Custom Search


Bulgarian Stamps

Definitives of 1879-1887


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:

  • 05 C.  (1879 - Sc. #1) - Black & Orange, Black & Yellow.
  • 10 C.  (1879 - Sc. #2) - Black & Green.
  • 25 C.  (1879 - Sc. #3) - Black & Violet, Black & Purple.
  • 50 C.  (1879 - Sc. #4) - Black & Blue.
  • 01 F.  (1879 - Sc. #5) - Black & Red.



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:

  • 03 S.  (1881 - Sc. #6) - Red & Silver, Deep Carmine & Gray.
  • 05 S.  (1881 - Sc. #7) - Black & Orange.
  • 10 S.  (1881 - Sc. #8) - Black & Green, Black & Deep Green.
  • 15 S.  (1881 - Sc. #9) - Deep Carmine Red & Green, Carmine & Pale Green.
  • 25 S.  (1881 - Sc. #10) - Black & Violet, Black & Purple.
  • 30 S.  (1881 - Sc. #11) - Blue & Fawn, Deep Blue & Brown.



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:

  • 03 S.  (1882 - Sc. #12) - Orange & Yellow.
  • 05 S.  (1882 - Sc. #13) - Green & Pale Green.
  • 10 S.  (1882 - Sc. #14) - Rose & Pale Rose.
  • 15 S.  (1882 - Sc. #15) - Red Violet & Pale Lilac.
  • 25 S.  (1882 - Sc. #16) - Blue & Pale Blue.
  • 30 S.  (1882 - Sc. #17) - Violet & Green.
  • 50 S.  (1882 - Sc. #18) - Blue & Pink.



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:

  • 03 S. on 10 S.  (1884 - Sc. #19) - Rose (Black).
  • 05 S. on 30 S.  (1884 - Sc. #20) - Blue & Fawn (Carmine).
  • 05 S. on 30 S.  (1884 - Sc. #20A) - Blue & Fawn (Black).
  • 15 S. on 25 S.  (1884 - Sc. #21) - Blue (Carmine).

The catalog attributes of stamps with lithographed overprints are as follows:

  • 03 S. on 10 S.  (1885 - Sc. #21B) - Rose (Black).
  • 05 S. on 30 S.  (1885 - Sc. #21C) - Blue & Fawn (Violet).
  • 15 S. on 25 S.  (1885 - Sc. #21D) - Blue (Violet).
  • 50 S. on 01 F.  (1885 - Sc. #22) - Black & Red (Black).



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:

  • 01 S.  (1885 - Sc. #23) - Gray Violet & Pale Gray.
  • 02 S.  (1885 - Sc. #24) - Slate Green & Pale Gray.



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:

  • 01 S.  (1886 - Sc. #25) - Gray Violet & Pale Gray.
  • 02 S.  (1886 - Sc. #26) - Slate Green & Pale Gray.
  • 01 L.  (1887 - Sc. #27) - Black & Red.





eBay Auction and Store Links
Bulgaria

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





SBI!