1858 5p, 40p and 80 reprints (ca.1900) in black on buff paper, very fine. (Image)

1858 5p broken frame, two extra fine mint o.g. singles, one looks like the very rare unbroken frame and is signed Thier but we nevertheless believe it is the cheaper broken frame. (Image)

1858 5p broken frame mint og. tête-bêche pair (ex Beckton) and mint single (signed Schlesinger), very fine and fresh (Mi. €950). (Image)

1858 40pa bluish-lilac on bluish paper in strip of four, fine to large margins, tied to piece by "FRANCO / BOTUSCHANI" framed hs in light green (this scarce colour mentioned in Heimbüchler p.196), with matching "RECIPISSE" alongside, certainly the most spectacular example known of the greenish cancel of Botuschani. (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper strip of four with large to huge margins, cancelled by the very rare "FRANCO / MICHAILENI" boxed hs, which is one of the rarest existing on the Second Issue, mentioned in Heimbüchler as "RRR", used on part cover to Jassy, the most important Second Issue items bearing this very rare cancellation especially as no complete cover is known with this postmark. (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins showing parts of the neighbouring stamp at top, tied to 1859 cover to Jassy by the scarce "TEKUTSCH / MOLDOVA" 5/1 cds in blue, stamp overlapping the back with crease and split in top margin, a very rare usage from the second month of use, one of the earliest known, and cancelled by this rare cds of which we record only two Second Issue covers with this postmark (the framed "FRANCO / TEKOUTCHI" being much more common as a cancellation on Second Issue covers). (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, good to huge margins, tied to cover to Galatz by framed "FRANCO / FOKSCHANY" handstamp, with the modified ("Neutilizata") Fokschani cds at top right with "MOLDOVA" removed, cover with ink stain at right. This postmark combination is very rare on the Second Issue, with this being the only cover we have recorded (see Heimbüchler vol.1 p.179). (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins, tied to small neat 1861 cover to Jassy by the scarce framed "FRANCO / GALATZ" hs in red with matching 12/7 cds adjacent, blue Jassy bs, in rare "gem" quality. (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, good to huge margins, on 31.1.1862 cover cancelled by the framed "FRANCO / GALATZ" hs in black with matching cds adjacent, Jassy bs, margin of stamp overlapping reverse, very fine and rare in this "gem" quality. (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins, tied to 21.7.1861 entire by the scarce framed "FRANCO / GALATZ" hs in red with matching cds adjacent, usual wrinkles in the margin away from the stamp, cover splitting along edge at top fine. We record two main periods of usage for this red postmark; in November-December 1860 and July-August 1861 (see the three examples in this sale dated 12.7, 20.7 and 21.7). (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins, tied to 11.12.1861 entire to Jassy by the framed "FRANCO / GALATZ" hs in black with matching cds adjacent, red Jassy bs, very fine. (Image)

1858 40pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins, tied to 20.7.1861 entire cover to Berlad by framed "FRANCO / GALATZ" handstamp in red, stamp with some wrinkles in the broad margin well clear of the stamp, filing folds clear of stamp too, fine and attractive example. (Image)

1858 40p greenish blue on white paper in vertical strip of four with central tête-bêche cancelled by the very rare boxed "FRANCO / MICHAILENI" hs (Heimbüchler "RR"), horizontal fold in the centre causing some weakness mentioned for accuracy, and top stamp with tear in right margin of no importance as it does not affect the tête-bêche. A very fine example of a used tête-bêche, which belongs to the great rarities of Romanian philately, of which we have only recorded thee examples: 1) The unique pair on bluish paper used with "FRANCO" hs (ex Moldau collection part 3 lot 5032) 2) The pair in the blue shade on large piece cancelled "FRANCO PIATRA" (ex Leon collection, Robson Lower Oct. 1966 lot 1339) 3) This unique strip of four in the greenish blue shade and only tête-bêche multiple larger than a pair. (Image)

1858 80pa on bluish paper, large to huge margins, in bright shade on cover from Galatz 9.8.1861 to Theologo Frères in Jassy with arrival backstamp. The rare bluish paper of which only about a dozen genuine single frankings are recorded was in use during the period of the 9th printing (1.4.1861-1.9.1861). We record its usage in Galatz on five covers cancelled between 19th July and 1st August. For a similar cover from the Theologo Frères archive, see Tomasini/Künzi collection (D.F. Dec 2006 lot 20064) which sold for €36'000. (Image)