Romania stamps year 1880 – 1910 Revenue stamps, Pay Tax

Romania stamps year 1880 – 1910 Revenue stamps, Pay Tax

Between 1870 and 1900, Romania issued several postage stamps featuring Prince Karl (Carol) I, who became the ruling prince (Domnitor) in 1866 and was proclaimed King Carol I in 1881.

Romania Postage Stamps Featuring Prince Carol I (1870–1900)

Design and Appearance:

• Early stamps from the 1870s show Prince Carol I with a beard, depicted mostly in profile or three-quarter views.
• The stamps were engraved by S. Sander and printed imperforate.
• The portrait of Prince Carol I is the central motif, often framed in an oval or decorative border.
• Colors varied widely, including carmine, yellow, blue, ultramarine, prussian blue, red, brownish, and combinations such as blue/red.

Key Issues:

• The 1870–1879 series includes denominations such as 5B, 10B, 15B, 25B, and 50B, with multiple color variants and paper types (including striped paper).
• These stamps were imperforate and printed without watermarks.
• Notable catalog numbers include Scott 29 to Scott 34 for the 1870s issues.
• In 1881, after Romania became a kingdom, stamps began to depict Carol as King rather than Prince, but the earlier issues remain significant for the period when he was Prince.

Historical Context:

• Carol I was from the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family and was appointed Domnitor in 1866.
• Romania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877–78, and Carol I was crowned king in 1881.
• His reign marked a period of modernization and national consolidation.