On June 2, 1987, the Vatican issued a series of stamps to commemorate the eighth centenary of the evangelization of Latvia. The series consists of two values, 700- and 2,400-lire.
The Danes began the evangelization of Latviaand, which the Augustinian canon regular Meinard completed in the twelfth century. Meinard was consecrated bishop of Ikskile, south of Riga, by 1186. Some time after Meinard's death in 1196, officials transferred his remains to the Cathedral of Riga.
The background of each stamp consists of Latvian ornamental designs. At the top of each stamp appears the inscription EVANGELIZZAZIONE 8 CENT. LETTONIA. The words POSTE VATICANE and the value appear along the bottom.
The 2,400-lire stamp features the Marian Basilica of the Assumption, built at Aglona by the Dominican fathers in 1780. The basilica appears in the center of a medallion, which includes the Latin inscription VIII CENT. ANNUS AB EVANGELIZATA LETTONIA.
Mario Codoni designed the illustrations. The Italian State Polygraphic Institute and Mint printed 550,000 complete series, which were issued in sheets of twenty, on white chalky paper in multicolor rotogravure print. The stamps are vertical, measure 30 x 40 mm, and have a perforation of 13 1/4 x 14.
Crimando, Thomas I. "Eighth Century of Evangelization of Latvia." Vatican Notes 36, no. 1 (July 1987): 1.
