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Lot# 1551 - Auction 309-320

  • Lot# : 1551 Bulgaria

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    Russo-Turkish War 1877: Soldier's letter sent stampless from Field Post Office No. 9, Bulgaria to St. Petersburg. Struck on reverse with very fine "POLEVOE POCHTOVOE OTDELENIE / 9 (1) 9" in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 61) dated August 28, 1877 (FPO.9 under 1 - HQ) with St. Petersburg arrival (Sept 7) alongside. Possibly rated '26' to pay in manuscript for a double deficiency charge of the 13 kopek pre-War rate. Opening tears as to be expected but a very rare and extremely early usage of the Field Post Office 9 datestamp.rnrnProvenance: Collection Dr. A.H. Wortman; Collection Lipschutz; Collection 'Cihangir', Corinphila sale 121, 29 April 2000, lot 422rnrnNote: The Russian Armies crossed the Danube into Bulgaria on 15/27 June 1877. By the end of July 1877 the Russians occupied the area of Northern Bulgaria up to the line between Plevna - Shipka Pass - Shumen. The Czar Alexander II established his personal HQ on Bulgarian soil at Byela and later at Gorna-Studena. The presence of the Czar undoubtedly added to the need for better communications between the Front and the Field Post Offices, Headquarters, Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Czar approved a scheme for opening Postal Stations every 15 versts (10 miles) on 28 July 1877.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold