$84,700 Romanian Bull charges into Geneva stamp auction

The last known use of the rare and famous stamp will go under the hammer this week

David Feldman's spring auction schedule continues on Friday May 20 with a superb offering of Romanian stamp lots with no fewer than 20 Bull's Heads, with a comprehensive selection all the way to the 1950s. A small and rare offering of Angola with some top exhibition items follows.

One of the best Bull's Head lots here is unique cover showing the last day of use of the 'Bulls'. The 27p black on rose with fresh colour and full to large margins is tied to the famous and unique cover. It is expected to sell for €40,000-60,000 ($84,700).

Last bulls head use on cover

It is an incredibly important showpiece as the only cover known showing use on the last day of the 'Bulls' issue (31 October 1858) and has previously been part of Caspary's collection. Regular readers will know that the most expensive newspaper sold at auction is owned by Joseph Hackmey and that derives much of its value from the eight Bull's Head stamps it bears.

The France & Colonies section follows in the afternoon, where there is an attractive offering of the classic issues, as well as the "RM" collection of Zanzibar with a selection of some of the rarest stamps of Zanzibar, and the Goron collection of New Hebrides which is probably the largest ever offering from this South Pacific island group.

The auction takes place in Geneva and online.