Russian Empire

This extraordinary postal artifact, named the "Tiflis Unique," was issued in the summer of 1857 by the local post office of Tiflis (modern-day Tbilisi, Georgia), making it one of the earliest postage stamps produced within the Russian Empire. Printed on distinctive paper bearing the imperial double-headed eagle watermark and the coat of arms of Tiflis, these stamps predate Russia's first nationwide issue by nearly a year. The 6 kopeck denomination served the local postal needs of the city's urban correspondence. Only a handful of examples survive today, making each one a museum-quality treasure. This cover bears original period handwriting in Russian and a clear Tiflis cancellation dated 1857, documenting the inaugural year of local postal service. The Tiflis stamps hold legendary status in Russian philately — they represent the pioneering spirit of regional postal reform before the centralization of the imperial system. Their extreme rarity, historical significance, and connection to the diverse territories of the Russian Empire make them among the most coveted items in Eastern European philately.