Pro-Emila emilian lands hit by the earthquake

“Extend your hand for revival.” This time the invitation comes directly from the vignette of the philatelic issue signed by Fabio Ferrini, for the Azienda Autonoma di Stato Filatelia e Numismatica of San Marino. A stamp realized with the decisive contribution of the Secretariat of State for Finance, designed to give concrete help to the people of Emilia affected by the earthquake in May 2012. The run of 150,000 sets was presented on August 30, 2012 in conjunction with the Philatelic Numismatic Convention in Riccione. Proceeds from the sales, minus production costs, were used to support reconstruction efforts in the neighboring Italian region. “Let us stretch out our hands together, let us replenish the lands of Emilia,” reads the text designed for the stamp. A plant growing next to the tower of Finale Emilia, and leaves that like fingers reach out to the sky supporting the brick of reconstruction. A symbolic invitation and a real need. An issue intended to constitute concrete material aid and to manifest itself as an event capable, once again, of making explicit the relationship of friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of the two neighboring lands. The August issue, born from a suggestion of the director of the Azienda Autonoma Filatelia e Numismatica, Marino Manuzzi, and President Pier Orazio Pignatta, aims to create a synthesis between passion for philatelic art and solidarity. The yearning for “sold out” this time is inscribed in the ethical and moral humus of collectors, and the entire philatelic and numismatic world.