Western Australia Swan Issues

 Western Australia had lots of attention by forgers, Spiro, Panelli, Fournier, Treherne, Torres, Zechmeyer, Winter and many others. The iconic stamp was in great demand,

Genuine issues

1st row: 1d SC1, 1d Sc25, 1d Sc36

2nd row: 2d SC21, $d Sc15, 4d Sc22

3rd row: 4d Sc32, 6d Sc23, 1sh Sc24d

1861 selection of six imperf. plate proofs

Forgeries

Spiro/Fournier Forgeries

Easily noticeable by the flat bottom U and the lack of color in the head.

The W has pointed ends.

The flat bottom U is often described as the main feature of all forgeries. Quite WRONG as we will see.

These are by far the most common forgeries.
Full sheets of Fournier sold forgeries provided by Spiro.

However one should not be fooled into thinking all Fournier have a flat bottom "U"

The stamps below from the Fournier Genevs Collection clearly show both flat and round bottom U's

Panelli Forgeries

These are quite deceptiove.

These can be distinguised by the round bottom U and primarily by the hook serif on the G and the noticeably long bottom arm on the first E of WESTERN.

Torres Forgeries

These are easily identified by the short beak on the swan and the typical odd Torres cancels.

Treherne Forgeries 

Distinguished by the thick letters and staight line feathers. The G is misshapen. The head and beak are very narrow.

Miscellaneous Forgeries

These have a large eys, lack of shading and a white head.

A Taylor forgery with uneven & slanted  letters

A very crude forgery

A Zechmeyer  paste on facsimile