Albania 1913 Skanderbeg Overprinted with Black Eagle

Albania · 1913 · 10 Para

This stamp features a portrait of Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. It is an overprint of a 1913 Turkish stamp, featuring a bold black double-headed eagle, the national symbol of Albania, applied over the original design. This issue marked a significant step in establishing a national postal identity for the newly independent state.

Issued in 1913, this stamp was part of Albania's first definitive series following its declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. The overprinting of existing Turkish stamps was a practical measure to create postage quickly for the new provisional government.