US 1865-1880 Newspaper

 Some of the most beautiful postage stamps ever issued by the United States were never valid for prepayment of letter postage. They were used solely for prepayment of bulk shipments of newspapers and periodicals.

The United States issued its first newspaper stamps in 1865, but unlike most foreign newspaper stamps, the U.S. stamps were intended for bulk parcels of periodicals rather than for individual newspapers.

Private express companies could accept delivery of papers at the train or vessel that carried them and could turn them over for delivery from the train or vessel upon arrival.

In 1863, Congress passed an act that allowed route agents (postal employees who worked on trains or vessels) to accept newspaper parcels at the train or vessel and turn them over for delivery from the train or vessel without having to physically route them through a post office. Postage fees were paid in cash upon presentation of the parcels to the route agent.

In 1865, the Post Office Department introduced newspaper and periodical stamps as an accounting tool to preclude unscrupulous agents from pocketing the fees.

The typographed and embossed stamps were printed on thin, hard paper and were issued without gum. At 2 inches by 3¾ inches, they are among the largest postage stamps ever issued.

The stamps were large and colorful so that, like private express company labels, they would be easily seen when they were glued to large bundles of newspapers.

The striking designs were highly intricate to discourage forgery. Issued in denominations of 5¢, 10¢ and 25¢, they were sold to periodical publishers and news agents. This failed and the demand made for many generally good forgeries appearing.

Very few of the used first newspaper stamps survived beyond their immediate purpose. They were usually discarded with the bundle wrapper when it was cut open to remove the papers. This makes for many forgeries having fake cancels

Usage of the stamps was discontinued in 1869, and the old system of paying postage in cash was resumed.

The initial printing included
5c - 20,140 (PR1)
10c - 215,600 (PR2)
25c - 31,488 (PR3)
In 1868-69 another 35,420 of the 5c were printed (PR4)

Reprints by the Continental Bank Note Co. (PR5-PR7) using the original National Bank Note Co. plates were made in 1875 & in 1880 (PR8)by the American Bank Note Co.

The Original Issues

1865 PR 1, 2, 3

1865 PR 3a, 4, 5

PR 5 1875 Reprint, PR 6 1875 Reprint, PR 8 1880 Reprint

Forgeries

Based on the samples I have, there appears that in some cases the forgeries may have a common source.

One of the key features of forgeries touted on many sites is the tiny National Bank inscription at the bottom not being legible on forgeries - NOT TRUE

Although genuine copies have a very clear inscription, some forgeries are quite legible, some are blurred and others completely missing.

Torres Forgeries

These are far better than one normally expects from Torres so perhaps his mentor Usigli had a hand in them.

The fine lines around the heads are missing and there is no embossing.

Note that the National Bank inscriptions at the bottom are legible. However on the 25c, NATIONAL is spelled NAMONAL - a typical Torres addition.

Fournier Forgeries

These forgeries are noted in his album but they resemble many other similar ones from other sources. Fournier probably resold these rather than produce them. 

The National Bank inscription is completely illegible on the 5c and missing completely on the 10c

NOTE the crude head features as many of the following forgeries have the same features.

These forgeries have very rough perfs.

The bottom inscription is missing.

They have a particular cancel which did not exist.

The following were all include in the Geneva Collection of Fournier items for sale. It obviously covers many other partner forgers noted in this blog.

A NOTE on Cancels

The PR 1-4s were attached directly to bundles of newspapers and normally canceled with brush strokes using a thick black or blue ink that can often be actually felt on the paper.  This practice stopped in 1869 so the PR 5-8’s were printed after this practice stopped.  It is unclear how the PR5-8’s were actually used.  The PR 1-4s should never have clean cancels or city cancels.  These are found only on the the forgeries. A few have been found with railroad cancels but they are generally of poor quality.

These forgeries are very obvious

They have some bogus colors

The bottom inscription is not legible

They have city cancels of Boston & New York.

These do not exist as used ones were obliterated with large brush strokes.

The New York, Boston cancels identified well with European collectors.

Fournier made similar cancels shown below.

There is no question of this being a forgery or reproduction.

The word LICHTDRUCK refers to the printing method "COLLOTYPE".

These forgeries are fairly common and probably originated in Germany.

This is from the same source but without the overprint. It would easily fool any collector.

The background lines behind the bust are indistinct as well as the bottom inscription.

The right 5 has a flat bottom.

These forgeries are basically identical to the Fournier issues.

The heads are poorly designed.

The large Fac-Simile overprint is the key feature.

Another set with a facsimile overprint.

On the 25c stamp the overprint is almost invisible.

Removing them would be simple.

The background lines are very thick and they are not embossed.

This one needs little explanation.

The printing is very flat and the bust is little more than an outline.

A modern reproduction.

Very deceptive unless back stamped as a reproduction.

These stamps are very plentiful on websites that only sell reproductions.

Generally they are stamped copy on the reverse but removal and some artificial ageing of the paper would make it dangerous.

Spain 1854

 Designed by José Pérez Vareta. Printed in typography in the National Stamp Factory.

Size 20 x 24 mm. Sheets of 170 stamps imperforated. Shade varieties exist for all stamps.
It represents the shield of Spain, with the royal crown and the arms of Castile, León, Barbón and Granada, surrounded by the Golden Fleece necklace.
The first series consisted of 4 values in the following issued quantities;
6c – 13,930,183
2r – 78,210
5r – 54,827
6r – 15,394
They were generally printed on white thin paper.
The 6 cuartos was also on thick white paper
The 6 cuartos and the 2 real ones were also printed on thick bluish paper
2 reales was, likewise, on bluish thin paper

Genuine Stamps

1854, January 1 - Coat of arms of Spain

Genuine Features

1. Foot of 1 is longer on the right side

2. Dent in the chain link

3. Lines do not touch the edge of the shield

4. Dot in chain, other links have them also

5. Dent in the chain link

6. Right leg of N is slightly inclined

7. Leaf is detached

8. Several breaks in the line

9. White dot in center

These apply to the 4 stamps in this issue

Forgeries

NOTE - Sperati made many forgeries of Spanish stamps and they are not included in the yearly blogs but in a dedicated blog

Spain Sperati

6 Cs

Fournier forgery
Overall lack of detail
1. Spaces in “CORRE O S”
2. Large 5 in 1854
3. Center emblem is narrow
4. Dot under small S in CS is small

5. Crown is lopsided

Fournier 6 Cs. Full Sheet

Segui Forgery
Printed by typography on thin yellowish paper.
1. The head of 5 not as curved and thicker.
2. There are breaks in the lower chain ornament
3. All the leaves are shorter
4. The crown of the top right lion is has short spikes

5. The 8 & 5 are shorter than the 1 & 4

6. The legs of the N are curved

Spiro Forgery

Although listed as a Spiro, I have some doubts about the crudeness

Seems more like it should be associated with Zechmeyer or Torres

Graus Type I forgery
Printed by typography on thick white paper. It is smaller than the original
1. A colored frame surrounds the stamp design. - key feature
2. Lions have large upper bodies
3. Letters and numbers are thin

4. The crown has many breaks

2 Rs

Segui Forgery
Printed by typography on thin yellow paper.
1 Letters and numerals are too thick 
2 The blade in the upper right corner is short and not curved.
3 Pearls in the crown are too small

4 Crowns on lions lack spikes

Graus Type II forgery
Printed by lithography on thick white paper.
1 Wrong top inscription,
2 The design of the lions is crude.
3 It lacks the elements in the central oval.
4 The leaves are thick

5 No dots in lower panel

Graus Type IV forgery
Printed by lithography on medium white paper. Very crude design.
1 Letter C, O and S are very separate.
2 The head of the figure 5 is a thick line.
3 The lion of the lower quarter has no crown.
4 Lower inscription has tall and narrow letters.
5 2 is stylized and inclined

Graus Type V forgery
Printed by lithography on thin white paper
Decent forgery
1 1854 is large and numbers close together
2 There are missing lines in the castle sections
3 2 slightly inclined to the right.
4 Letter R thick and flat.

Graus Type VI forgery
Printed by typography.
1. Leaves are larger & mostly filled in
2. Number 5 has a very small head.
3. Shading lines in the scroll tops are missing
4. Number 2 is elongated.

5 Rs

Fournier forgery
1. Letters are thinner.
2. Serif of 1 is short
3. Lines of shadow of the scrolls of the left especially short.
4. Cross is thicker

Fournier Full 5 Rs. sheet

Segui forgery

Printed by typography on thin yellow paper.
1. The 1 is thick .
2. The head of 5 not as curved and thicker.
3. There are breaks in the lower chain ornament
4. The leaf blade in the upper right corner is short and not curved.
5. The cross is smaller.
6. The crown of the top right lion is different.

Graus Type II forgery

Printed by lithography.
1. In CORREOS, the letters C, O and S are very separate.
2. Lower inscription has narrow malformed letters.
3. The top of the figure 5 is a thick line.
4. The lion of the lower left quarter has no crown.
5. The leaves and ornaments are small and very thin

Graus Type IV forgery

Printed by lithography on thin gray paper.
1. The number 8 has the upper oval smaller than the lower oval.
2. The 5 tops are short.
3. The right foot of the lower R is elongated.
4. The leaves of the branches of the upper adornments have different orientations
than in the genuine
5. The CRE in CORREOS are taller than the other letters

Graus Type V forgery

Printed by lithography on thin white paper.
1. The serif of the figure 1 is short.
2. Small flat D in DO
3. The letter R in the value is thick.
4. The figure 5 is wide.
5. The C of CERT is lower
6. Bottom letters are thin
There are missing lines in the background of the castles.

Graus Type VII forgery

Printing by typesetting. Found in black also
1. Top of the figure 1 is short.
2. Number 5 in 1854 has a very small head.
3. The head of E in CERT is somewhat wider than the base.
4. Head of 5 in value has a slightly short stroke.
5. Background lines in shield are lacking

Zechmeyer forgery

Printed on medium thick paper. The color is intense green.
1 Top letters crude and joined
2 The crown has a very wide base.
3 Lions very different
4 The point is below O instead of DO
5. Lower 5 is inclined
6. The small S is oddly shaped

6 Rs

Segui forgery
Printed by typography on thin yellow paper.
1. The 1 is thick .
2. The head of 5 not as curved and thicker.
3. There are breaks in the lower chain ornament
4. The leaf blade in the upper right corner is short and not curved.
5. The cross is smaller.
6. The crown of the top right lion is different.

Fournier forgery

Printed by typography on medium paper.

1 The top inscription has thick and uneven type

2 The shadow lines in the scrolls in the left area are short and thick.

3 Vertical lines inside the castles quarters are very thick.

4 Number 6 is elongated.

An obvious copy of the prior Fournier 

No information as to the color difference as there is no color error

Graus Type I forgery

Printed by lithography on thick paper.

1. In the upper inscription the points are missing after CORREOS and 1854.

2. The drawing of the lions is very crude

3. In the lower inscription the points below DO and S are missing.

4. The leaves are very different

5. Large cross

Graus Type III forgery

Printed by lithograph on thin paper.

1. Top inscription has slightly thin letters and figures.

2. Lines are missing in the bottom of the castles.

3. Lions with very large heads.

4. Bottom of the C in CERT is flat

Graus Type VII forgery – printed in black (probably Bobes)

1. The 5 has a small top

2. Break to the left in the upper castle

3. The central tower the lower castle is open.

4. Many leaves have no inner vein

Unlisted forgery
An excellent forgery that would easily pass
1. There are several breaks in the chain
2. The shape of the lions has minor differences
3. Breaks in the crown
4. The small S is slightly thicker

1854. July 1. Shield of Spain. Stamps for the Official Service

Engraved by José Pérez Vareta. Printed in letterpress at the National Stamp Factory. Size: 18.1x22.3 mm. Imperforate. On each stamp is indicated (in ounces or pounds) the maximum weight of the object that could be posted.

Valid until December 31, 1854.

Quantities issued

½ onza, 678,000.

1 onza, 339.000.

4 onzas, 218.100.

1 libra, 117.000'

Genuine Stamps

Forgeries

Type I forgery

Overall a good forgery

Printed by lithography on thick yellow paper.

1. Letter C is elongated.

2. Color point on the left curve of S.

3. The bottom of the figure 5 is wide.

4. Castle background lines are thick

5. Large cross on the crown

6. The right side of the M is taller

Type III forgery

Printed by lithography on thin yellow paper. Rather crude

1. No dot after CORREOS.

2. The top inner scroll ends are very different

3. The lower lion lacks a crown.

4. The bottom of the 8 is compressed.

5. 1854 uneven numbers

Type II forgery
Printed by lithography on thin yellow paper. Rather crude. Same forger as above
1. No dot after CORREOS.
2. The top inner scroll ends are very different
3. The lower lion lacks a crown.
4. The bottom of the 8 is compressed.
5. 1854 uneven numbers
6. The stars are irregular

Forgery Type I
Printed by lithography on medium green paper.
1. Upper inscription has tall letters.
2. 8 is wide as is the lower 5
3. Almost no dot after ONZAS
4. Lower inscription has thin letters

Forgery Type II

Printed by lithograph . Very poor quality design.

1 It lacks the dot after CORREOS.

2 The scrolls curve the wrong way

3 The lower lion is crude and lacks a crown.

4 The left base of the shield does not rest on the frame line.

5 The base of the crown is very narrow

6 Top letters are distorted

Forgery Type IV

Printed by typography on medium paper.

1 8 is wide

2 The small scroll of the right group is almost circular.

3 The horizontal line separating the 4 quarters of the shield touches the frame line

4 Lower inscription has tall letters.

5 The letters of ONZAS are irregular

Forgery Type I

Printed by lithography on thick pink paper.

It also exists on slightly bluish paper.

1. Upper inscription with elongated letters.

2. 85 is wide and the 1 is inclined

3. The dot after CORREOS is too high

4. Lower inscription has wide letters.

5. The ovals inside the scrolls are shaped differently

Forgery Type II

Printed by lithography on thin paper. Very poor design.

1. It lacks the dot after CORREOS.

2 The ovals inside the scrolls are shaped oddly

3 The lower lion is crude and lacks a crown.

4 The left base of the shield does not rest on the frame line.

Forgery Type IV

Printed by typography on medium blue paper. As a photographic copy the quality is very good but some details are lost

1 Top letters have spots and thin spots

2 Break in left oval of the upper right scroll.

3 Notable breaks in the vertical lines of the castles

4 Lower letters also have irregularities

1854, November 1

The issue of 3 values was engraved by D. José Pampas and they were printed in typography by the National Factory of Timbre in plates of 170 stamps per sheet.

Thin white and bluish paper exist.

Quantities printed;

2c – 104,889

4c – 8,230,967

1r – 55,083

We can find very specific color , die and paper variations 

Genuine Stamps

Variations

Edifil 32 Type 1 & II

The Edifil 32 can be found in 2 Types with the Type II having a much higher value

There are differences in the paper but the key is the shape of the stars on each side of CORREOS

There is also a major difference in the color of Edifil 34 & 34A

Edifil 34 and 34A

The 34A Light Blue is not cataloged as an unused variety but used is 20X the CV of a 34 Dark Blue

The 34A shown above is a "BARRADOS" type. These are basically remainders that are annulled with a 5 bar cancel. The CV is quite low for these types.

Genuine Features

1. Note shape of jewels in the crown band

2. The ends of the vertical and horizontal lines do not touch the outside frame

3. 2 distinct lines in the scroll

4. Several of these sections have dots in them

5. Break in the chain

6. Dent in the chain

7. Broken line

8. Right leg slants inwards slightly

9. Break in frame

10. Left end of the frame dips downwards

11. Large white space in the castle section

12. Break in frame

13. Color blotch here

14. Break in scroll

15. Vertical lines do not touch the upper frame

16. Element has a break

Forgeries

2 Cs

Facsimile forgery

Printed by lithography in black on yellowed cardboard paper.

Original purpose unknown

1. Top inscription has distorted letters. The E is slanted

2. The cross lacks the top section.

3. The separation gap of the scrolls is Vshaped.

4. The corner ornaments lack the central arm.

5. The point after the number 2 is missing.

Fournier forgery

Printed by lithography on medium paper

1. The curve of the right oval in the left set is formed by a dash line.

2. The small S is slanted

3. Letter O of FRANCO is higher

4. Large space between the FR and AN of FRANCO'

Fournier full sheet

Segui Forgery

Printed by typography on white or yellowish paper, medium or thin.

1. Second O of CORREOS is smaller than the other letters

2. The lower right pearl of the crown is open.

3. The crown of the upper lion is almost nonexistent.

4. The top left scroll is not broken

5. The right leg of the N is tilted

6. The central horizontal bar touches the frame

7. The white dots in the chain links are missing

4 Cs

Fournier Type I forgery 

1. The curve of the top left scroll is made of dots

2. The letter C of FRANCO is thin on the bottom

3. The 4 has a curve in the horizontal line

4. The oblique lines in the large top scrolls are very heavy

Fournier full sheet

Segui Type II forgery

Printed by typography on medium or thin white paper. A very good forgery

1. The four pearls of the corner ornaments are small.

2. Broken left scroll of the left set, as in originals which differentiates it from the Segui Type I

3. The 5 has a small head

4. There is no point in the third ring on the right.

5. The bottom line has no breakage.

6. The pearls in the crown are indistinct

Type I forgery

Printed by lithography on white or bluish paper.

1. The figure 1 lacks the top serif

2. The tip of the upper left ornament is very wide.

3. The top right ornament touches the top line.

4. The right scroll is incomplete.

5. The lower ornaments rest on the frame line.

6. Lacks the point after the number 4.

7. Lower letters are uneven

Type III forgery

Printed by lithography on medium gray paper. Very bad design.

1. Lacks the point after CORREOS.

2. The base of the crown is very narrow

3. The lower lion looks lacks a crown.

4. The left base of the shield does not rest on the frame line.

5 .The upper left and lower right trim touches the frame lines.

Type V forgery

1. The first R of CORREOS is large and the S is shaped oddly

2. The 1 is inclined as is the base of the 5

3. Large cross

4. Large heads on the lions

5. The lower thin frame line is straight with no breaks

Type XV forgery 

1. The OR of CORREOS is large and the O is low

2. The 5 is oddly shaped

3. Large heads on the lions

4. The cross has a tall top

Torres Forgery

Overall a good forgery

1. The second R of CORREOS is wide and the right side of the O is thick

2. The vertical shading lines in the shield are indistinct

3. The bottom left corner element is different

Unlisted forgery I

1. The OR of CORREOS are close

2. The S is low

3. The 5 is short

4. The O of FRANCO is low

5. Lions have large heads

6. The cross is large

Unlisted forgery II in white or blue paper

1. The 4 of 1854 is inclined to the right.

2. C of CORREOS is more closed and the O is inclined.

3. The 1 has a thick base

4. The Cs is badly shaped

5. The lower thin frame line is straight with no breaks

Unlisted forgery III

1. Odd shaped S in CORREOS and the O is inclined

2. The letters are generally thinner

3. The top left scroll has a large break

4. The RR of CORREOS are shorter than the other letters

5 The 1 of 1854 is inclined

1 Lr

Fournier forgery

Printed by typography on medium paper.

1 The curve of the right oval in the left set is formed by a dotted line.

2 The links in the chain lack pointed spikes.

3 The background stripes of the castles’ cartridges are thick and irregular lines.

4 Lower inscription has slightly misaligned letters.

Fournier full sheet

The Fournier album also contains these forgeries.

I have no information on their purpose - perhaps sold as "color trials" ?

Segui Forgery Type I

Printed by typography on medium or thin white paper.

1. Broken top right of scroll left of the crown , as in genuine stamps. (Key difference with Segui Type II)

2. Numeral 5 head is short and thick. The bottom opening is wider.

3. There is no point in the third chain link on the right.

4. The bottom line has no breakage

Segui Forgery Type II

1. Numeral 5 has a large bottom opening

2. Top left scroll has no broken line

3. No breaks in the bottom thin line

4. The cupula of the upper right ornament is not broken

5. The NC of FRANCO is not taller than the other letters

Graus Type I forgery

Printed by lithography on white or bluish paper.

1. The numeral 1 has a short serif.

2. The 8 is slanted and the 5 has a thick top

3. The right scroll is incomplete.

4. The right lion looks like a dog

5. The last R is wide

6. The base of the crown is very narrow

Graus Type III forgery

Printed by typography on thin white paper.

1. letters C and O of CORREOS are larger than the other letters

2. The figure 4 touches the dot.

3. Bottom letters are thin

4. The white spaces in the chain links are too wide

5. The left hand of the lower lion almost touches the frame.

6. Small letter L is short.

References

Introduccion al estudio y relacion de los sellos falsos postales de Espana – Francisco Graus

Michel Europe West 2012

Spain & Dependencies – Edifil.2009

Focus on Forgeries – Varro Tyler

Spain Specialized Vol.1 1850-1931 Edifil Tome 1

Catalogo dos Sellos De Espana – Antonio Duro

Seranne Guide to Forgeries

Torres Catalog 1879

Las falsificaciones del Sello Espanol – A. Monne 1965

SPAIN FORGERIES 1850 to 1925 by De Haene

FFE #7 Forgeries of SPAIN

Timbrex – H. Schloss

Forged Stamps of all Countries – Dorn

HANDBUCH DER BRIEFMARKENKUNDE HEFT 6: CARLISTISCHE POST – H. NEUES

Album Weeds – Earree

Tedesco Forgery Index

Handbok Fer Filatelister – S. Tullberg

Guia del coleccionista de sellos de Correos de España, 1850-54 – Tort

Members of Spanish forums

Forgeries of Europe - Bynof