46th Anniversary of the Società Africana d'Italia - 35 centesimo

This dark green commemorative stamp was issued in 1928 under the colonial administration of Italian Somaliland ("Poste Somalia Italiana") to mark the 46th anniversary of the Società Africana d'Italia (African Society of Italy), documenting the milestone dates "Napoli 1882 – Napoli 1928" along the side borders. Founded in Naples by prominent geographers and politicians, the society was central to promoting the scientific exploration, commercial mapping, and colonial expansion of Italy across East Africa. The highly symbolic design features a Roman fasces tied to a native palm tree in the center, flanked by the prow of an ancient galley ship bearing a winged victory statue on the left and a massive angelic wing on the right, projecting a narrative of maritime power and colonial governance. Printed with a bilingual surcharge ("Cent. 20" / "سنتيمات ٢٠"), this issue authorized institutional postal transit while reinforcing the geopolitical links between the metropolitan center in Naples and the colonial territory along the Horn of Africa.