Auction 309-320 - Great Britain 1840–1841 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Russo-Turkish War 1877 (July 11): Prepaid cover from Sevli-Sevlievo, Northern Bulgaria to Winkeln, Switzerland, struck on despatch with straight line "FRANCO" and unrecorded "SEVLI / POSTHORN / SEVLIEVO" bilingual negative seal handstamp, both in bluish-black (unrecorded by Tchilinghirian). Manuscript "8/2 80 rap" on face panel. Rare and superb - no other postmarks for Sevli-Sevlievo have been recorded however on the evidence of other towns occupied by the Russians in Northern Bulgaria it is probable a circular datestamp was supplied in December 1877. A fine and impressive cover of great importance.rnrnProvenance: Collection Karajanov, Corinphila sale 133, 6-9 June 2002, lot 1095.