Monday, November 22, 2021

Romania 1864-72 Imperfs

Carol I
1864 unused issue
The large circle surrounding the head is the key feature versus the narrow oval of the later
issue
The stamps of this issue can be found in several transfer types shown below


2pa

1864 2pa Type 1

5pa

1864 5pa Type 3

20pa

1864 20pa Type 3


1865
The first stamps for postal use inscribed "POSTA ROMANA" were issued in January 1865; the three values depicted Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza in profile, facing right.
These did not last long in use, as Cuza was deposed the following year, and new stamps depicted Prince Carol I, also in profile, but facing left, and in a style very similar to contemporary French stamps

1865 Genuine stamps

There are 2 types of the 20b
Type I left - The central oval does not touch the inner frame. 
The "I" of "DECI" extends above and below the other letters.
Type II right - The central oval touches the frame at the bottom. 
The "I" of the "DECI" is the same height as the other letters.


Fournier forgeries?
These are taken from the Fournier Geneva 4X4 sheets
All the samples show coarser features and shading than the originals
The 2 & 5pa are similar to each other but the 20pa has many differences with the other 2
The eyes. bushier beard, shading lines and letters are different
Since Fournier sold stamps from different forgers, this is an obvious conclusion for the differences


1866 Issue
 
NOTE the 20pa comes in 2 Types
Look at the top left & right meandering mandrels.
In the Type 1 (left) the top ones point in the same direction
In the Type2 (right) they point in opposite directions


Genuine Features
The best way to eliminate forgeries is to plate the stamp to see if it matches a Transfer Type. 
With the limited transfer types, it is very simple.

2pa
2 pa transfer types


Sc 29 Left: type 4, right: type 5


5pa


Sc 30 Type 5


20pa


Sc. 31 Type I & 2 Transfer 6 & Transfer 4


Here we have a Type 1 & 2 with Transfers 4, 5, 6
NOTE the center stamp is the much scarcer dot in the top right meander Sc 31c.


1868-1870
Sc 33 - 36

Genuine set C33-C36
The 2b can be found in orange and yellow equally

1868 Types

2b

Type 6

3b

Type 1

4b


Types 1 to 8


18b


Type 3


1869 Sc 37-43

Complete series

5b


Sc 37 Type 4

10b


Sc 38 Light Blue Type 1 & 2


Sc 38 Deep Blue Types 4 & 1

15b


Sc 40 Type 3


25b


Sc 41 Types 1, 2 & 3


50b


Sc 43 Types 3 & 4

1871-72 Sc 43-49

1871-72 Sc 43-49

5b

Types 1,2,3,4

Types 5,6,7,8,9,10

10b Blue

Types 4,3,6,5

10b Orange Yellow


Sc 44 - 1-2 3-4


15b


Type 3,4,7,8


25b

Type 4 & 8

50b


Sc 48 67 67


Forgeries
NOTE - the forgeries are VERY plentiful and I cannot for blog size show all of them or the entire numerous full sheets I have.
Most of these as originals command higher than average values so they are more likely philatelic forgeries for collectors as the Spiro & Fournier full sheets indicate.

1865 Forgeries

Genuine left, forgery right - this type is one of the more common ones
The differences in the face, numerals and side letter spacing are obvious

Probable Torres forgery with typical cancel

The following are sections from 5X5 Spiro sheets with typical cancels





These are from sheets found in the Geneva Fournier Collection
Most are from 4X4 sheets.
Original forger is not likely Fournier





1866-67 Forgeries
Common well designed forgery (right)
Vertical line below the top right 2 is open
Wide space in the outer frames
Some pearls are larger
Colored space at 3 o'clock between frames
Notch on the end of the meander
Top of the R slopes down

Block from a full 4X4 Fournier sheet
All in sheet have a dash on the forehead
King appears to be looking up

The "angry king" from a Fournier collection

A group of "Fournier "Angry Kings"


1868 Forgeries
A rather crude forgery from an unknown source


Torres Forgeries
The nose is set closer to the face


The line of the upper lip touches the nose
Overall the face has a softer look
There is no dark band in the front hair section
Typical VA cancel of Torres


These are the 2 forgeries that show up most frequently
The left one found in the Fournier Geneva files. It is very close to the original except for several facial differences and minor ones in the letters
They originate on 4X4 layout sheets
The right one "The Angry King" is from 5X5 sheets attributed to Spiro with his common cancels


"Fournier" examples



Spiro examples - "The Angry King"




1869 Forgeries
This group appeared to have the most  types 

Full forgery set with similar features

Below the similar blocks cropped from the Fournier Geneva Collection.
These were in 4X4 sheet layouts




Other types
A very crude forgery
Very pointed nose
No details in hair & beard
Thick letters

Sparse hair
Thick side meanders

Small eye
Sparse hair details
A in BANI is tall


The sleepy eyed king
The CE letters of DECI are shorter than the other letters
The numeral 0 is wide
Large bottom letters
This is the only sample I have of this type



Mouth - moustache very long
Pointed nose
Eyes open wider than others

A fairly common forgery
Narrow pointed nose
Thick lines in facial hair
Top letters are short

Large rounded nose
Sparse facial hair
Heavily shaded eye


Forgeries with common SIBIESCO signatures that are different


Block cropped from the Fournier Geneva Collection 4X4 sheet
Very sparse hair details
Odd ear
AN of BANI distorted


1871-72 Forgeries

Sibiesco forgery
Top letters are thicker than original
Neck shading is shorter
Shading in hair & beards heavier
BANI letters are much thicker

Block from a Geneva Fournier full sheet that matches above
Note the very wide margins


Tall A in BANI
Sparse hair & small eye
Tip of nose rounded
Top letters are thicker

Pointed nose
Side letters very thick
Very coarse facial hair and neck shading


Top letters are uneven and several are very narrow
Crude sparse hair
Lots of artifacts
Right letters very thick


Torres forgery
Large shaded eye
Heavy sideburns not in original
Thick side meander


Sperati Forgeries
1871 Sc 44a 10b (on vertically laid paper)
1. there is a dot of color above the serif of right hand "1" of "10"
2. there is a double break in the foot of the "S" of "POSTA"

1871 Sc49 50b
1. there is a dot of blue color above the top right corner
2. there is a break in the inner frameline below the "50" at right


Below blocks from 4X4 Geneva Fournier sheets

Very deceptive
Nose has pointed "hook"
Eye is not as well defined
All values appear to have a top left curved serif on the I of BANI


Forgeries on thick pink paper from the Geneva Fournier collection
There appears to be 2 different types

Additional forgeries
These 1885 forgeries are well done and from the Geneva Fournier collection


The following full sheets are all from the Geneva Fournier collection
1868 Sc 33

1868 Sc 33a

1868 Sc 34

1868 Sc 35

1868 Sc36

1868 Sc36a

1869 Sc38

1869 Sc41

1869 Sc42

1871 Sc44 

1871 Sc45

1872 Sc45a

1872 Sc49

1872 Sc52

1885 Sc83

1885 Sc84


1885 Sc85

1885 Sc86

1885 Sc87

1 comment:

  1. Wow, incredible job! Ron - Thanks for this major contribution to the philatelic community.

    ReplyDelete

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