King Alexander's Death Mask: A Murder Most Foul
An Eve of All Hallows TaleOn this Eve of All Hallows, gather around boys and girls, and let me tell you a tale....
On this certain dark night of June 10, 1903 of the Gregorian calendar, King Alexander I and Queen Draga of Serbia were ruthlessly assassinated by a group of Army Officers.
Would you like to see what the young King Alexander looked like?
King Alexander 1894-96 Scott 41 10p carmine rose
Opening
the gates at 2:00 AM, they searched the palace where they discovered the royal
couple hiding inside a wardrobe cupboard. They shot them in the early morning
hours of June 11,1903, then threw their bodies out the second story window of
the palace.
The king was 26 years old, and this was the end of the House of Obrenovic, which had ruled Serbia for 50 years.
After the deed was done, the stamp issue about to be released was overprinted with the Arms of Serbia on the ill fated Head of King Alexander.
The king was 26 years old, and this was the end of the House of Obrenovic, which had ruled Serbia for 50 years.
After the deed was done, the stamp issue about to be released was overprinted with the Arms of Serbia on the ill fated Head of King Alexander.
1903-04 Scott 70 10p carmine & black
Now
you ask boys and girls why this conspiracy was carried out?
Because the throne now passed to the rival House of Karageorgevich.
Peter Karageorgevich ascended the throne as Peter I.
Stamps were issued with the image of Karageorge 1752-1817 (The founder of modern Serbia), and King Peter I.
Would you like to see the stamp?
Because the throne now passed to the rival House of Karageorgevich.
Peter Karageorgevich ascended the throne as Peter I.
Stamps were issued with the image of Karageorge 1752-1817 (The founder of modern Serbia), and King Peter I.
Would you like to see the stamp?
1904 Scott 81 15p red violet "Karageorge and Peter I"
They
celebrated wildly the coronation of King Peter, and the Centenary of the House of
Karageorgevich.
But would there be a cry from beyond?
Would the deed most foul go unpunished?
But would there be a cry from beyond?
Would the deed most foul go unpunished?
1904 25p blue
Do you see what I see?
Perhaps you need to have it marked?
Is there no justice?...
You want a closer look?
The very likeness of King Alexander...
May He rest in Peace.
Awesome! O.O
ReplyDeleteI just check my copies, and in fact it is possible to clearly see a face!
Excellent post!
;-)
ReplyDeleteRubens, do you celebrate Halloween in Brazil?
In the U.S., it is a very big holiday for the children with all the candy they accumulate.
Quite the ghost story!
ReplyDeleteBeen following your blog...awesome.
I just purchased a used Scott International Volume I and Volume II in excellent condition (from around 1950?), and plan to continue where the previous owner left off. Will look to your blog as an indispensable point of reference.
Great David!
ReplyDeleteI have Part II (Volume II) also, and hope to tackle that after I am done with Part I.
Nice recap of this classic stamp... Happy halloween !
ReplyDeleteI'm 'afraid' Part I is already tackling me instead of vice versa! I plan to stick with it, though, thanks in part to your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteMy local stamp dealer (an ancient man who looks a lot like your avatar Franz Joseph I) said that he's only seen one completely filled in all his years as a dealer; paid $13k for it 30 years ago.
Thanks
ReplyDeleteSame to you Keijo!
David
ReplyDeleteI hear you.
Actually I'm sure it will be another 5 years before I could even think about part II. ;-)
Yes filled Part I's are rare indeed. But one has just surfaced. See
http://globalstamps.blogspot.com/2012/10/another-complete-almost-scott-volume-i.html
The date is remembered, but no parties like the U.S.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, November 2nd, is a holiday (Day of the Deads)
(: