Vesuvius dominates the city of Naples and achieved prominance
by destroying the towns of Pompei and Herculaneum in the great eruptions
of AD79.
This event was recorded by Pliny the Younger, nephew of Pliny
the Elder, Admiral of the Roman Fleet, who had the misfortune to perish
in the eruption.
The AD79 eruption was of VEI magnitude 6
The most recent eruption was in 1944, during World War II,
of magnitude 3.
The stamp illustrated below (courtesy of Paolo Bagaglia) is
from the Italian Tourism series, issued in 1989 and depicting the volcano
behind the ruins of Pompei.
The stamps below were issued by San Marino showing volcano
from opposite direction.
The following is a Special Delivery stamp issued September
18th, 1948
The volcano is barely visible in the background of stamp celebrating
Centenary of Revolution
The next stamp, issued in 1950 shows volcano partially hidden
by fisherman.
First shows volcano with no apparent plume, second has plume,
third overprinted for Trieste.
The next airmail stamp was issued by Niger in 1970 for Europafrique
exposition held in Naples.
Likewise, the following stamp issued by Senegal, celebrates
the same event.
Next stamp showing Vesuvius and Naples in the 17th Century
was issued by San Marino in 1980
The following stamp has a cartoon of the volcano for the Battle
of Naples in WW2
Issued September 25th, 1993
The gorgeous postcard below (courtesy of David Canaday) shows
night scene from 1875-1906 eruption.
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