The first Bulgarian stamps were issued in 1879. These beautiful multi-colored definitive stamps were very unusual, considering the printing technology of the time. The new definitive stamps featured a heraldic lion as their
central design, and philatelists refer to them as the "Lion of Bulgaria Definitives".
The autonomous Principality of Bulgaria was created in 1878, as a result
of the Russo-Turkish War. They were still a client state of the
Ottoman Empire, but in effect, they were completely independent of
Ottoman rule, even conducting their own foreign policy.
In 1878, the new principality adopted the French Franc as their currency. In 1881, Bulgaria implemented its own currency, the Bulgarian Lev (ЛЕВ), with 100 Stotinki being equal to 1 Lev. The name of the new currency was very appropriate. In Old Bulgarian, the word "LEV" means "LION", which is the heraldic symbol of their nation.
The five definitive Bulgarian stamps shown above were issued on May 1, 1879. They are typographed on laid paper that is watermarked wavy lines and Cyrillic letters in the sheet.
These first definitive stamps are denominated in Centimes (САНТИМ) and Francs (ФРАНКЪ).
Their catalog attributes are as follows:
The six definitive Bulgarian stamps shown above were issued on April 10, 1881. They are typographed on laid paper that is watermarked wavy lines and Cyrillic letters in the sheet.
These definitive stamps are denominated in Stotinki (СТОТИНКИ).
Their catalog attributes are as follows:
The seven definitive Bulgarian stamps shown above were issued on December 4, 1882. These new issues featured new denominations and colors. They are also typographed on laid paper that is watermarked wavy lines and Cyrillic letters in the sheet.
Their catalog attributes are as follows:
Shortages of some stamp denominations necessitated the overprinting and revaluation of supplies of other denominations.
The five definitive Bulgaria stamps (and their varieties) shown above were overprinted and revalued during 1884 and 1885.
The catalog attributes of stamps with typographed overprints are as follows:
The catalog attributes of stamps with lithographed overprints are as follows:
The two definitive Bulgarian stamps shown above were issued on May 25, 1888. These new issues featured new denominations.
Their catalog attributes are as follows:
The three definitive Bulgarian stamps shown above were issued in 1886 and 1887. These new issues featured two inscription changes (underneath left star) and the first 1 Lev denomination definitive stamp.
Their catalog attributes are as follows:
The following link features category-focused affiliated seller listings on the US eBay site.
They may enable visitors to shop for and to buy specific items for the
particular collecting subject they've just read about.
The
affiliated eBay seller auction lots provided by eBay, Inc. are not the
responsibility of the management of this website. On high priced
material, make sure the lots you are buying are properly authenticated
or certified.
Return to Bulgarian Stamps
from Definitives of 1879-1887