Heinrich Köhler 384 Auction – Day 1 Single Lots: Europe and Colonies, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia – The "P.G." Collection

1885 (December 15), cover to a member of the Eastern Corps in Sarambei, franked with 20pa rose on pale rose, tied to official cover by circular grid cancel on black, postmarked with neatly-struck Plovdiv c.d.s., alongside blue intaglio handstamped Lion cachet of the Plovdiv Military Command, some staining, but a unique franking, the only example recorded of the unissued 20pa.
Note: While Bulgarian stamps had already been issued by December, 1885, the sender franked the envelope with an Eastern Rumelian adhesive, which was nevertheless accepted.