On January 1, 1987, Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) announced the Marian Year that ran from Pentecost, June 7, 1987, to the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1988. To mark the occasion, on June 16, 1988, the Vatican issued six stamps depicting special moments in the life of the Blessed Mother. The stamps replicate African, European, Peruvian, Australian, Japanese, and North American art. The issues commemorate the Annunciation, the Nativity, Pentecost, the Assumption, and Mother of the Church and her role as Refuge of Sinners.
The designs indicate the spread of Marian devotion throughout the world:
50-lire - "Annunciation," an original work of Father Eugene Woelffel, inspired by African art
300-lire - "Nativity," designed by Maria Carmela Perrini, inspired by models of European art
500-lire - "Pentecost," designed by Anna Maria Maresca, inspired by models of Peruvian art
750-lire - "Assumption," designed by Maria Maddalena Tuccelli, inspired by models of Australian art
1,000-lire - "Mother of the Church," an original work of the Japanese painter Nobuko Suezawai
2,400-lire - "Refuge of Sinners," designed by Rita Fantini, inspired by models of North American art.
The stamps, vertical in format, measure 30 x 40 mm and have a perforation of 13 1/4 x 14. The Italian State Polygraphic Institute and Mint printed 550,000 complete series on white chalky paper in multicolor rotogravure print. The denomination and the inscription ANNO MARIANO 1987-1988 appear along the top of each stamp. POSTE VATICANE appears at the bottom.
