Ever since 1957, the Italian State gave its approval to the proposal that a series of commemorative stamps should be issued for the Games of the XVII Olympiad.

Later, for the first time in the history of the modern Olympic Games, the " Philatelists Assistance Office " was set up within the framework of the Secretariat and General Affairs Section. This office was responsible for the following tasks: 1) the issue and circulation of commemorative postcards, sticker labels, special postal cancellations, and all other material of interest to collectors; 2) the study and organizing of a special postal service in all sectors throughout the period of the Games in agreement with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; 3) maintaining contacts with the national and foreign postal Authorities for organizing issues of commemorative stamps; 4) supplying collectors with philatelic material commemorating the Games of the XVII Olympiad at completely non-speculative prices. The constitution of this special service was made known generally by means of a circular published in 4 languages and which was despatched to specialized collectors, clubs, associations, recreation societies, and to all those directly or indirectly interested in this hobby, thereby creating every possible relationship necessary to ensure the success of the service.

The interest of the collectors immediately became apparent and, in the short space of a few months, applications flooded in to such a large degree that a real selection according to the requirements of each was rendered necessary. In April 1958, the first special commemorative issue was brought out which consisted of the application on an official envelope of the mechanical franking in use at the Post Office of the C.O.N.I. for publicity reasons. The celebration of the 1958 Olympic Day was recalled on 25th August 1958 by the application on an official envelope of the commemorative franking in use at the C.O.N.I. Post Office by the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Day.

A series of six postcards which had considerable success as publicity was conceived during the period between the second and third issues. These postcards, which drew attention to the ancient Olympic champions of Magna Grecia, stressed the historical continuity of the Games. As the general programme provided for the issue of commemorative postcards on the occasion of the inauguration of the sports venues, it was thought opportune to prepare a series on " Ancient Olympic Champions ". This resulted in 10,000 series of six pieces being produced in double format. A further 30,000 copies were also planned beforehand which only bore the printing of the Olympic symbol. These latter series were held in anticipation of the inauguration of the following venues: Flaminio Stadium, Swimming Stadium, Olympic Velodrome, Palazzo dello Sport, and Lake Albano.

The issue of a series of sticker labels was undertaken with the reproduction of the symbol of the Games with wording in twelve different languages. This entire stock was exhausted before the beginning of the Games. On March 18th, 1959, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Flaminio Stadium, a commemorative postcard in colour was issued with commemorative franking distributed by the Post Office of the C.O.N.I. On 19th May 1959, on the occasion of the Rome meeting of the Executive Board of the I.O.C. and the representatives of National Olympic Committee, the Republic of San Marino issued a series of seven commemorative stamps seeking to recall a number of eminent personalities of the sports world. The subjects were furnished by the Organizing Committee in honour of these famous persons. Subscribers to the service were able to receive a " First Day of Issue " on an official envelope and a series of six maximum postcards with a reproduction in single colour of each individual stamp of this series.

On 23rd June 1959, the series of five stamps serving as Olympic publicity for Italy was issued on the double format postcards representing " Ancient Olympic Champions ". By agreement with the Provincial Directorate of the Rome Postal Services, a Special Post Office was set up within the Post Office of the C.O.N.I., where an artistic commemorative franking with the symbol of the Games could be obtained. The setting up of the Post Office of the Olympic Committee on 23rd July 1959 was the occasion for the issue of a postcard of international philatelic format with the reproduction of the symbol of the Games. This card was marked with the cancellation of the above Office, coupled with a post-marking composed of the following wording: " Inauguration of the Post Office of the Organizing Committee ".

At short intervals, issues were also brought out on the occasion of the inauguration of the various sports venues and of the Celebration of the 1959 Olympic Day. On 22nd August 1959, a commemorative cancellation on one of the previously prepared postcards of double format was applied on the occasion of the inauguration of the Swimming Stadium and distributed by the Post Office of the Olympic Committee. On 25th August 1959, the 1959 Olympic Day, the Olympic Committee Post Office distributed a commemorative franking on an official envelope, whilst the Olympic Committee Post Office also applied a commemorative mechanical post-marking on the official postcard.

On 30th April 1960, to celebrate the inauguration of the Olympic Velodrome, a special Post Office was set up close to the Velodrome on a bus kindly supplied by the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro. Here a commemorative post-marking on double-format postcard was applied. On 3rd 1960, the inauguration of Palazzo dello Sport was marked by the distribution of a commemorative mechanical stamping by the Post Office of the Olympic Committee on a postcard of double format.

This same Office was responsible for the application of the commemorative post-marking on the occasion of the opening of the Regatta Course at Lake Albano, on 21st August 1960.

The success of the first edition of sticker labels, showing the symbol of the Games, suggested the idea of a further issue in series of 12 languages similar to the first but with the reproduction of the official poster of the Games. On 23rd May 1960, the series of 14 commemorative stamps issued by the Republic of San Marino were mounted on 4 postcards of international philatelic format with the reproduction of the symbol of the Games.

( Text from:   Official Report 1960, Vol. 1., page 454)