Iran is a complex country to collect.
The first issues have cliche types, various papers, color errors, different perforations and a range of color variations plus not to mention, vast amounts of unauthorized “reprints”
Given that many have very poor printing, it can be very difficult to determine forgeries that outnumber the genuine ones by perhaps 20:1
In 1865, a delegation was send to Paris to look for suitable essays for the first
stamps of Persia. A French artist named Riester learned about that, prepared a draft and showed it to that delegation. On the lower right margin the initials of
stamps of Persia. A French artist named Riester learned about that, prepared a draft and showed it to that delegation. On the lower right margin the initials of
Mr. Riester can usually be found.
I have read that his essays may not have been well received due to a lack of protocol.
Right: 1865- Recumbent Lion By A. Martin Riester
Albert Barre, the French engraver of the 1863-1870 of France was commissioned to design a postage stamp for the country. The design of these stamps was based on the new Coat of Arms, representing a standing lion facing left.
Five copper clichés of each value measuring 18 mm wide by 22 mm long were prepared and clamped together to form a plate for printing the color proofs. Although five clichés of each value were prepared, but only four clichés of each value were taken to Tehran for the printing of the first Iranian postage stamps.
Sample Barre Essays Adopted
Value Identifier
This chart will make identifying the values easier
1868/1870 Bagheri Issue - 4 values - 1,2,4 & 8 Shahi
Genuine Features (Sc 3 above)
1. There are eighty-six well formed dots (pearls) in circle.
2. Lion's tail is tapered and has a dot in tassel at end.
3. Ground line on which lion stands finished short of pearls in circle.
4. Lion has large flowing beard.
5. Face of sun (above lion's back) is well defined and has four long rays.
6. Point of sabre touches sun's rays.
7. The point of ornament at centre bottom does not touch frame line.
NOTE the broken left bottom corner of the Sc 3, one of the Barre cliche features
Genuine set
1875 Rouletted Issue - the stamps shown have been trimmed fir easier view
In 1873 on an visit to Europe, Emperor Franz Joseph I, agreed to send advisors to Iran.
One of these advisors was Herr Gustav Riederer who would become the Postmaster General
Below Sc 11,12,13 & 14 issued by Riederer - the colors are different from the 1870 issue
The values have been printedunder the lion.
The base stamps have the same characteristics as the 1870 issues but the specific shape of each numerals can be identified as one of the 4 cliches in each value.
Note on the green first 2 types, the corners are damaged.
Reprints
There are basically 2 types.
The 1877 Official Reprints and the unauthorized Boital reprints (forgeries in my opinion)
The 1877 reprints were mainly for stamp collectors. They were never postally used. The 2 ch blue and 8 ch green were still in service and were not reprinted.
 |
| 1877 Official Reprints in 1 & 4 Shahi only |
Boital or Paris “Reprints”
Karan Boital (postmaster of Persia) around 1886 apparently brought to Paris the plates of the 1875 stamps to have all 4 values printed. These are generally on white paper with or without perforations. There are noticeable
differences with the originals so to call them “reprints” is very questionable. They are VERY often found in sheets of 10 or strips and singles on auction sites and sold as genuine.
This 1 Shahi may be a Boital but the swords are thick, there are dots in the corners under the platform and they are well made - modern forgeries?
Fournier Forgeries?
These are very well executed
Left, very crude looking lion
Right, very primitive overall design
Forgeries
Sperati Forgery
He only made a couple of the lion issue and as might be expected, they are
almost perfect.
Left, odd looking numerals, short sword, tiny pearls in the oval. The
source is unknown
Right, no explanation needed - looks like a child’s school project.
Perhaps it served as an illustration.
He only made a couple of the lion issue and as might be expected, they are
almost perfect.
There is a white spot in bottom left circle at lower right of the top right numeral
These are very well executed
They come from the 5X5 Geneva Fournier Collection
The layout and cancels suggest they are Spiro creations
Torres forgeries
These match his 1879 catalog perfectly.
We have an odd pincer like end of a thin tail.
The lion has a stern look.
The base under the lion is thick.
NOTE the 2 left ones match his 1892 catalog image on the right
Mottes-Sauerland Forgery (probable)
I do not have much information on this forger
The face is partly hidden behind the lion
The tail is very thin with a large color spot at the end
The sword is short
Left, Bogus stamp, the value 5 does not exist
Right, A very crude odd looking lion with few rays and tall numerals
Left, slanting 2 with odd crude face behind the lion
Right, the 2 is slanting more and many details are missing in top and bottom scrollwork
Right, very primitive overall design
The lion has white eyes
The circle of pearls is not round particularly at the bottom
The lion has a completely white body
The ledge under the lion is inclined
Left - crude lion and face, the numerals in the top are too low.
Right, this red stamp should not have an 8
Above, similar designs
Large tail end
Ledge extends to the pearls
Right, reasonable forgery except for the face, small 2 and very thin tail
End of tail missing, replaced by a dot
Missing pearl at 2 o'clock
I would like to know the author of this blog please as I need to reference this page in a journal paper. Thank you
ReplyDeletesforgca is adequate - thank you
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