Brazil was the first of the Americas, and the second in the World, to adopt the use of postage stamps.
It appears that a Brazilian consul, Mr. J. D. Sturz, who was stationed in a European town, comprehended its importance, and used all his influence at home to get it tried there.
The original idea was to reproduce, like in England, the effigy of the sovereign, however the director of the National Printing Press was concerned that the cancellation could be considered disrespectful.
The first set (1843) is also known as the Bull's Eyes (Olho-de-boi in Spanish)
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| Genuine Originals |
Jean-Baptiste Moens, the pioneer Belgian dealer, in his journal Le Timbre-Poste notes that the Bull’s Eyes were engraved by Srs. Carlos Custodio de Azevedo and Quintino José de Faria, engravers to the Mint, and were printed on a machine press by Srs. Clementino Geraldo de Gonviea and Florentine Rodriguez Prado at the workshops of the National Treasury.
Because of their poor endurance the copper plates suffered frequent damage, They were often returned to the workshop for repairs.
Retouches were done by hand with a chisel on the plates and rollers producing many stamps with printing varieties.
The stamps are often described as being Early, Intermediate and Late printing but it appears this may be misleading. The differences are probably due more to inking.
Below, samples of 'Early & Late"
Quantity sold
30R - 856,617
60R - 1,335,865
90R - 341,125
Remainders
At one point the printers were ordered to destroy what was left in stock so the amount was;
30R - 292,377
60R - 166,277
90R - 8,057
Genuine Characteristics
Band 1 has a central circular white ball with groups of white leaves either side in the sequence of 3,3,3 and 1 separated from one another by a pair of white dots.
Band 2 comprises black dashes in horizontal pairs, alternating with pairs spaced more widely apart with a much shorter dash between them.
Band 3 is comprised of black dashes in an alternating sequence of parallel groups of 4 & 5 black dashes.
Band 4 is a solid black line with a double layer of black diamond shapes on either side.
1. In the 30R a straight line drawn through the top circle will cross to the left of the bottom one.
NOTE - the top pearl will sometime (notably earlier prints) have a color "cap" on top. This can be seen in the first image. I would consider it a secondary feature found on some stamps.
2. 6. The top circle is generally round, the bottom one will be somewhat oval & inclined slightly (this is not a consistent trait)
3. Note the curls especially the left one in the the 0. Note the position vs the right one.
4. The background is visible in the shadow line.
5. Note where the inner dark shading ends (6 o’clock)
7. The tail is split and the left one is only slightly higher than the right.
8. There are no distinct shadings or shapes added on the top of the 3.
9. Note the distance of the edge of the 3 from the frame.
10. The leaf ornaments consist both left & right of 3,3,3,1 elements. Also note where the right top one ends relative to the left one.
Aside from the features mentioned in the 30R;
1. 2. A line drawn straight will pass through the center of both circles.
3. The ball of the 6 should be round.
4. Note the difference in the 2 curls.
5. Note where the shadow ends. (5 o’clock)
Aside from the features mentioned in the 30R;
1. The top dot is large and tends to be rounder and without the inclination of the bottom one. (not a standard)
2. Note the shape of the shading.
3. The loop is often not complete & there may be a break in the outside left (not consistent).
4. Straight lines crosses through centers.
5. Note where the shadows end (4 & 6’oclock)
6. The right curl is higher than the left one.
Types
The stamps have different types that can easily be distinguished.
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| 30R Types I & II |
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| 60R Types I & II |
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| 90R Types I, II & III |
Forgeries
17 different kinds of forgeries are known. They were made by Spiro in 1864, Zechmeyer made 3 different forgeries in 1890, Erasmus Oneglia and Giovani Patroni in 1897, M.Mercier in 1910 (the predecessor of Francois Fournier) and Jean de Sperati in 1914 (only the 60 reis and 90 reis). It is not known who made the remaining forgeries.
NOTE - All Brazilian stamps released between 1843-1889 were engraved whereas forgeries were mostly lithographed. The engraving produced more detailed images and ink ridges on the paper.
"Fournier" forgerySource: Originally attributed to Fournier but it is more likely he only resold them.
Release: Europe, circa 1905
Printing: Lithographed
Paper: White, porous wove (90 microns)
These show up in the Geneva collection but it is quite possible that he did not create them
The main feature is mottled background and the lack of bands
The 3 right side tail has no curl
The right side curl on the 0 of the 60 is higher than the left
They all have the same cancel shown below
These perfed stamps are also shown in his album
The background is better defined
The tail of the # is not split as with the previous
Oneglia / Mercier forgeries?These have been attributed to Mercier but according to Lowe/Walske they are from Oneglia
My extensive Mercier price list does indicate his main focus was Swiss stamps.
These are well executed and deceptive
Erasmus Oneglia, Italian stamp merchant in Turin who made and sold imitations
during the 19th Century. These probably originated in 1897
Paper - Grayish white, medium wove
Forgery characteristics:
30 R
a) The tail of the digit "3" does not have the split of the original
b) The ornament on the left side of the number "O" is larger than the one on the right
c) The ornament on the left side of the number "O" is placed higher than the right.
60 R
a) The numeral "6" is larger and narrower than that of authentic stamps
b) The number "O" is larger than the original.
c) The top and bottom white balls are slightly smaller than the originals.
d) The right curl in the 6 is not as complete
90 R
a) The numerals "9" and "O" are larger than the originals.
b) The top and bottom white balls are larger than the originals.
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| Comparison of Oneglia (right) with an original |
Patroni forgeries?
NOTE - These have been attributed to Oneglia but are more likely Patroni forgeries (see next entry)
Paper - Grayish white, medium wove
Cancels;
6 parallel, horizontal lines in black or Prussian blue
Lozenge of black dots or blue squares (with or without central numerals "53")
Double ring with "RIO DE JANEIRO"
Forgery characteristics:
30 R
a) The right tail curve of the digit "3" is lower than the left
b) The ornament on the left side of the number "O" is larger and placed higher than the one on the right
60 R
a) The numeral "6" is larger and narrower than that of authentic stamps
b) The number "O" is larger than the original.
c) The top and bottom white balls are smaller than the originals.
90 R
a) The numerals "9" and "O" are larger than the originals.
b) The top and bottom white balls are larger than the originals.
Champion forgeriesNOTE Considering that previous "Oneglia" forgeries are actually Patroni then there is a good chance that these are from the Swiss forger Champion and not Patroni as previously credited.
In his trial, the Philatelic Record of April 1902 notes that Champion produced forgeries of the Bulls that were "splendidly imitated"
Lithographed
These imitations appeared on the European philatelic market, before 1897.
Paper is a thick, vertically and horizontally striated paper
Cancel - all copies appear to have a beaded primitive "BARIA"
Forgery characteristics:
30 R
a) The digits "3" and "O" are larger than those of the originals.
b) The number "3" does not have an embellishment at the top.
c) The left upper end of the numeral "3" has an embellishment in the form of an inverse cedilla
d) The "3" ends in a large ball instead of a split curl
60 R
a) The numerals "6" and "O" are larger than those of the originals.
b) The embellishments of the numerals "6" and "O" are smaller than those of the originals
c) The white balls of the upper and lower ornaments are smaller than those of the originals.
d) The leaves of the upper right ornament show the sequence 3.2.3.1, while the original ornament is 3.3.3.1.
90 R
a) The digits are larger than the originals.
b) The embellishments of the figures are smaller than those of the originals.
c) The leaves of the upper ornament show a sequence of 1.1.1.1.
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| Typical cancel |
"Spiro" forgeries
Typographic process.
NOTE
In a reply to the editors of a period magazine article by Pemberton, Spiro notes that although they thank Pemberton for the advertising, they made none of the facsimiles listed in their price list and they were all obtained from a source in England.
A medium porous and yellowish paper was used
Cancels
black circular 29 mm in diameter with "RIO DE JANELRO" undated.
The cancels were printed together with the stamps.
30 R
a) The upper part of the number "3" is smaller than that of the originals.
b) The upper flowering has an extra row of leaves with the following composition: right 3.3.2.2.1 and left 3.3.3.2.1
c) The right tail curve of the figure "3" is lower than the left
60 R
a) The balls of the upper and lower ornaments are smaller than those of the originals.
b) The upper flowering has an extra row of leaves, with the following composition: right 3.3.2.1.1 and left 3.3.3.3.
90 R
a) The balls of the upper and lower ornaments are smaller than those of the originals.
b) The upper flowering has an extra leaf row, with the following composition: right 3.3.2.2.1 and left 3.3.3.3.1.
c) The left embellishment of the number "9" is smaller than the original.
Spiro full sheets
Georg Zechmeyer, German stamp dealer active between 1860-90
This Lithographic facsimile appeared in the European market in mid-1880s
Paper: Very thick, card-like
Cancel: All have 22 mm single circle with legend "URUTU Do CIWL VF"
Design Flaws: Lacks raised ink "ridges" characteristic of engraving; background pattern is much coarser grouping of dots and dashes than the intricate and blended swirls of the original
30R
a) Right curl of the tail of the "3" is lower than the left one
b) The left curl in the 0 of the 30 is much larger than the right one
60R
a) Curl at the top of the "6" is an oval instead of a circle
90R
a) Shading inside the head of the "9" goes 3/4 instead of 1/2 around
Zechmeyer forgery Type II This set has most of the issues described as above
Design Flaws: The same inking differences and similar design coarseness as
described above
30R Vertical dash in upper left downstroke of "3" - this shows up on many samples
60R White "shadow" to right of dark shading around numerals
90R Lower ornaments with 3:3:3:3:1 leaf pattern instead of 3:3:3:1
Unknown Forger
Made in 1950? by photogravure.
Brazil Forgeries w/ postmarks
Very deceptive.
Yellowish wove paper
Curved frame lines due to process of photographic projection used for plate production
30r BARBACENA valid 1824-42
60r ARAXA valid 1831-56
90r BAHIA valid 1836-40
90r ALDEIA DE S.PEDRO pre-philately cancel
Sperati forgeries
Obviously the most dangerous
It appears that he only forged the 60R & 90R
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| Sperati comparted to genuine (left) |
Flaws
a) long white void area in the black shading at top right of both numerals
b) white voids in black area at top left interior curve of numeral "6"
c) 1 mm break in the oval frame line under second set of ornamental leaves in the lower left
d) 6 mm curved white line above the last two ornamental leaves in the upper right
a) Cancels are in the same position on all examples
b) Flower to right of top ornament has four segments instead of three
c) The shading of the numerals is sketchy rather than mostly solid
d) 1 mm vertical black line in right side of top ornamental ball
e) Outer oval frame line is broken at two places (1 mm apart) between 2nd and 3rd sets of ornamental flowers at upper left
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| Sperati 90R Proof |
Typical Sperati cancels
Modern ReplicasSource & date unknown
Although the numerals and the outer oval flowers are well replicated, the inner backgroud is coarse and totally lacks the fine lines of the originals.
Torres forgeryMatches perfectly with his 1892 catalog
a) The curl on the left side of the is incomplete
b) The curl on the right side is much smaller than the original
c) The lefy curl on the) is much larger
d) The flower segments in the outer oval are separate lines with no joining
e) the background bears no resemblance to the original
Unknown source
Appeared in Europe, late 1890s
Lithographed
Paper -Soft whitish wove
All known copies are without cancel
a) Lack of frame line around oval
b) All the curls are the wrong shape and size
c) The frame flowers below the 6 have white artifacts
This forgery was sold by Fournier but the original source is unknown
a) The curls are unlike the original
b) The key feature is the right tail end of the 3 which is just a large featureless blob
Moens forgeryIt may not be from Moens but it perfectly matches his 1860 catalog
a) The top opening of the 6 is round instead of oval
b) The left curl of the 6 does not match the original
c) The white lines in the background are larger and more pronounced
d) Bands are unclear or missing
From the 1893 Moens catalog
Unknown SourceThese forgeries are overall well executed
a) The balls and flowers are exactly the same. In the originals there are minor differences
b) The background is not as fine and well defined - Litho issue?
c) The outer frame line has thickness differences and weak areas
1950? Unknown forger
• Overall craftsmanship is excellent, closely resembling authentic 30r
• Pattern of background cross-hatching is coarser than on real 30r
• Upper right ornamental leaf pattern is 3:3:2:1 instead of 3:3:3:1
Unknown Forger
1. Top & bottom balls too small
2. 6 left outside curl incomplete
3. 0 left inside curl too small, right curl too large
4. Background and bands wrong
References
- Brookman, Lester G. The 100th anniversary of the "Bulls Eyes" stamps of Brazil. 1943.
- Ferreira, Henrique Bunselmeyer. Catalogo Ilustrado Dos Carimbos Sobre os Olhos-de-boi. 2011.
Brazil - Early forgeries, Facsimiles... S. Rose
- Mayer, Peter. Encyclopaedic catalogue of the stamps and postal history of Brazil: from the origins to 1890. 1999.
- Studart, Marcelo Gladio da Costa. Catálogo Histórico dos Selos do Império do Brasil (1843-1889). 1991.
- Studart, Marcelo Gladio da Costa. Falsificações e Fraudações na Filatelia Brasileira. 1991.
- Taveira, Walter Gonçalves. Brasil 1844–1846: "Inclinados": selos do império do Brasol. 2001.
- Klaseboer forgery CD 2019
- Encyclopaedic Catalogue Of The Stamps and Postal History of.,Brazil
- Brazil RHM Catalog Vo; 1
- Members of Brazil Stamp Forum
- Fournier Geneva Collection
Addendum
Late arrival forgeries
Zechmeyer forgery Type I blocks of 4
Georg Zechmeyer, German stamp dealer active between 1860-90
This Lithographic facsimile appeared in the European market in mid-1880s
