Romania Stamps
1939

Michel 570
"Birth Centenary of King Carol I"

Issued 10th Apr 1939. This stamp measures 42.5 x 26.5mm and was printed photogravure on watermarked 7 paper, perf K14¼:13¾.

The stamp features the Battle of Oltenita on 4th Nov 1853 and was the first battle of the Crimean War. The battle resulted in a tactical victory for the Ottoman forces, in that the Russians withdrew, and the Ottoman forces were left in possession of the town. Nevertheless, their strategic aim, to advance on Bucharest and drive the Russians from the Principalities, was not accomplished, and the Ottoman forces were obliged to retreat to their start position. The battle was exaggerated in the European press as a great Ottoman triumph, but strategically it had little impact.

King Carol I (20th Apr 1839 – 10th Oct 1914) was born Prince Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and was the King of Romania from 1866 to 1914.

The stamp is inscribed 'DOMNITORUL CAROL I LA CALIFAT' or 'CAROL I GOVENOR OF CALIFAT'. Calafat is a city in Dolj County, southern Romania, in the region of Oltenia. It lies on the river Danube, opposite the Bulgarian city of Vidin.