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Originally, the airmail series of 1947 was to include stamps of a higher face value than 100 lire but due to philatelic protests they were not released at the same time. It was not until December 28, 1948, that Vatican City released the badly needed values of 250 and 500 lire. This series of two stamps depicts the Archangel Raphael accompanying Tobias the Younger, on his journey to the city of Rages. Tobias the Elder was a God-fearing man who found favor in the sight of God by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and burying the dead during the Assyrian Captivity. To test his patience, God allowed him to be blinded by hot dung falling from a swallow's nest. Thinking that he was about to die, he wanted to send his son, Tobias the Younger, to the City of Rages to collect a debt owed him and desired a companion to accompany him. God sent the Archangel Raphael in human form and it was arranged that he should join the Younger Tobias on his journey. The three (Raphael, Tobias the Younger, and his dog) started their journey to Rages. The first night they camped by the Tigris River where they caught a large fish. Raphael instructed Tobias to save the heart, gall and liver of the fish as "necessary for useful medicines." Upon reaching Rages, Raphael prompted the Younger Tobias to marry a girl by the name of Sara who had been married seven times but each husband was killed on the wedding night by the devil Asmodeus. On their wedding night the Archangel burned part of the liver in the room where they spent their first three nights in prayer and self-restraint. By thus overcoming their lusts, Sara was free from the persecution of the devil. After Tobias collected the debt owed his father they all started for home. Halfway home, Raphael, Tobias, and the dog raced ahead to see the parents of Tobias. When the joyful reception was over, he anointed his father's eyes with the gall of the fish and the Elder Tobias' sight was restored. When Raphael was asked what reward he desired he revealed himself by saying: "I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord." He then departed. |
| (National Philatelic Museum, Volume VII, Number 1, 1954, pages 61-107) We are greatful to the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum for allowing the Vatican Philatelic Society to use the copyrighted text on our website. |
