A Failed Experiment
Between 1850 and 1875, Spain issued new stamps in 20 different different years.
This was basically an effort to combat forgeries which resulted in generally low production numbers.
Between 1850 and 1875, Spain issued new stamps in 20 different different years.
This was basically an effort to combat forgeries which resulted in generally low production numbers.
The resulting high demand was a great motivator for forgers and completely had the opposite effect on preventing forgeries.
Spanish forgeries were aimed at collectors, especially the rarer issues but most were low value Postal Forgeries meant to deceive the government.
Up to 1900 I would estimate that some 300 different forgeries exist, far outnumbering the genuine issues.
The key difference between Spanish forgeries and those of other countries is their collectability.
They regularly feature on prominent auctions and can command some surprising amounts.
Spanish forgeries were aimed at collectors, especially the rarer issues but most were low value Postal Forgeries meant to deceive the government.
Up to 1900 I would estimate that some 300 different forgeries exist, far outnumbering the genuine issues.
The key difference between Spanish forgeries and those of other countries is their collectability.
They regularly feature on prominent auctions and can command some surprising amounts.
Sperati as we know, was more into quality than quantity.
His favorite countries included France (18 forgeries), Italy & States (34), Germany & States (31) and Uruguay (20).
However, for Spain he produced some 45+ different forgeries mainly of high CV stamps.
NOTE - the images feature the genuine on the left and the Sperati on the right.
1850
Sperati would generally use original stamps as his models so the traits of these originals are found on his forgeries.
The color of the reproduction is, generally, brighter than in the authentic one.
1. The line of the outer frame is attached to the bottom, just above the F of CERTIFICATE.
2. Two spots of color in the first E of REALES
3. Color spot on the right side of the upper margin between the S of REAL and the ornament of the upper right corner.
4. White spot in the background near the chin in front of the second C of CERTIFICATE.
5. There is a white spot attached to the lower right side of the 8 as in the original
6. The top left corner has a color fault and another one slightly lower between the frames
7. There is a defect in the frame line, above the letter C of CERTIFICATE.
The transfer position is 24, which is mainly identified by a break in the white line below the number "1" of "1850". In addition there are other less striking breaks in the same line, under the rosette and the left ornament. Small break of the white line of the left frame on top of the second "O" of "CORREOS".
1. Double serif in the left side of E of REALES
2. Break in the line
3. Bulges in the frame line
4. Middle branch of the E is broken
5. Left leg of A is broken
6. Bulge in the upper part of the C - also in some originals
7. Tiny white dot on the bottom curve of the S of CORREOS.
8. Break in the line of the outer frame on the right, above the R of CERTIFICATE.
The transfer type is the IX of the report block according to Griebert that is identified by the colored spots in the upper white line of the box, below 6 REA and the S of 6 REALES and the color point in the bottom of the curve of the C of CERTIFICATE.
1. Broken top frame line of the ornament box
2. White dash above the nose
3. White bulge in the upper left frame
4. Breaks in the top frame line line
1850 10 Reales
The genuine position flaws that also appear on the reproduction include the left lower rosette which has several irregular lines touching its outer frame and the bottom right leg of the second "R" of CORREOS" is broken from the loop.
1. there is a curved line running from the "O" of "CERTIFlCADO" to the frame line above
2. there is a break in the thin frame line just below the second "R" of "CORREOS"
3. The small S is slightly bigger
1851
1. There is a break in the top frame line just to the left of the "D" of " DOS"
2. There is a break on the curved frame line vertically above the "R" of "REALES."
3. There is a white dot in the center of the "S" of "CORREOS"
4. Break at the base of the southeast pearl of the fourth set.
1. There is a break in the "S" of " DOS" at the top, so that the serif is separate from the letter
2. There is a break in the curved frame line immediately above the top of the letter "R" of "REALES"
3. The bottom right serif of the first numeral "l" is severed from the upright
4. Break in the first 'O' of CORREOS.
5. Several hair lines in the center are broken
Reproduced by photographic methods from an original stamp.
1 White point on the head of "L".
2 White point at the base of the second "1".
3 Small "o" and the under point are deformed and closer than in the original.
Color is noted as Chestnut and Chocolate
Reproduction by photographic means of an authentic seal. Paper and color equal to the authentic ones.
1 Break in the curved frame line above the R of RE.
2 Color spot on top left ornament outer loop.
3 Break in the letter F of CERTIFO top stroke.
4 vertical line breakage of the hair.
5 The upper horizontal stroke of the E of CERTIFO
is broken away from the upright
1. The top horizontal stroke of the "E" of "DIEZ" is broken away from the upright.
2. There is a little spot of color at ten o'clock on the first "O" of "CORREOS"
3. The curved frame line is joined to the bottom left corner ornament under both the " R"s of "CORREOS."
4. Two vertical curved strokes in the lower right corner are joined
5. Left foot of A ends with a point.
1851 10 Reales Type B
1 Small constant white dot in the top left trim
2 Large break in top stroke of the F
3 E of DIEZ open at the top.
4 Breaks or weakness in the feet of ALES of REALES
5 The bottom left serif of the of E of CORREOS is broken away from the upright
6 The top of the R of CERTIFO is broken
Reproduction by photographic methods from a copy of an original 6C with the value modified.
1 Break in top O of FRANCO.
2 The lower bead of the rear set of the headband has an elongated rather than circular shape.
3 Cleft under the lower lip.
4 The outer frame line is too thick
5 There is a break in the circular frame over the C of FRANCO
1852
Type A
Reproduced by photographic systems. Obviously the differences are very difficult to see
1 Small protuberance in C
2 Notch to the left of R
3 Thinning under R
4 White notch in the oval behind the bow.
5 White dot behind the bun.
6 Breaks in the bases of the central lines of the band
7 Notch in the lower frame below RR
Type B
Reproduced by photographic methods. Very similar to Type 1, with which
it can be confused We will examine:
1. White notch on the bottom of C
2. Thinning in the upper area of R
3. Breaks in the lower lines of the band
4. The point after 2 is slightly triangular with the vertex downwards
5. Slight thickening at the base of the figure 2
6. Break in the head of the second R
7. The bottom edge of C is irregular.
Type C
Prototype obtained by photographic methods. It exists in a couple with Type D
1 Notch in E
2 Notch in R
3 Notch in the frame over R
4 Break to the right of the lower right decoration.
5 Small white line to the left of the first O
6 Break in the right scroll of the lower left adornment.
Type D
Reproduction by photographic methods
1 Absence of the baseline of R
2 Lightweight thickening at the base of the small S
3 Notch in the lower frame below S
4 Letter C of CORREOS open at the top.
5 Two white dots in the lower left adornment between the pearl of the vertex and the double curve of the adornment.
Type E
This reproduction was used to make pairs and strips of three and possibly larger pieces.
1 There is a diagonal break in the frame line above the R of CERT which is very clear on some examples
2 The C of CERT is broken at top and at bottom
3 There is a defect on the inner side of the right frame just above the lower tablet
1852 5 Reales
1 The top and bottom of C of CERT are broken
2 The top of the E of CORREOS is broken where the horizontal joins the upright
3 There is a white spot in the right of the D of DO
1852 6 Reales
Reproduced by photographic methods. The differences with the authentic stamps are minimal
1 The base of T is curved.
2 The top hook of 6 in the shape of a hook.
3 White notch in the inner area of the right upper adornment.
4 Break in the upper line of the headband.
5 Break in the vertical stick and at the beginning of the curve in the figure 5
6 Notch at the base of the number 1
7 The small curved stripe at the base of the ribbon is longer.
8 Small white point on top of the one that over the first O of CORREOS.
1 Cancel is always in the same position as shown
2 There is a break in the top of the C of CERT
3 There is a break in the top of the D of DO
1852 12 Cuartos
Reproduced from an original by photographic method. The 5 Reales was replaced with the text 12 C
1 The point below s of Cs is closer to the frame.
2 Notch in O of FRANCO.
3 Break in the base line of the band that crowns the head.
4 White notch in the circular frame on the middle right.
5 Break in the base of the E of CORREOS
6 Break in letter C of CORREOS and two color dots to the right of C of CORREOS.
8 The second R of CORREOS lacks the bottom left serif
9 The E of CORREOS' is broken at the top and at the bottom in the horizontal bars
1853
Reproduced by photographic methods. The identification details are usually hard to detect
1 Large spur in the upper left corner.
2 Small notches in the right frame of the upper cartridge right of the 3.
3 Break in the curved line of the neck.
4 The pearl of the oval in front of the mouth is broken.
5 The left top curve of the small s is thinned.
6 Double breaks on the head of the number 2
7 Pronounced break at the base of T with almost no serifs. Top left of T separated
8 Small dot of color in E
(made from the 6r negative with numeral changed)
1 There is a white spot in the lower right part of the numeral 3
2 The frame line containing the value is broken in the center just underneath the oval background
3 There are a number of white spots in the R of RS
1 Notch at the base of the number 3
2 Small point of color in the outer oval, in front of the chin.
3 Break in the union of the two pearls of the oval located in front of the small point of color described in 2
4 There are a number of white spots in the R of RS
5 The top end of 'E' of CERTPO is thick.
Printed by photographic methods. Identification details are difficult to deyect.
1 Small bulge in the first R of CORREOS.
2 The central E pole in CORREOS is curved.
3 Small white dot in second O of CORREOS.
4 The figure 1 in 1853 widens at the base.
5 The right inner frame is thinned at the bottom.
6 There are 2 indentations on the right side of the A of FRANCO
7 Thinning of the inner frame and connecting hairline at the lower left vertex.
8 Small bulge in the small s of Cs.
1853 3 Cuartos Type A
1. Spike of the crown touches the tree
2. White spot under top star which is open3. Broken line below left bottom star
4. Bear paw is open on the tree
5. Oval jewel in base of the crown is open at the top
6 There are dots in the top of the E of CORREO
7 There is a dot inside the legs of the R of INTERIOR
8 The bottom left serif of the F of FRANCO is detached
2. White spot under top star which is open3. Broken line below left bottom star
4. Bear paw is open on the tree
5. Oval jewel in base of the crown is open at the top
6 There are dots in the top of the E of CORREO
7 There is a dot inside the legs of the R of INTERIOR
8 The bottom left serif of the F of FRANCO is detached
1 Spikes of the crowm touch the tree
2 Bear paw is open on the tree
3 Oval jewel in base of crown is open at the top
4 Top of first I in INTERIOR is curved
1854
1. there is a break or indentation in the left side of the second "O" of "CORREOS"
2. there is a clot of color in the center of the back of the "C" of "CERT"
3. there is a dot of color adjoining the right side of the "D" of "DO"
4. there is a line in the shading below the lower right Castle
1854 Issue 6r
1. there are white spots in the upright and in the loop of the first R of CORREOS
2. there is a spot of color in the center of the right side of the numeral l
3. there is a small projection from the outer frame line immediately above the numeral 4
4. the bottom right serif of the R of CERT is broken away from the upright and the upper left serif of the T of CERT is broken away from the upright
1 There is a nick in the upper frame line over the numeral 8
2 The top left ornament is missing the small dot at the tip, instead there is a large hook
3 The bottom right ornament has a dot inside on the mid right side
4 The Thin frameline above the RL is broken in 3 or more places
Photolithographic reproduction of an authentic stamp. Very Dangerous
1 Small bulge in the second R
2 Idem the top frame above second O
3 Idem in figure .
4 Idem in figure 8
5 Color dot inserted in the upper margin of the shield.
6 Small bulge inside C
1 There is a white spot in the back of the C of CORREOS
2 There is a minute break at the foot of the first O of CORREOS
3 There is a break in the left thick frame line surrounding the upper left quarter of the shield
4 There is a gash in the right side of the horizontal stroke of the N of FRANCO
1 The tip of the upper left serif of the R" of FRANCO is broken off and appears as a dot between the head of this letter and the preceding F
2 The thin frame line over RL is broken in at least three places
3 The upper left ornament has the point broken so that it appears as a hook
4 There is an extra dot in the lower right ornament between the upper leaf and the center piece
1860
1860 19 Cuartos
Photolithographic reproduction of an authentic stamp
1 Left side of the first O is thin.
2 Break in bottom frame below the TO
3 The two short shades of hair under the left crown are fused together
4 The second vertical line to the right of the S of CORREOS is broken
5 To the left of the line dividing by half the anchor there is a small dot of color
1 Left side of the first O is thin.
2 Break in bottom frame below the TO
3 The two short shades of hair under the left crown are fused together
4 The second vertical line to the right of the S of CORREOS is broken
5 To the left of the line dividing by half the anchor there is a small dot of color
1864
1 The outer frame line at left is broken near the bottom
2 There is a defect in the thick curved line at bottom immediately below the O of CTOS
3 The upper curved line over CORREOS is broken over the first R
4 The first O of CORREOS has a defect at upper left
The cancels on these stamps are genuine (Sperati removed the design from a cheaper stamp, leaving the cancel intact).
1865
1 There are two white spots above the first A of ESPANA
2 The background horizontal shading is broken below and to the left of the chin of the Queen.
3 There are two white spots in the crutch of the N
4 There are white spots in the center of both "O"s of "CORREOS" and one between the legs of the second "R"
5 The outer frame line is broken at the right bottom
1 The panel containing ESPANA contains the following spots: one between the two lower horizontal strokes of the E, one each side of the head of the S, a raised hypen after the S
2 The panel containing CORREOS contains the following white spots: to the top left and bottom left of the C, in the lower part of the center of the O which has a tail at the lower right like a Q
3 When not over-inked, there are several breaks in the outer frame line at right, towards the top and towards the bottom
Sperati forged both the perforated and imperforate stamps
Frame for inverted head variety
1 The frame line over ESPANA is unbroken whereas in the genuine there is often a break over the lion
2 Between the frame line and the background below there is a spot of color over the S and another over the P of ESPANA
3 There is a spot of color in the curved white space over the P of ESPANA
Frame A characteristics:
1 There are colored spots in the back of the C of CORREOS and in the head and belly of the S
2 There are two colored spots in the curved white space below CORREOS, one (minute) below the C, the other below the O
Head A characteristics:
1 The horizontal lines immediately opposite the tip of the nose are merged at the left
2 There is a dot at the right of the third line of shading from the top
Frame B characteristics:
1 The inner frame line over ESPANA is broken in the center
2 There are two white spots between the ES of ESPANA
3 There are white spots in the background of the panel containing CORREOS, one before the C, one over the RE and a colored projection into the knee of the S
1866
1 There is a dot at the right between the ends of the sixth and seventh lines of shading from the top
2 The right chimney does not join the tower in the top left corner
3 The top left serif is broken off the R of CUARTOS, and there are defects at 3 and 7 o'clock in the O
4 There is a break in the lower curve of the floral ornament in the bottom right corner
1 In the rose printing there are clear breaks in the left frame line near the top, and in the middle of the top frame
2 There are two distinctive defects in the background of CORREOS, above the second R (not clear on the rose) and below the second O
3 There is a dot below the top frame line above the E of DE
4 There are three distinctive defects in the background of ESPANA, at the bottom left of the E, from the head of the first A and generally around the N, between the legs of which there is a white spot
5 The foot of the C of CUARTOS is thick and there is a slanting projection at the bottom right which makes it look rather like a G
1868
1 The key feature is the frame in the top left corner which is damaged.
2 There are white spots between the D and E, between the legs of the second A of ESPANA and to the top right of the A of CUARTOS
3 The bottom frame line is broken .25 mm from the right corner
2 There are white spots between the D and E, between the legs of the second A of ESPANA and to the top right of the A of CUARTOS
3 The bottom frame line is broken .25 mm from the right corner
1870
1 There is a small dot outside the design at left near the top
2 There are flaws in COMUNlCAClONES white spots in the upper left and lower right of the first N, a break on the inside of the right leg of the A just above the horizontal stroke, and a small break in the foot of the S
3 There are flaws in CUARTOS a dot on the right leg of the A, the tail of the R is almost broken away from the loop, and there is a break in the head of the S
1 The loss of white space between the horizontal lines of shading is very noticeable
2 The curved frameline at top is broken twice, at left and near center
3 The thick inner curved frame lines do not meet at the top left corner and there is another break to the right in the top line
4 There is a small stroke i n the oval frame over the E of E0
1 There is a projection from the top frame line outside the right corner
2 The outer frame at left is broken opposite the nose
3 The M of COMUNICACIONES is broken near the top of the diagonal stroke, the left side of the U is broken near the top, the head of the second C is split and there are four breaks in the second N
4 The C in ESCUDOS has two cracks in the base and a hollow end
1872
1 The color is red-brown and much stronger than the normal genuine shade.
2 There is a distinctive flaw in the shading immediately under the chin.
3 In COMUNlCACIONES, the the "U" has a cursive break on the right, there are three white dots in the diagonal stroke of the first N and another in the top of the right upright
4 In CUATRO, there is a vertical flaw down the left side of the U and a similar weakness in the T and there is a white spot where the loop of the R joins the upright
5 Below the P of PESETAS there are two small strokes of colour and two small dots below the first E
It appears the 4P was used as the base so some flaws of the 4P apply
1 In DlEZ the bottom of the D is shaved off and there i s a weakness in the top
2 There is a white spot in the upright of the E of DIEZ as well as 2 dots in the diagonal stroke of the Z
3 In PESETAS there is a white spot in the loo p of the P as well as a break in the first E and in the second E
4 There are two white spots in the head of the T
5 The last S is badly flawed
1 In DlEZ the bottom of the D is shaved off and there i s a weakness in the top
2 There is a white spot in the upright of the E of DIEZ as well as 2 dots in the diagonal stroke of the Z
3 In PESETAS there is a white spot in the loo p of the P as well as a break in the first E and in the second E
4 There are two white spots in the head of the T
5 The last S is badly flawed
1873
1 There are dots of color joining the two frames above MUNI
2 The line over 4 PESETAS is weak and broken as in the original
3 The foot of the 4 is curved
4 The A in PESETAS is has a break on the inside left leg
5 The heavy line besides the left scroll touches the frame
6 There is a white spot in the centre of the M
7 There is a white spot at the head of the third C
8 There are two white spots in the diagonal of the second N
9 There is a spot of color on the top right of the E
2 The line over 4 PESETAS is weak and broken as in the original
3 The foot of the 4 is curved
4 The A in PESETAS is has a break on the inside left leg
5 The heavy line besides the left scroll touches the frame
6 There is a white spot in the centre of the M
7 There is a white spot at the head of the third C
8 There are two white spots in the diagonal of the second N
9 There is a spot of color on the top right of the E
1 There is a nick in the upper side of the bottom frame in the left corner
2 There are two small breaks in the head of the second O in COMUNICACIONES
3 There are flaws in the background of ESPANA on the right, a white dot before the top of the E, a vertical dash behind the nape of the S, an extensive flaw between PA and a dot between NA
1874
Sperati made a forgery of the 4 P value both cancelled and uncancelled
1 There are flaws in the circular frame over the first N and ACI of COMUNICACIONES, between the 4. P and to the left of the 1
2 In COMUNICACIONES, the A is broken at the right, the second l is broken at the top, the second N has a heavy flaw at the right
3 Both the S's in PESETAS have distinctive flaws
4 There are many flaws in ESPANA, the most distinctive being the E which has a break at the left and flaws
in both upper and lower serifs and the P in which there are five white spots
1 There is a broken first N in COMUNICACIONES
2 The second E of PESETAS is broken at the top
3 The 1 of 1874 has a black spot at the left hand side.
4 The head of the E in ESPANA is broken from the upright
5 The head of the second E in PESETAS has a hook end
6 In 1874 there are two nicks in the left of the 1, the 8 is broken at the top and in the centre, there are white spots in the head of the 7
1875
1875 4 Pesetas
The perforations and the postmark are authentic. He used stamps of little value to which he eliminated the impression of the stamp
1 There is a white dot on the left frame at 4.25 mm. above the bottom square.
2 There is a white dot in the upper left corner of the upper right square.
3 There is a break in the neck overhang line at 8mm. from the bottom of the seal and 9 mm. right.
4 There is a small alteration in the color under the first N of COMMUNICATIONS and a break in the upper part of the second O of this word.
5 There are characteristic defects at the bottom of the lower left box.
6 There is a small break in the head of the first S in PESETAS
1 There is a white dot on the left frame at 4.25 mm. above the bottom square.
2 There is a white dot in the upper left corner of the upper right square.
3 There is a break in the neck overhang line at 8mm. from the bottom of the seal and 9 mm. right.
4 There is a small alteration in the color under the first N of COMMUNICATIONS and a break in the upper part of the second O of this word.
5 There are characteristic defects at the bottom of the lower left box.
6 There is a small break in the head of the first S in PESETAS
1 There is a triangular flaw in the shading just underneath the tip of the nose .
2 In COMUNICACIONES there is a crack on the inner top right of the first O, a white dot in the center of the M and a white spot in the lower diagonal of the tirst N
3 The most prominent flaws in PESETAS are the break in the head of the P and the white spot in the bulge of the loop, the bite out of the back of the first E, the broken bottom to the first S, the missing lower left serif and broken head of the second E, the white spot in the right top serif of the T, the missing bar and lower serifs of the A, the interrupted top and broken bottom of the final S
1878
This reproduction was made from a transfer from the 40 centimos B .
1 This reproduction shows the secret mark of the 40 centimos (open bottoms to the legs of the M) instead of that of the 4 pesetas (open bottom to the right leg of the A in COMUNICACIONES).
2 There is a white spot in the hair 4 mm. from the left and 7 mm. from the top of the stamp.
3 There are breaks in the ornamental frame, 4 mm. from the left and 3 mm. from the bottom, and 2 mm. from the right and 5.25 mm. from the bottom.
1 There is a small white spot under the moustache
2 There are two large spots of colour, one inside th e oval 6.5 mm. from the top and 3 mm from the right of the stamp, the other outside the oval 4.5 mm. from the left and 3.5 mm. from the bottom of the stamp.
3 There is a white spot in the oval frame immediately under the U of COMUN!CACIONES.
4 In most examples, the white of the eye is missing.
1 In COMUNICACIONES, there is a dot in the cup of the first C, a break on the right of the first N, a break in the head of the third C and the E
2 There is a break in the thicker vertical line between the oval and the left frame 7.5 mm. from the top.
3 There is a dot on the neck to the right of the A of JULIA
4 There is a flaw in the line over P of PESETA on the neck base and another in the bottom frame below the S
No comments:
Post a Comment
THANK YOU for the feedback. Your comment will be reviewed and appear on this blog within 24 hours
Do you have any pic to share? Use this code [img]your-image-url-here[/img]