IMHO it’s kind of funny, that it’s usually cinderella items that cause more research and headache than real postage stamps. Here’s one my all-time favourite cinderella items from Italy. I have owned this vignette over an decade, but only recently have I managed to decipher some of it’s background. IMHO the design is Art Nouveau on it’s best.

1906 Italy. Vignette for Milan World Fair exhibition. Design commemorates the theme of the exhibition - transportation (thus a pair of Mercury /Herme's), inauguration of Paris- Milan railway, and completion of Alpine Tunnel of Sempione.

This was issued for the Milan International Exhibition in 1906; one of the early World Fairs. AFAIK, these exist in 4 different colors (red,blue,green, brown). Recently I managed to find an attractive (online) stamp exhibition about these which shows all the colors, as well as various essays, proofs and postally used covers/cards featuring the vignette.

For the sharp-eyed there’s plenty to admire with the details. A good example are small inscriptions on both lower corners:

Some of the attractive little details on this item. Designer Giovanni Maria Mataloni was one of the most famous italian poster artists; and the item was printed by Italian Banknote Co Roma.

Too bad designs as such are not made anymore.

If anyone has more details about this particular item, I’d definitely like to learn some more.

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