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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3149

(x) Wartime Transitional Period (1914-1920)
Provisional Administrative Council of Berat (1914-1915)
1915, Provisional “Prefecture of Berat-Administrative Council” negative seal on bistre paper, used on the reverse of an envelope, probably posted in June, addressed to Vlorë, tied by "berat" straight-line handstamp (produced contemporaneously for this provisional issue) and showing alongside "zyra e postes/berat" double-circle handstamp surrounding a double-headed eagle. One of just four covers recorded, this being among the finest; considered one of the great rarities of Albania. All recorded covers were addressed to the same destination, Vlorë. Cert. A. Diena, signed Giulio and Alberto Bolaffi. Michel 1.

provenance: Robert Ballauri
note: The mail was forwarded with the involvement of the Italian postal services based in Vlorë. According to Alberto Diena in his certificate, and based on the testimony of a colonel who was in Berat, only about 100 covers were dispatched.

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

Estimate
£5,000 to £10,000

Starting price
£4200