After the capitulation of Italy, the Main Postal Directorate of the Independent State of Croatia had overprinted Italian stamps with Ustasha and country emblems. The entire stock of Italian stamps found in Split was sent to Zagreb where the overprint was executed probably in late September or early October 1943. Only ten values from the total of seventeen different overprinted stamps were sent back to Split. Seven values were retained in Zagreb due to small overprinted quantities and their speculative potential.
Altogether, only 231 complete sets of 1943 Split local issue for Dalmatia exist. Postage due stamps are among the seven key values. Key values larger than blocks of four are great rarities.
1943 Split local issue for Dalmatia, 3.50 kn / 0.50 Lire, a block of twelve from positions 5-10/15-20. Largest known unit for the stamps retained in Zagreb. Certificate Vilfan.
