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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3148

(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 piece and tied by "zyra e postes/berat" double circle surrounding a double-face eagle, showing "berat" straight-line handstamp adjacent. Fewer than ten examples of this stamp are known, on or off cover. One of the rarest stamps of Albania, completely underestimated in catalogues. Michel 1; €2,000.

provenance: Max Herberz
note: Between the rebel takeover on 12 July 1914 and the second Serbian occupation in summer 1915, Berat was in a state of political fragmentation following the collapse of Prince William of Wied’s authority. Control shifted between local insurgent forces, and the city at times fell within the sphere of influence of Essad Pasha Toptani. The circumstances of issue of this provisional stamp are not entirely clear. It appears that, following a brief administrative vacuum, local notables unsuccessfully sought Italian protection from Vlorë and were subsequently advised to accept Essad Pasha’s authority, which was then acknowledged in practice. A locally constituted commission administered the town for a short period, during which the stamp was issued; approximately 150 examples are believed to have been produced.

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

Estimate
£1,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£900