At the end of World War One the Croatian port of Fiume (now called Rijeka) on the East side of the Northern Adriatic Sea became the subject of controversy between the new nation of Yugoslavia and Italy. Fiume dates back to Roman times when it was called "Tarsatica" or "Terra Fluminis Sancti Viti" (the river-land of St Vitus); Fiume, in fact means river.
In 1941, following the Italian occupation of the outskirts of Fiume, Yugoslav stamps were overprinted "ZONA OCCUPATA FIUMANO KUPA"; at top on the perforations is partly visible the continuos "ZOFK" overprint.
After the official annexation Italian stamps were used at Fiume. In May 1941 Fiume-Kupa, the outskirts of Fiume, including Arbe and Veglia, were occupied and later annexed to the pre-existing Province of Fiume. A number of overprinted Yugoslav stamps were issued; some of the overprints include the initials ZOFK - Zona Occupata Fiumano Kupa (Fiume Kupa Occupied Zone) - and MAS (the abbreviation for the Latin motto MEMENTO AVDERE SEMPER [Remember always to be daring] which is also repeated in full on some stamps) typically struck as a continuous legend on the horizontal perforation line. Additionally some overprints include the acronym O.N.M.I. (Opera Nazionale Maternità Infanzia) National Organization for Maternity and Child welfare, and the legend BVCCARI to celebrate the February 1918 naval raid when d'Annunzio sank several Austrian ships anchored at Buccari (Bakar).
Interesting! And confusing! But an excellent explanation Barhata. Looking at the original four stamps that Timm scanned, I notice something unusual. The "I" in Fiumano seems to have a problem. This seems to be a common variety, the normal "I" seems to be missing?
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Posted 11/27/2013 11:19 am
