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 Vatican Cultural and Scientific Institutions Scott 733-736 (1984) On June 18, 1984, Vatican City released a set of four stamps honoring the "cultural and scientific institutions of the Holy See". The Pontifical Academy of Sciences (150 lire) has existed in Rome since 1603. Its mission is to "honour pure science, by guaranteeing its liberty and fostering research". It is located in the Casina of Pius IV on the grounds of the Vatican. The stamp above shows an external view of the facility. The Vatican Secret Archives (450 lire) was established by Pope Paul V between 1611 and 1614. The stamp above illustrates seals on a document preserved in the Archives. Pope Leo XIII permitted free access to the archives, starting in 1881, so scholars could conduct historical research. An underground extension was constructed during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI under the Courtyard of the Pinecone, and was inaugurated by Pope John Paul II. The Vatican Apostolic Library (550 lira) was founded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1475 and was later expanded by Pope Sixtus V, who ordered its construction at the current site. The Library is located inside the Vatican Palace, and its entrance, shown in the stamp above, is through the Belvedere Courtyard. Again, it was Pope Leo XIII who expanded access to the library to allow for academic research. The Library houses close to 2,000,000 printed works. The Vatican Observatory (1500 lire) is located at the extraterritorial space at the Papal Palace at Castelgandolfo, and is illustrated in the stamp above. It is the oldest functioning astronomical institution in Europe, established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1576. In addition to the stamps of this issue, these institutions have been honored on other Vatican City stamps and aerogrammes over the years. In 2007, VPS President Greg Pirozzi presented a four-part study of these institutions. It provides an in-depth review of each of the sites, and includes a look at the postal history tied to these great institutions. The reader can access these articles by clicking on the links in the reference section below. REFERENCES: |
