On April 3, 2025, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy issues a commemorative stamp dedicated to the 185th Paratrooper Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment “FOLGORE”, known as the 185th RRAO, a unit of the Italian Army belonging to the Special Forces, specialized in advanced reconnaissance operations and target acquisition in high-risk environments.
Stamp Features
The stamp – designed by the draftsman Fabio Abbati – depicts an operator of the 185th RRAO using a tool for collecting images and location data of the target. At the top right stands out the target acquisition badge, bordered at the bottom by the Italian tricolor and the Regiment's motto: “Videre nec videri” – “See without being seen”, a perfect synthesis of the unit's operational mission.
The stamp is completed by the legend:
«185th RRAO PARATROOPER RECONNAISSANCE TARGET ACQUISITION REGIMENT “FOLGORE”»,
the inscription “ITALIA” and the tariff indication “B”.
Technical Data
- Print Run: 200,025 copies
- Printing: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato S.p.A., in rotogravure
- Colors: five
- Paper: white, neutral coated, self-adhesive, with optical brightener (90 g/m²)
- Backing: mono-siliconized Kraft paper of 80 g/m²
- Adhesive: water-based acrylic, 20 g/m² (dry)
- Paper/Print Format: 30 x 40 mm
- Tracing Format: 37 x 46 mm
- Perforation: 11 (die-cutting)
The Context: Between Philately and Memory
Postal values are divided into two main categories: ordinary stamps and commemorative stamps. Each issue has its validity period, but during political or administrative transition periods, it may happen that formally “out of course” stamps are used. These, although not valid for official postage, are particularly sought after by collectors, as they represent testimonies of historical and administrative transitions: precisely because of their “formal irregularity,” they can reach high quotations on the market.
Commemorative or celebratory stamps, like the one dedicated to the 185th RRAO, are instead designed to honor people, institutions, or events of national significance, in cultural, political, artistic, or social fields. Traditionally, they do not portray living people, except for Popes or Heads of State.
The Role of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
After the ministerial decision, the process of creating the stamp is entrusted to the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), which develops a series of drafts submitted to the Commission for the Study and Elaboration of Postal Value Papers. This body provides an opinion on the graphics, while the technical specifications – such as value, format, perforation, and number of stamps per sheet – are established by a subsequent ministerial decree.
The IPZS carries out the entire design, both digital and manual, including the engraving for printing, ensuring high-quality standards and continuity with the tradition of Italian philately.
The Role of Poste Italiane
The distribution of philately and the sale of philatelic products are entrusted to Poste Italiane, which has numerous philatelic counters throughout the territory. In addition to stamps, related products such as postcards, folders, first day covers, philatelic cards, special cancellations, and more are offered.
In this sector too, the creative and organizational contribution of the Company is fundamental: Poste can rely on teams of professionals specialized in the world of philately, ensuring its quality, distribution, and cultural value.
This stamp dedicated to the 185th RRAO “FOLGORE” fully fits into this tradition: a small paper object that becomes a symbol of history, military pride, and national value, destined to occupy a special place in collectors' albums and in the collective memory of the country.
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