I was looking for the 1945 materials collection overprints (Mi # 468/70) on covers when I came across the following item. Not exactly a beautiful cover with the cancel going off the edge before hitting the stamp, but the price was low so I decided to add it to my collection anyway...
| However, inside the cover
was a letter far more interesting than the cover itself. The letter was
sent in October 1947 from a stamp dealer in Sofia to members of various
US philatelic societies, offering to trade Bulgarian stamps against food,
shoes and clothing. It is both a fascinating and a tragical documentation
of the difficult times in Bulgaria after WW-2!! The following is a transcript of the letter: |
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SOFIA (BULGARIA) P. O. BOX 671 |
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Being equally a member of your Society, I am taking this opportunity of writing to you asking if you are willing to enter into stamp exchange relations with me. To this effect, I am placing before yourself the following alternative proposals, viz.:
1) Exchange of Packets (all different used Bulgarian Stamps) also Bulgarian Stamps of recent issues in complete mint sets (as per Scott 1947) AGAINST unused, presently circulated USA stamps at face &/or complete sets of the newest AIR MAIL ISSUES of the whole WORLD, UNUSED and at face.
| 50 all diff.-
9 c
100 " " - 20 c |
200 all diff. - 50 c
300 " " - $ 2.50 |
400 all diff. - $ 7.50
500 " " - $ 11.00 |
|
(358/9) 100 y.post.stamp... 48 c
(360/3) Dobrudja ......... 26 " (390/2) Christo Boteff ... 18 " (394/8) United Bulgaria .. 45 " 1945 Loans(I & II)(8)..$ 2.00 1945 Victory Day (2) .. 18 c 1945 Liberation (7) ... 60 " 1945 Air Mail (6) ..... 50 " 1945 Red Cross I (8)... 65 " 1946 Air Mail (13) .... 90 " 1946 Post Savings (4).. 35 " 1946 Home Def.War (11). 46 " |
(400/4) Labor & Joy ........ 17 c
(411/6) Disabled .......... 17 " (417/30) Historicals ...... 58 " (433/7) Mourn.King (A & B). 34 " 1946 Rilo-Monastery (5). 35 " 1946 Bulg.Republic(3) .. 16 " 1946 Partisans (7) ..... 28 " 1946 Winter Aid (8) .... 35 " 1946 Red Cross II(8).... 55 " 1947 Peace (3) ......... 7 " 1947 CIPEX (Air Mail)(1). 25 " 1947 Esperanto (1) ..... 7 " 1947 Exhibition Plovdiv(4) 14 " |
2) Owing to shortage of food and wearing apparel we are being faced with a present, I am proposing the following exchange:
a) against shipment of a parcel containing: 5 lbs.pure(non sweetened) cocoa, 3 lbs.Chocolate Bars & 3 lbs. of raw Coffee(all fine qualities) I shall send you either packet material &/or Bulgarian stamps as listed above and at your own choice, having a value of $ 15, or
b) against your parcel computed of: 1 lb. Black Pepper in grains, 2 lbs. condensed Milk, 2 lbs. powdered Eggs and 5 cakes of Toilet-Soap, I'll send you Bulgarian Stamps valued at $ 6, or
c) against ONE pair of strong men's leather shoes, leather- or first class rubber-soled, sized 6 to 9, stamps valued at $ 9, or
d) against ONE pair of ladies' shoes-as under item c) - for $ 4, or
e) against 4 pairs of genuine NYLON-Stocking, stamps for $ 14, or
f) against 3.20 meters (4 yards) of All Wool cloth for men's suitings I'll send you Bulgarian Stamps values at $ 24.
3) Against new or used, but well preserved wearing apparel, as for instance Ladies' & Men's Overcoats, Dresses & Suits, Hoisery-Underwear, Shirts, Towels, Handkerchiefs, Bedlinen &tc, I would allow you a discount up to 50 % off above stamps & prices, according to prices which you will ask for the articles suppliable by yourself.
Looking forwards receipt of your early airmailed reply, and possible first trial shipment, I am, Dear Sir,
Very truly yours
A. F U D U L A K I
References:
Zumstein & Cie - Berne
Alexandre Krauz-Tanger-2 Calle Sanlucar.
Henry Newman - Barcelona - Villaroel, 71
F.W.Kessler-New York City-500 Fifth Ave.
Stamp Import & Exp.Corp.-New York 18, N.Y.-130 W.42nd St.
Lincoln Stamp Shop-St.Albans 11,N.Y.-116-51,218th St.
&tc. &tc.
Let us hope that Mr. Fundulaki received positive response to his proposals....