Italy Postage Due Stamp, Blue

Italy · 1870 · 1 Lira

This is an Italian postage due stamp, part of a series first issued in 1870. The design is purely functional, featuring the large numeral '1' indicating the value, surrounded by an ornate, engine-turned frame. The inscription 'SEGNATASSA' at the top identifies it as a postage due stamp, with the currency 'LIRA' at the bottom.

Issued shortly after the unification of Italy, these stamps were used by post offices to collect insufficient postage from the recipient of a letter. This series was in use for several decades with various printings and paper types.