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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3060

(x) First Independent Albania (1912-1914)
The Modiano Unissued Stamps
1912, 5c., 10c., 25c. and 1fr. on unmailed envelope addressed to La Spezia, Italy, with each stamp tied by "vlonë / 9-12-19 2 / shqipënië" c.d.s., with the “1” in “1912” missing. The earliest recorded genuine usage of the first postmark of independent Albania, representing the only known example of its use in 1912, as well as one of just two known covers bearing these stamps (the other was not used in 1912). Cert. Enzo Diena.

note: Only a few examples of the Modiano stamps were illegally circulated in Albania during the first months of the Vlorë Government and after the outbreak of the First World War. Although it is not known when the first postmarks of independent Albania were supplied, it is possible that, at the end of 1912, the first Vlorë c.d.s. was ordered in Trieste, when the Modiano stamps were produced, and that both stamps and cancellations were subsequently supplied to Vlorë. This is plausible considering that on 21.11.1912 Ismail Qemal departed from Trieste to Albania, where he proclaimed the country’s independence a few days later, on 28.11.1912. It was previously assumed that the postmarks arrived in Albania in April, one month before the first issue; however, the stamp project in 1912 required the simultaneous use of postmarks, making their production necessary at an earlier stage. This cover, therefore, supports the hypothesis that they were already in use in December 1912, when the Modiano stamps were delivered.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,500

Starting price
£850