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the reign of the late John Paul I.
In 1912, Pope John Paul I was born Albino Luciani in the village at the foot of the Dolomites Alps. In 1935, he was ordained a priest. In 1969, Pope Paul VI elevated him to archbishop and patriarch of Venice and to cardinal in 1973. In 1978, Cardinal Luciani was elected pope by the largest number of cardinals in the history of the Church. Before John Paul I, Pope Lando (913-914) was the last pontiff to use a name that has not been adopted by any other pope. After only thirty-four days as pope, John Paul I died from a heart attack.
The subjects for all values of this issue were selected from photographs taken during his short reign. The 70-lire value depicts John Paul I seated on the throne. The 120-lire value is a portrait of him smiling. The 250-lire value shows him walking in the Vatican Gardens. The 350-lire value depicts him sitting on the throne giving his blessing.
The first three values are vertical in format and measure 30 x 40 mm with a 13 1/4 x 14 perforation. The high value is horizontal in format measuring 40 x 30 mm and perforated 14 x 13 1/4. The inscription "26 Agosto - 28 Settembre 1978," indicating the days of his election and his death, appears on each stamp, as do "POSTE VATICANE" and the value.
The State Polygraphic Institute, Rome, executed the preparation of the subjects and printing. Printed in four-color photogravure on white glossy paper, they were distributed in sheets of forty. It printed 1,450,000 complete sets.
Reference:
LoPreiato, Joseph. "Pope John Paul I - Memorial Issue." Vatican Notes 27, no. 5 (March-April 1979): 1-3.
