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After a crushing defeat in the Poltava fight of 1709 from
the Russian army the bloodless Swedish army receded to the south. Charles XII and
the Ukrainian hetman Mazepa managed to run, and found a shelter in the Ottoman
Empire. In September, 1709
in Bendery hetman Mazepa died and the young Swedish king
camped in the Bendery fortress where as the guest of honor of the Turkish
sultan stayed for 4 years long. However, on February 12, 1713 between Charles's
group and Ahmed's III army there was a battle, so-called "kalabalyk".
As a result, Charles was detained and forwarded to Adrianople (nowadays -
Edirne). There the Swedish king escaped from the Turkish prisoner-of-war camp.
The exposition with participation of a wide range of
diplomats, scientists and journalists is devoted to 300-year anniversary events
of prescription opened on February 2, 2013 in the territory of the Bendery fortress.
In day of the beginning of work of an exhibition Transnistrian mail issued the
memorable block with the image of known historical characters of the XVIII
century. On presentation there were ambassadors of Sweden, Turkey and Germany,
and also representatives of embassies, museums and means of mass media from
Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova and Russia. In total about 50 people. From
the post management of PMR the memorable gift in the form of the block in a
souvenir cover, typographical test with the text "Sample" and a set
from 4 last perforated of series of Transnistria was handed over to each of
them.
The ambassador of Sweden to madam Tersman got the block No.
0000001. The first consul of Sweden bought for colleagues absent on action a
set of series in a souvenir cover. Other diplomats, delegates, members of the
government and their suite didn't linger also. All 50 in advance prepared copies
of First Day Covers were bought up and given away. Collectors, as usual, kept
up to the absence of philatelic production. I.e. were compelled to be content
again with crumbs from a lordly table. 
However, most attentive of them didn't pass the main thing.
That, on what still very few people paid attention. Namely, on an interesting
version - a red spot behind the back of group of officers with a dog, creating
illusion of the mysterious ghost living at walls of fortress. The version
turned out to be consequence of the insignificant typographical damage which is
hardly noticeable at artificial lighting which was by mistake "passed"
by printing house checking department. 
It is remarkable what exactly such block Madam Ingrid
Tersman got as a gift. Now the silent ghost of His Majesty the Swedish King
Charles XII together with diplomatic corps at last will return home to the
capital city Stockholm where will tell about stay of the owner in unknown and
mysterious Ottoman fortress on Dniester.
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