Bulgarian Stamps? - Which Ones?

We had an "unknown" night at the local stamp club meeting recently whereby the grizzled veterans of 40-50 years experience would identify a stamp of puzzling origin.

I brought two stamps that I have not been able to identify.


Unknown one

This is what I know...

This stamp has a 1915-1917 date, so should be helpful to find in a catalogue.

The guys were quite certain it is a Bulgarian stamp.

We were unable to find the stamp in the 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue.


Unknown two

This stamp has a 1916 date.

Again it is thought to be a Bulgarian stamp.

Not found in the 2011 Scott Classic catalogue.

So can the SCF "club" provide the answers?

TOP STAMP:

See the note after Bulgaria #127(1917) in the Scott catalog. This is the 1 lev stamp that was prepared but never issued.

BOTTOM STAMP:

Also not formally issued and not in Scott. I think it is listed in one of the other catalogs. Let me see if I can find it.

It is mentioned in Scott. See the footnote after Bulgaria #157.

Bottom was unissued, intended to celebrate the liberation of Macedonia.

OK, both stamps are listed in Michel. They are listed after Bulgaria #248. They are assigned catalog IDs of Bulgaria V (top stamp) and IV (bottom stamp), respectively. "Date of Issue" is given as Nov1931.

I have to agree I think the second one is Bulgaria as well, but can't see it in my 2003 Scotts. I love the bullet border.

I think that exercise is a great idea, except 98% of my club are 'grizzled' veterans. I just came back form my meeting and one gentleman was given an award for his 50 years in the club. He's member #10! I'm 298.

A snippet from Michel (nobody report me, please )

Thanks to khj, cjd and jamesw, the mystery is (mostly) solved.

I did find the notes in the Scott that khj mentioned.

As stated, these stamps were intended as a commemoration of the Liberation of Macedonia. The 1 L dark green is valued at $1.75. Scott states it was prepared, but not issued. Other stamps in the series were released in 1917-19 (Scott 122-127).

According to Scott's note, yet another group of stamps commemorating the Liberation of Macedonia was intended to be released in 1915, but in fact was delayed until 1921 (Scott 153-157). Scott states the 50s violet was prepared, but not put in use. Value $1.75

Finally, Michel has both of these stamps (the 50s and the 1 L) with a release date of November, 1931.

So one catalogue is probably correct.

I believe at least the 50s stamp is known to exist in genuine postally used condition, although I have never seen it.