all lots

1889/1909: The Magnificent Thomas Hitzler Collection devoted to the fascinating "Small Lion" Post-Classic Issue, housed in three albums and mounted on exhibition pages, featuring precise descriptions and comprising most of the significant aspects of this issue. It includes the unissued essays, hand-painted Proofs, imperforate plate proofs, Specimens incl. a probably unique set in pairs, colour proofs, varieties with imperforates, mixed- and infrequent perforations including the very rare Vienna printing 10st. perf. 10½, Paris Printing with various scarce examples, 2 l. & 3 l. perf. 13¼; multiples with very scarce mint 5 st. & 10 st. blocks of four from the Vienna Printing, Paris Printing 15 st. in mint block of four (one of two known); the most unusual 10 st. ochre instead of rose (error of colour); part sheets, etc. The postal history section with covers, Parcel and AR forms; destinations with the great majority of the items being sent abroad and including better examples such as Philippines; the earliest cover recorded in this issue; high frankings with the only non-philatelic cover recorded bearing the two highest denominations, 2 l. & 3 l., and one of just five items known franked by single 3 l.; rare cancellations including non-philatelic cover cancelled by "Exposition/Plovdiv" commemorative cds (one of three recorded), surcharged 1909 "10" on 50st. in mixed franking with "Prince Ferdinand" (only possible during a two-three week period); 1892 "15" on 30st. on one of just three covers known used before the official date of issue; etc. The collection also comprises various pages dedicated to the "01" on 2 st. "Large Lion" value, with varieties including one of three covers known with inverted surcharge, multiples, newspapers, high frankings, complete sheet, etc. A magnificent collection formed after decades of research. Various Hitzler and Karaivanoff certificates are included. Viewing highly recommended.

Cancellations An extraordinary collection containing some hundreds of postal history items, few fragments and multiples, mounted on exhibition pages housed in four albums, featuring detailed descriptions stating, for each locality, the number of inhabitants (occasionally in various periods) and the date of opening of the corresponding Post Office. The collection comprises localities ranging populations from few dozens to few thousands of inhabitants, including which may be the 90% of the material extant in private hands from the "Small Lion" Issue to the end of WWI. A reference collection of major importance for advanced postal historians of Bulgaria, being nigh on impossible to duplicate.