Bergedorf is a small city situated at the mouth of the Elbe River in Northern Germany. It was not an independent territory, but was governed by Hamburg and Lübeck.
The postal history of Bergedorf began on June 25, 1859, when Postmaster Franz Paalzow asked Amtmann Dr. Theodor Daniel Kauffmann for permission to issue postage stamps.
On November 1, 1861, a series of 5 stamps were issued.
The motive of the series was a combination of the coat of arms of Hamburg and Lübeck.
The letters "L H P A" in the corners of the center piece stands for “Lubeck-Hamburgisches-Post-Amt”.
The stamps were lithographed by the printing works of Carl Fuchs of Hamburg.
The stamps were valid until the separate Bergedorf postal service was abolished on December 31, by Hamburg
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| 1859 Original Essays |
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| 1861 Color Trials are not uncommon |
They gradually increase in size according to the facial values, the lowest denomination measuring 15 x 15 mm. and the highest one 21 x 21 mm.
NOTE: genuine used copies are RARE
The CV of used copies is 10X to 100X times the CV of unused stamps.
Offers of used stamps in online auctions are possibly genuine issues with fake cancels or cancelled reprints.
Collectors should only consider certified used stamps
Sperati Forgeries
These are not common and are covered in a Separate Blog
Mi 1 - 1/2 Schilling - 1a 1861, 1b 1867
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| 1a & 1b |
There were two printings of “Ein Halber” schilling. The first printing was done on November 1st, 1861,the 2nd printing in 1867. Both printings were done in sheets of 2x100 consisting of 16 transfer blocks, each containing 12 positionable stamps (plus 2x4 single stamps of the same 12 types)
This value was printed in black on blue paper and it is the only one in which any color variation is noticeable. The paper chosen was of a pale blue tint but during the process of printing this paper ran out of stock and the additional supply obtained was of a much deeper tint.
It is estimated about 160,000 1a and 40,000 1b were printed.
There are minor differences between the 2 printings aside from the paper color
The 1b is slightly narrower.
In the 1a, the bottom fractions have a small dot on the right. This is missing or nearly invisible in the 1b.
Forgeries of Mi 1
Features of the genuine stamp
1 - Dash in ring below the E
2 - 3 full bars and 1 partial
3 - Dash in ring left of the A
4 - Protrusion between the wing and leg
5 - The distinguishing mark of the 1a, dots besides both lower fractions - not always easily spotted.
The 1b also has a thinner T and overall is not as sharply detailed. It is also slightly narrower.
6 - Slight bulge & break in the right side of the O, the black dot is a plate position feature not a characteristic. The S beside it is slightly inclined
2 - 3 full bars and 1 partial
3 - Dash in ring left of the A
4 - Protrusion between the wing and leg
5 - The distinguishing mark of the 1a, dots besides both lower fractions - not always easily spotted.
The 1b also has a thinner T and overall is not as sharply detailed. It is also slightly narrower.
6 - Slight bulge & break in the right side of the O, the black dot is a plate position feature not a characteristic. The S beside it is slightly inclined
7 - The R & K have thick right legs the protrude out further than the top.
8 - The leg of the N has no dot in it. The dot is present in the reprints.
9 - The spaces between DOR are very small.
NOTE the rings are evenly shaped and overlap. There are 55 in the genuine
NOTE the shape of the fractions, each one is different
NOTE the rings are evenly shaped and overlap. There are 55 in the genuine
NOTE the shape of the fractions, each one is different
Genuine always left for comparison
GPS Type 4 possible
- Rings are very uneven- BER of BERGEDORF larger than other letters
- Thin misshapen letters in the right &left frames
- Animal head different shape
- Posthorn different shape
- forgery of the 1b
- Large P in LHPA
- Rings clearly misshapen
- Only 3 lines in the shield top
common
- forgery of the 1a
- Rings misshapen and most not overlapping
- Wavy background lines are straighter
- Thin letters
GPS Type V
- A decent forgery- Top & bottom letters too short
- Posthorn smaller and different shape
- Animal head is close to the rings
- Corner fractions are smaller
- Only 4 long lines in the shield crest
- Very large rings
- Large griffin Head
- Only 3 lines in shield top
- Lower letters, narrow T, lopsided M, RK feet no extension
GPS Type I
- Thin letters- Dark griffin head
- Straight background lines
- Large rings
- Lines in top shield are horizontal instead of vertical
Unlisted forgery
- Very tall letters- Thin fractions
- LHPA has thin letters
- Central section lacks detail & shading
- No windows in tower
- Lines in bird all vertical
- Letters, lines, griffin, posthorn all very crude
- Letters, lines, griffin, posthorn all very crude
- Corner fractions large and wrong shape
- Straight background lines
- SCHILLING with E ending
- VIER instead of EIN
- Griffin head is white
- Shield is missing
- Odd shaped posthorn
The reprint was prepared for Moens
In the forgery
- The shield crest only has 2 short lines
- The rings are large and fewer than the original
- The RK does not have extended right legs
- The DOR have the same spacing as other letters
- The angle of the wing is wrong
Mi 2 - 1 Schilling
The design measures exactly 16 mm. square. This value was printed in black on white paper in sheets of 200.
A block of ten transfers was taken from the original die and arranged in two vertical rows of five.
As the corner numerals in the original drawing were considered too thick and clumsy they were removed before making the transfers.
The workman then had to draw in the whole of the forty numerals by hand so that small differences may be found. The workman inverted all the stamps in the lower pane so that each sheet provides ten tete beche pairs.
90,000 were printed. Of these 64,000 were sold during the period of their currency, leaving a balance of 26,000 in the remainders sold to M. Moens.
As the corner numerals in the original drawing were considered too thick and clumsy they were removed before making the transfers.
The workman then had to draw in the whole of the forty numerals by hand so that small differences may be found. The workman inverted all the stamps in the lower pane so that each sheet provides ten tete beche pairs.
90,000 were printed. Of these 64,000 were sold during the period of their currency, leaving a balance of 26,000 in the remainders sold to M. Moens.
Features of the genuine stamp
1 - Dash in ring
2 - Shield is blank
3 - Dash in ring
4 - Dots in the L
5 - Top of S much smaller than lower part
6 - Well defined crossbar in the A
7 - P indents into the O
8 - Secret mark dot
9 - Dot in ring
10 - Dots located here
2 - Shield is blank
3 - Dash in ring
4 - Dots in the L
5 - Top of S much smaller than lower part
6 - Well defined crossbar in the A
7 - P indents into the O
8 - Secret mark dot
9 - Dot in ring
10 - Dots located here
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| Proofs |
They are likely an invention of the Irish Shanahan Stamps Scandal and ponzi scheme of the 1950’s orchestrated by “Dr.” Paul Singer on the right
Forgeries
1 - Decent forgery with several genuine traits present
2 - Several letters badly executed, such as lower M, R, K, E
3 - Corner numerals very different
4 - Many white areas
5 - White space in shield is larger
1 - Very dangerous forgery
2 - Middle bars in all the E’s are crude
3 - Middle bars in the A & H are weak
4 - The LHPA letters are different and slightly larger
5 - The corner numerals are thicker
6 - The top corner numerals have odd curled feet
2 - The lower PO is not indented
3 - The feet of the corner numerals are more pronounced
4 - The tops of the right SC are flat
5 - The white space in the shield is much smaller
6 - The posthorn is a different shape
1 - The griffin head is different
2 - The genuine traits are missing
3 - The rings are smaller and uneven
4 - Several letters do not match in particular the S’s
5 - The background lines are uneven
6 - The ornaments above and below the EIN are very different
Mi 3 - 1½ Schillings
It measures 17.75 mm. square. In the original design the value is inscribed “SchillingE” and though it seems certain that a stone was prepared from this and a number of sheets printed these stamps were never issued and can only be considered as essays. The spelling was objected to and the lithographer had to make a new stone.
The sheets consisted of 200 stamps in two panes of 100, placed one above the other.
There are eight tete-beche pairs in each sheet.
100,000 were printed and as only 32,000 were sold while the Issue was in use the remainders handed over to M. Moens consisted of no less than 68,000.
Features of the genuine stamp
1. Well defined lines and eye. The eye is further down on the head
2. Dot in circle under “E”
3. Well defined top of tower
4. Dot or dash in circle
5. Dot in circle
6. Spike on the “1”
7. Dot or dash sometimes difficult to see
8. “Secret Mark”
9. No lines in the shield
Forgeries
2 - Rings do not overlap well
3 - Top letters are thin
4 - No spikes on the 1 of the bottom left fraction
5 - Griffin head is large and crude
6 - Left G looks like a C
7 - Background lines are uneven and too straight
This increases the CV by about 75X.
2 - E in SCHILLINGE
3 - Large griffin head
4 - Most letters are distorted
5 - Posthorn wrong shape
1 - Very heavy shading
2 - White space in shield too small
3 - Some numerals touch the frame
4 - Many letters are uneven
Winter used a lot of his forgeries to create fake covers
1 - Reasonable forgery
2 - Griffin head is wrong
3 - Spaces in bricks are different
4 - break in posthorn
2 - Griffin head is wrong
3 - Spaces in bricks are different
4 - break in posthorn
Mi 4 - 3 Schillings
The design measures 19¹/⁴ X 19³/⁴ mm. This value was printed in sheets of 160 in sixteen rows of ten.
Altogether 80,000 of these stamps were printed of which about 37,000 were sold during the period of their currency and the balance of 43,000 was included in the parcel of remainders purchased by M. Moens
The design measures 19¹/⁴ X 19³/⁴ mm. This value was printed in sheets of 160 in sixteen rows of ten.
Altogether 80,000 of these stamps were printed of which about 37,000 were sold during the period of their currency and the balance of 43,000 was included in the parcel of remainders purchased by M. Moens
Features of the genuine stamp
2. Lower leg of “E” longer and thicker than others
3. Dot in circle
4. Vertical stroke in “E”
5. Damaged M
6. Bottom of “P” attached to lower frame
7. 2 dots outside frame
8. Middle stroke of “E” generally detached
9. Several short lines in shield
The tower has many fine horizontal lines
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| Proof & trial color |
Forgeries
2 - Thick upper left 3
3 - Right & left letters are shorter
4 - Rings are uneven
5 - Odd Griffin head, spike at rear of head head
6 - White space in shield smaller
Peter Winter forgery
1 - Griffin head is different2 - No lines in the white shield area
3 - Genuine traits missing
4 - Letters are uneven
5 - Break in lower S
1 - Griffin head is white
2 - Letters are irregular and uneven - note 2nd top E
3 - Frame edges are uneven
4 - Lower S is crude
5 - T has a narrow top
2 - Very heavy shading in body
3 - Uneven rings
4 - Letters mostly thin and irregular
5 - White space in shield is narrow
6 - LHPA letters are taller
1 - Animal head is different
2 - Long griffin claws
3 - LHPA letters are large
4 - Genuine traits missing
5 - Letters are crude and generally thin
6 - Lots of large white spaces in background
7 - Very small white space in shield
1. Thin numerals
2. Bottom letters are uneven
3. Large griffin head and large claws
4. Brickwork in towers different
5. Too many overlapping rings
2. Large claws
3. The white space in the shield is smaller and has no lines
4. Letters are thicker
original proof left, proof center, forgery right
1. Small white eye on heavily shaded head
1. Very thin letters
1887 reprint right compared to original left
1872 reprint right compared to original left
1887 reprint right compared to original left
1888 reprint right compared to original left
5. Rings are large and fewer in number
The forgery features
1. The 3's are thinner
2. Bottom letters are thinner
3. Wing tip does not curve upwards enough
4. Rings are larger than original
Mi 5 - 4 Schillings
The design measures 21 by 21 mm.
These stamps were printed in black on brown paper in sheets of eighty arranged in ten rows of eight
Altogether 80,000 of the 4 Sh stamps were printed, 30,000 being sold while the issue was current and the balance of 50,000 going to M. Moens
These stamps were printed in black on brown paper in sheets of eighty arranged in ten rows of eight
Altogether 80,000 of the 4 Sh stamps were printed, 30,000 being sold while the issue was current and the balance of 50,000 going to M. Moens
Features of the genuine stamp
2. Dots and dashes in shield
3. Dot in “E”
4. Dot below frame
5. Dot left side of circle , may be difficult to see
6. Dots at the top and bottom of “B”
7. Small dot between claws
Note the rings are even in size and they all overlap.
The shape of the posthorn is often wrong in forgeries
Note also the size, position and shape of the letters LHPA
3. Dot in “E”
4. Dot below frame
5. Dot left side of circle , may be difficult to see
6. Dots at the top and bottom of “B”
7. Small dot between claws
Note the rings are even in size and they all overlap.
The shape of the posthorn is often wrong in forgeries
Note also the size, position and shape of the letters LHPA
Forgeries
1 - Thin distorted letters
2 - Griffin head wrong and white
3 - G in SCHILLINGE looks like a C
4 - Narrow wing does not touch the rings
5 - Large rings
6 - Corner 4’s are large and thin
1 - 4’s are wide
2 - Genuine traits are missing
3 - LHPA has thick letters
4 - Griffin & tower has dark shading
5 - 4’s are thick and wide
6 - Rings are uneven
7 - Most letters are thin
May be a Peter Winter forgery
1 - Letters are tall
2 - Large posthorn
3 - Uneven rings
4 - Large griffin head
5 - LHPA has tall letters
6 - 4’s are large
1 - Genuine traits missing
2 - Dark shaded numerals, griffin & tower
3 - Most letters are thin and short
4 - Small white space in the shield
5 - Large posthorn
2. Odd shape posthorn
3. Large griffin head
Moens proof
Very well executed but has the oblique fault line to right of the I of VIER and jutting out of the ring . This fault will feature in the reprints
4. LHA thick numerals
5. Rings are uneven
6.Claws wrong shape
- 39 rings around circle
- The head is oddly shaped
- The side letters are very thick
- The G's have flat backs
- There are only 42 rings around the circle
- The G' & C have flat backs
- The wing is too upright
- The head is small with a large protrusion
Very well executed but has the oblique fault line to right of the I of VIER and jutting out of the ring . This fault will feature in the reprints
Reprints
For collectors of Bergedorf the main issue is not the forgeries but the large quantities of reprints (actually forgeries)
Mr. Moens of Brussels obtained the lithographic stones of Bergedorf and made reprints in 1872, 1874, 1887 and 1888.
He gave the printing stones of the Bergedorf stamps to the Berlin Postal Museum (Reichpostmuseum) in 1894. According to B.W.H.Poole, Moens also possessed the cancelling device of Bergedorf, which was also given to the Berlin Postal Museum.
Fortunately they all have specific features to identify them.
1872 reprint right compared to original left
This chart shows the values and dates of printing.
Mi 1 Reprints
- The H of SCHILLING is always without the cross bar and one (sometimes both) of the A's in the inscription are also without the cross stroke.
- Dent in the top of the N in EIN
- Many letters are mutilated
- The rings of the chains are smudged.
- In the center shield there are only a few (two or three) faint lines visible.
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| 1872 Reprint Block |
- Notch in the upper part of the right N of EIN
- Less clear members of the ring chain
- Broken wavy lines
- Uneven, crude Letters
- In the upper ring of the chain a dot is faintly visible.
- The head of the griffin is without shading.
- The horizontal bars of the letters in the border inscriptions are badly mutilated.
- In the shield only slight traces of shading are visible.
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| 1887 Reprint Block |
Mi 2 reprints
- There is a vertical dash in the center ring of the chain on the right as in the original.
- There is a dot in the center ring of the chain at the top as in the original.
- The numerals 1 in the four corners have pronounced feet.
- The horizontal bars of the letters are badly mutilated.
- A short line slanting downwards has its beginning below the top window in the right wall of the tower.
- Almost no crossbar of the H
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| 1872 Reprint Block |
- The numerals are all smeared and much too thick
- Crossbars in letters are almost nonexistent
- Between the thigh and the claw there is often a dot.
- In the center ring of the chain on the left there is a dash.
- A dot appears in the center ring of the top chain
- Strong, thickened line to the right of the right tower as in the 1872 reprint
- Griffin neck partly lightly shaded
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| 1887 Reprint Block |
- The wavy linear pattern running under the design in the center piece is faded.
- The rings of the chain are very smudgy.
- The numerals 1 in the corners have little or no serifs
- In the center ring of the chain at the top there is a dot.
- A faint dot appears in the center ring of the chain on the right.
- All the letters are thick and crude
- The griffin has a white area in the neck
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| 1888 Reprint Pair |
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| 1888 Reprint Block |
Mi 3 Reprints
- The inscription on the right reads: SCHILLINGE (Original: SCHILLING).
- The horizontal bars of the letters are mostly defective.
- Under the right side of the tower there is a shaded triangle.
- The rings of the chain are smudged.
- A dot appears in the center rings of the top, bottom, left and right.
- The fractional number 1 in the bottom left-hand corner has a single upstroke.
- Smeared Posthorn and triangular to down-looking smearing at right part of the castle-like crest half
- The head is shaped differently
- Black connecting line right at the top of the fraction number 1 in the upper left
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| 1872 Reprint Pair |
- Denomination reads SHILLINGE
- Spikes in lower left 1 of fraction are barely visible
- Smeared Posthorn and triangular pointing downward blotch at the bottom right of the castle
- Wavy lines are unclear, some with significant breaks
- Side letters are thinner
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| 1887 Reprint Pair |
Mi 4 Reprints
The label measures 191/4 X 191/2 mm.
- It can be at once distinguished by the absence of shading on the head of the griffin.
- Above the R of DREI, between the two frame lines, there are two dots.
- There is a dot above the second E of BERGEDORF
- The middle section of the S of POSTMARKE is thin.
- There is a black spot in the right loop of the letter S in POSTMARKE
- In the center ring of the chain on the right there is a dot.
- Broken wavy lines
- Animal head partially bright
- Blue line runs through the top of SCHILLINGE
The label measures 191/4 X 191/2 mm.
- It can be at once distinguished by the absence of shading on the head of the griffon.
- Above the R of DREI, between the two frame lines, there are two dots.
- There is a dot above the second E of BERGEDORF
- The middle section of the S of POSTMARKE is thin.
- There is a black spot in the right loop of the letter S in POSTMARKE
- In the center ring of the chain on the right there is a dot.
- Broken wavy lines
- Griffin head partially bright
- Blue line runs through the top of SCHILLINGE
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| 1887 Reprint Pair |
- The C has a narrow extension protruding left
- Wavy lines barely visible and they have many breaks
- Breaks in the right side of the M are missing
- Griffin head partially bright
- The middle bars of the top E’s are very small
- The OS of POST are shorter than other letters
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| 1888 Reprint Pair |
Mi 5 Reprints
Measures 21 by 203/4 mm.
- In the vertical limb of the E in POSTMARKE there is a dot.
- An oblique line, pointing upward emanates from the center ring of the chain on the left. In this ring there is also a dot.
- At the bottom of the second I of SCHILLINGE there is a dot.
- A dot may also be found in the foot of the vertical limb of the P of POSTMARKE
- The letters BE in BERGEDORF are very close together. The letters RG are welded together.
- In the vertical limb of the "B" in "BERGEDORF" there are two dots; one at the top and one at the bottom.
- The neck of the griffin is not shaded.
- A vertical line on the head of the animal
- Numerous breaks in the wavy lines of the background.
- The upper part of the coat of arms is without shading .
- The left upper part of the M in POSTMARKE is notched.
- There is a small black line protruding the griffin's mouth.
- The ring of the chain over the "P" in the lower left corner is broken.
- There is an oblique line by the I of VIER
- The letters of BERGEDORF are very irregular
- The background is very rough and lines are broken.
- Smeared very uneven letters
- Neck and head of griffin has white sections
- Dot in the second I of SHILLINGE
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| 1887 Reprint Pair |
References
-Germany States - Muller 1933
-Handbuch der Posttreimarkenkunde·Altdeutsche Staaten -Hugo Krotzsch 1896
-Germany States - Poole 1891
-Forged Postage Stamps of Europe and Colonieis - H. Bynof-Smith:
-Klaseboer Forgery CD 2019
-Germany States Forgeries - Hermann Schloss 1930
-Germany States GPS Forgeries
-Handbok för filatelister Sigurd Tullberg.
-Altdeutschland spezial-katalog und handbuch, Grobe 1963
-Album Weeds Earee
-Bergedorfer postgeschichte : von den anfangen bis 1868, Karl Knauer 1961
-Étude sur les Faux Timbres d’Europe, A. de Haene
-Timbrex - Schloss 1944
-Seranne Forgeries
-650 falsche stempel und Prufzeichen BDph
-Early Forged Stamps - Pemberton
-Forged Stamps All Countries - Dorn
-Fakes & Forgeries of Germany & Colonies - Germany Philatelic Society Inc, 1966
-Various Billigs catalogs - 1930's
-Forgeries Old and New - A. Johnson
-Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps - Schloss Hermann
-Michel Specialized Germany - 2016
-Images from personal collection, public auction sites and Germany forum members.
Particular thanks to Nelson L. (Stampforgeries.ca) for past help and whose files & articles were provided,
Gerhard Lang for his assistance in identifying Torres stamps
Addendum
Forgery
GPS Type II forgery
The 3's are too thick
The head is large ang almost touches the rings
The right tower touches the rings
The posthorn is large & poorly drawn
The secret mark dot in ring besides the 2nd L id missing
Many other letter and ring issues
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