Olympic Games of Rome, Pro Juventute (for the Youth). No’s 367-371.

 

Fifty-four years after Italy had to give up hosting the Olympics, Rome finally got its chance. They made the most of their dramatic history, holding the wrestling competition in the Basilica of Maxentius, site of wrestling contests 2,000 years earlier. Among the other ancient sites that were used were the Caracalla Baths (gymnastics) and the Arch of Constantine (finish of the marathon). By winning the silver medal in light-welterweight boxing, Ike Quartey of Ghana became the first black African Olympic medallist. Five days later in the marathon, Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, outlasted Rhadi Ben Abdesselem of Morocco to become the first black African Olympic champion.

 

Date of issue: 2 May 1960

Expiration date: 1 July 1962

Design:

Printing: Imprimerie Belge de Sécurité, Brussels (subsidiary company of Waterlow)

Perforation: 13.75 x 13.5

Size: 36 x 20 mm

Sheet: 50

Marginal inscriptions:

Circulation: 75,000

The extra tax was to the profit of the education of the youth of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi (Pro Juventute = for the Youth).

 

Philatelic material.

First Day Covers (FDC)

There are most probably two more, see Belgian Congo.

Note: Blanco or airmail envelopes are not shown here but do exist.

 

Maximum cards of the series made in black and white with FDC cancellation (2-5-60).

The same maximum cards were used for the Belgium Congo series, although I own in both series only the first three, there is no reason to believe that the other two were not made.

Editor: Unimax, Brussels

Size: 10.5 x 14.7 cm.