In September 2024, the Monaco Post issued a stamp marking the 40th anniversary of the Irish Library.
I have been captivated by Grace Kelly ever since I first saw her on screen, and stamps of Grace Kelly — Princess Grace — have become one of my collecting themes.
Here are the stamps featuring Grace Kelly and Princess Grace that the Principality of Monaco has issued over the years!
Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was born in 1929 into an Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She made her Broadway debut in 1949 and worked as an actress in the United States until her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.
Until her death in 1982 at the age of 52, she devoted herself as Princess of Monaco to charitable & cultural work.
The Monaco Stamp That Defines Grace Kelly
2009 — Grace Kelly’s Oscar
This is the first stamp that comes to mind when I think of Grace Kelly.
It shows her receiving the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1955 for the 1954 film The Country Girl.
How Grace Kelly & Postio Marche Met
2004 — 20th Anniversary of the Irish Library
My online foreign stamp shop, Postio Marche, opened in 2005.
I thought “How lovely!” the moment I saw this stamp, and I’ve sold it since the day the shop opened.
The shamrock & Princess Grace’s elegant profile — it was love at first sight.
What is the Irish Library?
The Princess Grace Irish Library houses the books collected during her lifetime by Princess Grace, who had deep ties to Ireland. It is cherished as a treasure house of literature, art & music.
The Irish Library Stamp, 20 Years Later
This stamp celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Irish Library, issued in 2024.
You can feel Princess Grace’s warm, friendly personality.
Princess Grace Stamp Gallery
From here on, I’ll introduce stamps issued by the Principality of Monaco from 1956, when Grace Kelly became Princess, onward.
1956 — Wedding of Prince Rainier III
Their engagement was announced on January 5, 1956, and the civil wedding took place at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco on April 18.
The commemorative stamps have a truly graceful design.
1957 — Princess Grace
The profile portrait stamps are lovely too.
1958 — Birth of Prince Albert
The stamp celebrating the birth of Albert II (born March 14, 1958) radiates gentleness & happiness.
1960 — Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace
1966 — Birth of Princess Stéphanie
This stamp celebrates the birth of Princess Stéphanie in 1965.
She is shown together with her brother, Albert II, and her sister, Princess Caroline.
1983 — In Tribute to Princess Grace
Issued the year after her death in 1982, this stamp conveys both deep respect and sorrow.
1989 — 25th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Foundation
On the right is Princess Caroline, who succeeded Princess Grace as president of the Foundation.
The Princess Grace Foundation (Fondation Princesse Grace) was established in 1964.
It supports humanitarian projects that benefit children and helps students through cultural projects.
1991 — 10th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Theatre
The Théâtre Princesse Grace was inaugurated by Princess Grace on December 17, 1981, and she designed its interior herself. Today its president is her daughter, Princess Stéphanie. Reflecting its founder’s vision, it presents a high-quality arts program.
Princess Grace died in an accident in 1982, the year after the theatre opened.
1993 — Princess Grace / Grace Kelly
In my mind, this stamp belongs in the hall of fame for sheer beauty.
It is the work of the engraver Czesław Słania, and the USA issued a stamp with the same design.
Monaco’s reads “PRINCESS GRACE,” while the American one reads “GRACE KELLY.”
Słania engraved a separate plate for each, so the finished stamps differ subtly.
I believe the design was based on this photograph, taken in 1953.
Both the stamp and the photo have a wonderfully poised, dignified air.
For more on Słania’s stamps, see this post:
👉 Czesław Słania, Master of Stamp Engraving — The Magician of the Burin, Vol. 1
1996 — Europa: Famous Women
The theme of the 1996 Europa stamps was “Famous Women.”
Fourteen years after her death, Princess Grace was chosen as the motif to represent Monaco.
2002 — History of Monaco: Princess Grace
2014 — 50th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Foundation
The 50th anniversary stamp uses a photo that still appears on the Foundation’s website today.
2019 — 90th Anniversary of Princess Grace’s Birth
This miniature sheet marks 90 years since Princess Grace was born in 1929.
It almost makes you feel as if she were still with us.
2029 will mark the 100th anniversary of her birth, and I’m looking forward to some wonderful stamps.
2021 — 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival
This stamp shows how much the Prince & Princess, who were closely involved in cultural events, enjoyed themselves.
Monaco’s Museum of Stamps & Coins (Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies)
The Museum of Stamps & Coins, Founded by Prince Rainier III
The museum was founded in December 1995 by Princess Grace’s husband, Prince Rainier III (May 31, 1923 – April 6, 2005), and opened to the public in 1996.
It is located in Fontvieille, next to the well-known cultural venue Espace Léo Ferré.
It displays stamps & printing materials from Monaco’s first stamps, issued in 1885 under Prince Charles III, to the present day.
Every two years, Monaco hosts MonacoPhil, an international event that brings together stamp collectors from around the world.
Commemorative stamps are issued for each MonacoPhil.
2017 — MonacoPhil: Philatelists of the Americas
Stamps are issued for every MonacoPhil, and in 2017 it was a miniature sheet.
Princess Grace is at upper left, and on the right is Hercule Florence.
Antoine Hercule Romuald Florence (February 29, 1804 – March 27, 1879) was a French-Brazilian painter & inventor who grew up in Monaco.
He invented “polygraphie,” a printing technique intended to produce banknotes that could not be forged.
Grace Kelly & Princess Grace Stamps: Summary
What did you think of the Princess Grace stamps issued by the Monaco Post?
Many countries have issued stamps featuring Princess Grace, but I focus my collection on Monaco.
Someday I’d love to visit Monaco’s Museum of Stamps & Coins!
And I’ll keep collecting stamps of Grace Kelly — Princess Grace — whom I so admire.
Next, I introduce the 11 films Grace Kelly appeared in, through Monaco’s film poster stamps.
👉 Grace Kelly’s Film Posters on the Stamps of Monaco
Postio Marche keeps Princess Grace stamps in its “Royalty” collection — please take a look.
👉 Postio Marche — Royal Family Stamps
Some of the stamps shown are from a private collection. Items available for purchase are those listed in the shop only.
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