Original Italian period postcard commemorating the May 1938 state visit of Adolf Hitler to Fascist Italy and his meeting with Benito Mussolini, one of the major public demonstrations of the developing Rome-Berlin Axis before the Second World War.
The obverse features formal portraits of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler presented side by side within an elaborate symbolic composition. Mussolini appears in Fascist uniform on the left, while Hitler appears in uniform on the right. Below them are the respective symbols of Fascist Italy and National Socialist Germany, arranged around a central eagle and classical architectural motif.
The postcard is identified as N. 16900 and was published by Casa Editrice Ballerini & Fratini, Firenze, an established Florentine postcard publisher active during the period.
Of particular importance is the postal history on the reverse.
The card retains an original Italian 10 centesimi “Centenario di Spontini” postage stamp, together with a Roma Centro cancellation dated 7 May 1938.
Most importantly, the stamp is accompanied by the large commemorative cancellation:
“3–9 MAGGIO 1938 XVI”
“FÜHRER – DUX”
This cancellation was specifically associated with Hitler’s official visit to Italy from 3–9 May 1938. The Roman cancellation therefore places this particular postcard directly within the dates of the historical event rather than being merely an unused period propaganda card.
Hitler arrived in Rome on May 3, 1938, where he was received by King Victor Emmanuel III, Benito Mussolini and other Italian officials. His state visit subsequently included major ceremonies, military demonstrations and visits to Naples and Florence before concluding on May 9.
The combination of the Hitler-Mussolini double portrait, N. 16900 issue, original Italian stamp, dated Roma cancellation and special Führer-Dux commemorative marking makes this a considerably more desirable example than an unused copy of the same postcard.
Interestingly, I was able to locate this exact N. 16900 Ballerini & Fratini postcard in the militaria/postal-history market, specifically described as “Mussolini and Hitler, N. 16900… with special postmark,” providing a strong direct comparison for this example.
Condition: Very good original period condition. Strong, clean image with only light age and handling wear. Reverse remains clean and highly presentable. Original postage stamp remains attached and the important commemorative and Roma postal cancellations remain clearly visible.
Period: Fascist Italy / Third Reich – 1938
Country: Kingdom of Italy
Subjects: Adolf Hitler & Benito Mussolini
Event: Adolf Hitler’s State Visit to Italy – May 3–9, 1938
Publisher: Casa Editrice Ballerini & Fratini, Firenze
Publisher Number: N. 16900
Stamp: Italian 10 Centesimi – Centenario di Spontini
Postal Cancellation: Roma Centro – May 7, 1938
Special Cancellation: Führer – Dux / 3–9 Maggio 1938 XVI
Postally Used: Yes – commemoratively cancelled, not addressed
Originality: Original Period Postcard
