Bremen is a city in the north of Germany and was a part of the Hanseatic League
It was its own city state before the confederation of Germany.The stamps of Bremen can be difficult to collect and to specialize in.
There are a total of 16 (plus varieties) stamps as listed by Scott
Generally, identical plates and printers were used for issues over a period of years that only differ in the
separation method for the stamp which can be imperf, perfed or rouletted.
This brings about some issues for the collector and opportunities for forgers.
Depending on the separation and whether used or unused, large variations in values exist.
So, a trimmed stamp, fake perf or cancel can substantially increase the value
Mi 1 1855 3gr
The first stamp was issued on April 10th, 1855, its face value being 3 Grote and it was intended for franking letters within the town (Bremen), including Bremerhaven and Vegesack.
The stamps were lithographed in Bremen.
The key is emblematic of the independence of the once free city.
The paper is laid and the laid lines may be found running both horizontally or vertically, the latter being a little rarer unused and much rarer used.
Imperforate ( 1855). Rouletted ( 1863). Perforated 13 ( 1866)
Lithographed.
Paper: Colored, horizontally or vertically laid. Also on chalked paper.
Gum: Smooth, light color.
There are 3 types distinguished primarily by the central bottom loop.
There are other traits for each that apply for more than one type but the loops are different for each type. |
| Types I, II & III |
3 Gr Apr. 10 1855 Genuine Features
1. The genuine generally has a dot on top of the crown (exception below)
2. In some forgeries, the M & T may be joined
3. In the genuine, there are 4 small circled white spaces in the 3’s
4. In some forgeries, the B may touch the top or bottom of the frame
5. In some forgeries, the 3 may touch the frame lines bottom right. Note the inclined right 3
6. In some forgeries, the S is taller than the other letters
7. The vertical lines go slightly past the top horizontal line.
8. In some forgeries, the tip of the key touches the line above but not in the genuine
9. The thick vertical black shadow should be at the same level as the horizontal line of the shield
10. In the Type III, we have a diamond with a pearl on each side, this is reversed in the Type I & II
11. The top right 3 appears slightly tilted
Forgeries
NOTE- Sperati made several forgeries of Bremen stamps
The German State forgeries can be found in this BLOG
Mi 1 Forgeries - the forgeries are always the right stamp, genuine left
Of all counterfeits ever produced of the stamps of Bremen, those of the dealer Bredemeyer, from Hamburg, rival or exceed those of Sperati.
The impression, the design, the color, etc., even surpassed the original, and at first they were regarded as reprints.
Soon, however, the forgery became apparent, due to various discrepancies, but the expression “ Bredemeyer Forgery” has remained to this day.
Reprints of the stamps of Bremen do not exist.
1. Thick border
2. Smaller ball of the 3 that curls inwards
3. The diamond shapes are not as well defined
4. Vertical lines do not extend beyond the frame line
5. The corner is notched
6. White dots are larger
7. Left appendages are smaller and further away from the frame
8. No split in the line between the ME
All the Bredemeyer appear to be type II copies.
Fournier forgery (right) compared to genuine Type II (left)
1. Position of dot too far right - genuine are centered or to the left
2. Shapes wrong
3. Body of key too wide
4. No space
5. White borders too wide
6. Should not touch frame in a Type I
7. Lobes too small, on left side too large
8. Characteristic shape of “3” for a Fournier forgery
9. Top tip points out instead of down.
10. No break between ME
11. Thick irregular frame line
12. Sloping corner as with Bredemeyer forgery
Note also the white dots in the left 3 are very large
 |
| Fournier Block |
Peter Winter (Germany) made forgeries of many classic and rare stamp of several countries in the 1980's. He not only sold them as singles but also on fake covers.
He seems to have used photographs of the British Library in London to make some of his forgeries.
His forgeries are very convincing especially the fake covers he produced.
Probably the most telling feature is that they are all printed on modern paper and do not show signs of aging.
1. The ball of the 3’s top and bottom are too small
2. The diamond shapes are not as well defined
3. The key hole is smaller but the shaft is wider
4. The tip of the shield points to the center of the shape below
5. The key feature of the Type II is wrong
6. No break between the ME
7. The border is thick and irregular
8. The dots above the crown are a copy from a specific plate location
 |
| Peter Winter Bremen offerings from his catalog |
Note the dotted line above the crown
1. Distorted ball of the 3 with flat bottom
2. Very tall letters
3. Inclined 3
4. Large trefoil on the crown
5. Wide opening in the crown
6. Large key ends and hole
7. Tip of shield touches a large ornament below
8. No shape to the key type II feature
NOTE - this forgery was very common on auctions
1. The corner 3’s are narrow & small
2. Very thick top and bottom borders
4. Very short letters
5. Crown is very different
6. Tip of the shield points at the center of the object below
7. Letters have wide spacing between them & are more inclined
NOTE - this forgery is not common
Many features are similar but just as many are different
1. Thin and small 3’s
2. The top letters are much shorter
3. Tall S
4. The crown design is very different with a narrow opening
5. The keyhole is irregular
6. The tips are large
7. The letters are more curved and higher
Type VIII Forgery
1. The top letters are thicker
2. The crown is different and wider
3. The middle tips of the large 3’s are different from all other forgeries
4. No dots in the 3’s
5. The keyhole is irregular
6. The B is inclined and shaped differently
1. The top letters are thicker
2. The crown is different and wider
3. The middle tips of the large 3’s are different from all other forgeries
4. No dots in the 3’s
5. The keyhole is irregular
6. The B is inclined and shaped differently
1. Letters are very different
2. Crown has very large trefoils
3. Key lacking the notches
4. Lines in the 3’s are irregular
5. All the 3’s are different
6. Letters are tightly spaced
NOTE - this forgery is not common
Mi 2 Apr. 4 1856 5gr Issue
These were issued on April 4th 1856 in sheets of 12 X 10 imperforated.
The 5 Grote was to prepay the single letter rate to Hamburg which for reasons unknown was rather high considering the short distance.
There are 2 types of the 5g depending on the direction of the wavy background.
These were issued on April 4th 1856 in sheets of 12 X 10 imperforated.
The 5 Grote was to prepay the single letter rate to Hamburg which for reasons unknown was rather high considering the short distance.
There are 2 types of the 5g depending on the direction of the wavy background.
 |
| Type I & II |
5 Gr Genuine Features
1. The genuine has a dot in all corner
1a . Note the position of the waves which is different for the 2 types
2. We have a triangular object here
2a. There are 30 vertical lines of shading in the Type I and 28 similar lines in the Type II.
3. In the Type II the right leg of the M is taller than the left. In the Type I they are equal
4. The crown has a diamond with a pearl on each side
5. In type I there are 12 vertical lines. the first line on the left is very near the frame line of the shield or basically part of it.
In type II there are 11 visible vertical lines
6. Note the shape of the keyhole and the background lines inside
7. In Type I the top of the second “f” of “funf” touches the horizontal bar.
In Type II the head of this letter is separated from the bar. This is not clear in all examples
7a. In the Type I the bottom of the crown touches the wavy line but not in the Type II
8. The “F” of “FRANCO” touches with its upper spur the ‘r” in the Type II. In the Type I it is separated from the “r”
There are other differences in the letters between types
Unissued types
 |
| Unissued Types |
This is apparently a design submitted but not approved.
Others note that it was an error which seems more plausible given the quantities in auctions.
The printers apparently sold the sheets (220 X 120 stamps each?) to a stamp dealer (Bredemeyer?) so one can expect to see these in auctions.
They are often seen in blocks of 4 or 6.
These should only be found as unused and are valued at less than 1/10th the original.
Forgeries
Others note that it was an error which seems more plausible given the quantities in auctions.
The printers apparently sold the sheets (220 X 120 stamps each?) to a stamp dealer (Bredemeyer?) so one can expect to see these in auctions.
They are often seen in blocks of 4 or 6.
These should only be found as unused and are valued at less than 1/10th the original.
GPS Type V Bredemeyer Forgery
A very common forgery1. No corner dots
2. Small a and thin letters
3. Small G and other thin letters
1. No dots in corners
2. & 3. Letters are different
4. Keyhole has a flower shape
5. Thick G
6. Tall letters
Peter Winter modern forgery
1. Wave are narrower and more peaked
2. , 3. Letters are much thinner and different font
This forgery was made in the 1980’s.
It clearly looks newer given the modern paper
1. No dots in corners
2. This spur may be common to Fournier forgeries
3. Several letters are different. The a is joined to the r
4. The top of the k is further away from the frame
1. No dots in corners
2. Very uneven & different letters
3. Large crown
4. Large key
5. Flat wavy background
1. No corner dots
2. Large crown, very different shape
3. Odd shape keyhole
4. Flat wavy background
5. Small letters, k does not touch the frame
1. No dots in corners
2. Very crude small letters
3. Large crown
4. Key and keyhole very different
5. Flat wavy background
1. No corner dots
2. Odd shape a’s
3. Uneven wavy lines
4. Small letters
5. Uneven shape crown
Mi 3 1860
1. The tip of the M is outside the banner
2. There is a dot in the k, there may also be dots in the a and r
3. The vertical lines extend slightly into the frame
4. The ornament tip extends past the frame line
5. A large dot close to the e
6. The small oblique line extends through the key face. This is generally missing in forgeries
7. The bottom of the b is open
This recently certified stamp has a closed b
So is the closed b a genuine requirement???
GPS Type I Forgery
1. Letters are thick and different shape
2. The peaks of the wavy lines are not as pointed
3. The crown is much narrower and different details
4. The tip of the key has a round shape
5. The b is closed
6. The G is very different
GPS Type III Forgery1. The Fr are joined
2. Letters are very tall and different shape
3. No dot in the k
4. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
5. The b is closed
6. There is no end dot
7. The keyhole is oddly shaped
GPS Type IV Fournier Forgery
1. Flat wavy lines
2. Many breaks and artefacts in letters
3. Odd shape keyhole
4. Letters are very different shape
This forgery can also be found with a blotch under the c
GPS Type V Bredemeyer Forgery
1. No dot in the k
2. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
3. The joining line is missing
4. The dot is small
5. The t is narrow
6. The b is closed
Genuine Characteristics
1. The inner circle is complete
2. The right leg of the R extends
3. This fine line does not extend to the frame line as on the right side
4. The “secret mark” top left, at the bottom both curved lines end in a pronounced dot
5. The 5 & S have short lines extending from the top
6. The g rests on the frame line
GPS Type II Forgery
1. The R leg does not extend
2. The inner circle is incomplete
3. No secret mark
4. Very thick key
5. A very wide S
6. The bottom of the g is open
GPS Type III Bredemeyer Forgery
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. No secret mark
3. The joining line is missing
4. This key tip is very small
5. The ribbon end does not curve
6. Not dot on the line end
7. The 5 is thick and too closed
8. The S is thick and too closed
GPS Type IV Forgery
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. Large “secret mark”
3. Very large keyhole
4. The top of the S is almost closed
5. The 5 is very curved upwards
6. The bottom of the g is wide and the r is thick
GPS VII Torres Forgery
This forgery is not common.
There are few redeeming features particularly in the key shape
All letters are different and uneven
The background lines are thick and spaced widely
GPS Type VIII
This forgery is found in a black green version only
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. Short ribbon end with wrong curl
3. Cross shape keyhole
4. Strange cedilla on the g
5. The 5 is too small and the S is very narrow
6. Dot is present on other samples
7. No dot after the r
Fournier Forgery
1. Inner circle is incomplete
2. Wrong shape
3. Wide key shank
4. Large uneven keyhole
5. Ribbon curves wrong way
6. 5 & S too close to very thick frame
7. Large g & r
8. Narrow serifs on V
Unlisted Forgery
1. Heavy broken vertical lines
2. Wrong shape and no dot
3. Misshapen key
4. Large uneven keyhole
5. Thick 5
NOTE - this is actually a trimmed forgery of the Mi 15, the right ribbon has an added line inside as with the Mi 15
Genuine Characteristics
1. Heavy shadow around key
2. Dot inside the A – very faint
3. Large Dot
4. Note shape of letters especially the "G” and uneven spacing
5. Note the shape of the curls
6. Ellipse shape inside the “D”
7. Shadow of key touches frame in 3 places
8. Note the shape of the "2” particularly the ends and thickness of the foot.
9. A dot inside the “P”
10. A dot inside the top and bottom of the "S”
GPS Type I Forgery
1. No dots in the P or S
2. Very large letters
3. Large key with the top end cut off by the oval frame
4. No shadows around the letters
GPS Type II Forgery - image from article
1. No dots in P or S
2. Oval appears tilted to the left
3. Different letter G
4. Pointed ends in the filigree
GPS Type III - Bredemeyer Forgery
GPS Type IV - Fournier Forgery
1. No dots in the P or S
2. Large dash
3. The G is larger and the R besides it is narrower
4. The key end is larger
GPS Type V
1. Dot in P but none in the S
2. The M is a different shape
3. Both side A’s are very wide
4. The G is less inclined
5. The curls are different
6. The small pointed curves are missing
Unlisted Forgery
This is a very crude forgery with very few correct details
Genuine Characteristics
GPS Type I Bredemeyer Forgery
1. No dividing lines
2. Leg of the M no distorted
3. No shading line on left of 0
4. No bulge in the 1
5. Keyhole is more closed
GPS Type II Fournier Type I Forgery
1. Numerals are very small
2. 0 is closed on top
3. The 1 has projections on the base
4. Keyhole is distorted
5. Bottom of 0 is round not flat
6. No foot on the right side of the 1
7. Number of lines in the corner elements are different
GPS Type III Fournier Type II Forgery
1. 0 not open on top
2. No bulge on 1
3. Left leg of the M not distorted
4. No shading on left side of 0
5. Thick uneven lines
6. Middle stroke of the H is not inclined
NOTE - keyhole is not uneven as with the type I Fournier
Fournier would often offer a basic forgery and a more accurate copy
GPS Type IV Forgery
1. Top of 0 is closed
2. Lines in corner elements missing
3. No bulge on 1
4. Lines do not cross into frame
5. No shading on left of 0
6. Tip of Z extends too far
7. Key tip does not touch the frame
8. Wide 1
9. Small 10
GPS Peter Winter Forgery
1. Letters are narrower
2. No shading on the left side of the 0
3. Narrow 1
4. Shading lines are not distinct
5. Dark space is wider
Unlisted Forgery
1. Lacks detail
2. No bulge on the 1
3. No shading on the 0
4. No details very dark
5. Bottom letters uneven and too small
Unlisted Forgery
Overall very crude with few details of the original
Unlisted forgery
Forgeries
1. Letters are thick and different shape
2. The peaks of the wavy lines are not as pointed
3. The crown is much narrower and different details
4. The tip of the key has a round shape
5. The b is closed
6. The G is very different
GPS Type II Forgery
1. The top of the F is longer
2. No dots in the k
3. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
4. The b is closed
1. The top of the F is longer
2. No dots in the k
3. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
4. The b is closed
2. Letters are very tall and different shape
3. No dot in the k
4. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
5. The b is closed
6. There is no end dot
7. The keyhole is oddly shaped
1. Flat wavy lines
2. Many breaks and artefacts in letters
3. Odd shape keyhole
4. Letters are very different shape
This forgery can also be found with a blotch under the c
1. No dot in the k
2. The vertical lines do not extend into the frame
3. The joining line is missing
4. The dot is small
5. The t is narrow
6. The b is closed
1859 Mi 4
1. The inner circle is complete
2. The right leg of the R extends
3. This fine line does not extend to the frame line as on the right side
4. The “secret mark” top left, at the bottom both curved lines end in a pronounced dot
5. The 5 & S have short lines extending from the top
6. The g rests on the frame line
Forgeries
1. The R leg does not extend
2. The inner circle is incomplete
3. No secret mark
4. Very thick key
5. A very wide S
6. The bottom of the g is open
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. No secret mark
3. The joining line is missing
4. This key tip is very small
5. The ribbon end does not curve
6. Not dot on the line end
7. The 5 is thick and too closed
8. The S is thick and too closed
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. Large “secret mark”
3. Very large keyhole
4. The top of the S is almost closed
5. The 5 is very curved upwards
6. The bottom of the g is wide and the r is thick
This forgery is not common.
There are few redeeming features particularly in the key shape
All letters are different and uneven
The background lines are thick and spaced widely
This forgery is found in a black green version only
1. The inner circle is incomplete
2. Short ribbon end with wrong curl
3. Cross shape keyhole
4. Strange cedilla on the g
5. The 5 is too small and the S is very narrow
6. Dot is present on other samples
7. No dot after the r
1. Inner circle is incomplete
2. Wrong shape
3. Wide key shank
4. Large uneven keyhole
5. Ribbon curves wrong way
6. 5 & S too close to very thick frame
7. Large g & r
8. Narrow serifs on V
1. Heavy broken vertical lines
2. Wrong shape and no dot
3. Misshapen key
4. Large uneven keyhole
5. Thick 5
NOTE - this is actually a trimmed forgery of the Mi 15, the right ribbon has an added line inside as with the Mi 15
Mi 5 April 1863 Issue
1. Heavy shadow around key
2. Dot inside the A – very faint
3. Large Dot
4. Note shape of letters especially the "G” and uneven spacing
5. Note the shape of the curls
6. Ellipse shape inside the “D”
7. Shadow of key touches frame in 3 places
8. Note the shape of the "2” particularly the ends and thickness of the foot.
9. A dot inside the “P”
10. A dot inside the top and bottom of the "S”
Forgeries
1. No dots in the P or S
2. Very large letters
3. Large key with the top end cut off by the oval frame
4. No shadows around the letters
1. No dots in P or S
2. Oval appears tilted to the left
3. Different letter G
4. Pointed ends in the filigree
1. No dots in P or S
2. M thick left leg not inclined
3. Large key handle and shaft
4. Thick G
1. No dots in the P or S
2. Large dash
3. The G is larger and the R besides it is narrower
4. The key end is larger
1. Dot in P but none in the S
2. The M is a different shape
3. Both side A’s are very wide
4. The G is less inclined
5. The curls are different
6. The small pointed curves are missing
This is a very crude forgery with very few correct details
Mi 8 (1861) & Mi 14 (1866 )
1. Bulge in the 1
2. Lines extend through the frame
3. The left foot of the M is misshapen
4. There is a shading line attached to the 0
5. The frame line extends through here
6. Note the shape of the keyhole
7. The 1 has a wide foot
8. The 0’s have a flat bottom
2. Lines extend through the frame
3. The left foot of the M is misshapen
4. There is a shading line attached to the 0
5. The frame line extends through here
6. Note the shape of the keyhole
7. The 1 has a wide foot
8. The 0’s have a flat bottom
Forgeries
NOTE - I am not distinguishing between the imperf, rouletted and perfed variations of these issues. The genuine issues all have the same traits and similar forgeries can be found in all the issues.
Fakes of perfed or reperfed stamps exist but beyond the scope of this article.
Bremen stamps need a knowledgeable seller or certification.
Fakes of perfed or reperfed stamps exist but beyond the scope of this article.
Bremen stamps need a knowledgeable seller or certification.
1. No dividing lines
2. Leg of the M no distorted
3. No shading line on left of 0
4. No bulge in the 1
5. Keyhole is more closed
1. Numerals are very small
2. 0 is closed on top
3. The 1 has projections on the base
4. Keyhole is distorted
5. Bottom of 0 is round not flat
6. No foot on the right side of the 1
7. Number of lines in the corner elements are different
1. 0 not open on top
2. No bulge on 1
3. Left leg of the M not distorted
4. No shading on left side of 0
5. Thick uneven lines
6. Middle stroke of the H is not inclined
NOTE - keyhole is not uneven as with the type I Fournier
Fournier would often offer a basic forgery and a more accurate copy
There is also the case that Fournier sold forgeries from other sources.
1. Top of 0 is closed
2. Lines in corner elements missing
3. No bulge on 1
4. Lines do not cross into frame
5. No shading on left of 0
6. Tip of Z extends too far
7. Key tip does not touch the frame
8. Wide 1
9. Small 10
1. Letters are narrower
2. No shading on the left side of the 0
3. Narrow 1
4. Shading lines are not distinct
5. Dark space is wider
1. Lacks detail
2. No bulge on the 1
3. No shading on the 0
4. No details very dark
5. Bottom letters uneven and too small
Overall very crude with few details of the original
1. All the numerals are different
2. All the E's are distorted with large openings
3. The handle keyhole is larger
4. The designs outside the oval lack sections
Modern Forgeries
With improvements in technology and the rarity of the early issues, large numbers of “modern forgeries” are appearing on auction sites.
These can be found in the original colors and also variations described as “proofs” or “color trials”
They can be identified by the generally low price and how perfect they are for stamps 150 years old and the lack of paper color
The possible source may be what are called “Maryland Forgeries” or the new Asian providers
With improvements in technology and the rarity of the early issues, large numbers of “modern forgeries” are appearing on auction sites.
These can be found in the original colors and also variations described as “proofs” or “color trials”
They can be identified by the generally low price and how perfect they are for stamps 150 years old and the lack of paper color
The possible source may be what are called “Maryland Forgeries” or the new Asian providers
Addendum
3 sheets from the Fournier Geneva collection
2 Bogus items sold by Fournier from an unknown source - nonexistent colors
References
Germany Specialized.1849.1945.Michel
Germany States Vol 1, Muller, 1933
The Forged Stamps of All Countries, Dorn, J.
Altdeutschland spezial-katalog und handbuch, Grobe 1963
Bergedorfer postgeschichte : von den anfangen bis 1868, Karl Knauer 1961
Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps: Old German States, Hermann Schloss
German.Empire.Stamps. Poole
Handbuch Der Neudrucke , Paul Ohrt, 1938.
Handbok för filatelister Sigurd Tullberg.
Étude sur les Faux Timbres d’Europe, A. de Haene
The Serrane Guide to Stamp Forgeries
H. Bynof-Smith: Forged Postage Stamps of Europe and Colonies
Album Weeds – How to Detect Forged Stamps, R.B. Earée: 3rd Edition
650 falsche stempel und Prufzeichen BDph
German Philatelic Society Reference Manual of Forgeries
Fritz Billig: and Otto Stiedl – Großes Handbuch der Fälschungen, Bremen 1934
Klaseboer forgery CD1 2019
GPS German States Forgery guide
Bayern spezial katalog 1976 : kreuzerausgaben stempelteil
Germany States Vol 1, Muller, 1933
The Forged Stamps of All Countries, Dorn, J.
Altdeutschland spezial-katalog und handbuch, Grobe 1963
Bergedorfer postgeschichte : von den anfangen bis 1868, Karl Knauer 1961
Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps: Old German States, Hermann Schloss
German.Empire.Stamps. Poole
Handbuch Der Neudrucke , Paul Ohrt, 1938.
Handbok för filatelister Sigurd Tullberg.
Étude sur les Faux Timbres d’Europe, A. de Haene
The Serrane Guide to Stamp Forgeries
H. Bynof-Smith: Forged Postage Stamps of Europe and Colonies
Album Weeds – How to Detect Forged Stamps, R.B. Earée: 3rd Edition
650 falsche stempel und Prufzeichen BDph
German Philatelic Society Reference Manual of Forgeries
Fritz Billig: and Otto Stiedl – Großes Handbuch der Fälschungen, Bremen 1934
Klaseboer forgery CD1 2019
GPS German States Forgery guide
Bayern spezial katalog 1976 : kreuzerausgaben stempelteil
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