Sperati Spain Proofs

These are some of the Sperati proofs from 1851 to  1878

1851 2 Reales Type A
1. There is a break in the top frame line just to the left of the "D" of " DOS"
2. There is a break on the curved frame line vertically above the "R" of "REALES."
3. There is a white dot in the center of the "S" of "CORREOS"
4. Break at the base of the southeast pearl of the fourth set.

1851 2 Reales Type B
1. There is a break in the "S" of " DOS" at the top, so that the serif is separate from the letter
2. There is a break in the curved frame line immediately above the top of the letter "R" of "REALES"
3. The bottom right serif of the first numeral "l" is severed from the upright
4. Break in the first 'O' of CORREOS.
5. Several hair lines in the center are broken

1851 2 Reales Color Error

This reproduction is found in se-tenant pairs with the 6 reales. Reproduction was made in both types A and B.

1852 2 Reales Sperati Types B

Reproduced by photographic methods. Very similar to Type 1, with which

it can be confused We will examine:

1. White notch on the bottom of C

2. Thinning in the upper area of R

3. Breaks in the lower lines of the band

4. The point after 2 is slightly triangular with the vertex downwards

5. Slight thickening at the base of the figure 2

6. Break in the head of the second R

7. The bottom edge of C is irregular.

1853 3 Cuartos Type B
1 Spikes of the crown touch the tree
2 Bear paw is open on the tree
3 Oval jewel in base of crown is open at the top
4 Top of first I in INTERIOR is curved

1854 1 Reales Type A
1 There is a nick in the upper frame line over the numeral 8
2 The top left ornament is missing the small dot at the tip, instead there is a large hook
3 The bottom right ornament has a dot inside on the mid right side
4 The Thin frameline above the RL is broken in 3 or more places

1854 Issue 5r
1. there is a break or indentation in the left side of the second "O" of "CORREOS"
2. there is a clot of color in the center of the back of the "C" of "CERT"
3. there is a dot of color adjoining the right side of the "D" of "DO"
4. there is a line in the shading below the lower right Castle

1854 Issue 6r
1. there are white spots in the upright and in the loop of the first R of CORREOS
2. there is a spot of color in the center of the right side of the numeral l
3. there is a small projection from the outer frame line immediately above the numeral 4
4. the bottom right serif of the R of CERT is broken away from the upright and the upper left serif of the T of CERT is broken away from the upright

1861 Issue 19c

1.The frame line over "R" of "CUARTOS" has a minute break and is retouched (thickened) over the "RT"

2.There is another minute break in the frame line below and between "TO"

3.The left side of the lower right corner square inclines inwards at the top of the square

4.The 12th and 13th pearls that form the border at top are broken on the upper side while 10 of the pearls in the right frame are broken on the inside

1864 Issue 19c

1.The outer frame line at left is broken near the bottom

2.There is a defect in the thick curved line at bottom immediately below the "O" of "CTOS"

3.The upper curved line over "CORREOS" is broken over the first "R"

4.The first "O" of "CORREOS" has a defect at upper left

1865 Issue 19c

1.There are colored spots in the back of the "C" of "CORREOS" and in the head and belly of the "S"

2.There are two colored spots in the curved white space below "CORREOS," one (minute) below the "C," the other below the "O"

1867 Issue 19c Rose - Type A

1.In the rose printing there are clear breaks in the left frame line near the top, and in the middle of the top frame

2.There are two distinctive defects in the background of "CORREOS," above the second "R" (not clear on the rose) and below the second "O"

3.There is a dot below the top frame line above the "E'' of "DE"

4.There are three distinctive defects in the background of "ESPANA," at the bottom left of the "E," from the head of the first "A" and generally around the "N," between the legs of which there is a white spot

5.The foot of the "C" of "CUARTOS" is thick and there is a slanting projection at the bottom right which makes it look rather like a "G"

1873 Issue 4p

1.There are dots of color joining the two frames above "MUNI" of "COMUNlCACIONES"

2.The line over "4 PESETAS" is weak and broken

3.There is a flaw in the foot of the "4"

4.The left side of the "A" in "PESETAS" is just broken from the right

1873 Issue 10p 

1.There are are spots of color above the right of the first "N," over the "A" and the second "I" between the top frame and above "COMUNICACIONES"

2.There are the following flaws in the background behind "ESPANA:" at the left a white spot between "SP," white spots in the head and below the last "A"

3.There is a colored spot just below the serif of the "l" and a white spot in the tail of the first "S" of "PESETAS"

1874 Issue 4p

1.There are flaws in the circular frame over the first "N" and "ACI" of "COMUNICACIONES"

2.There are the following flaws in "COMUNICACIONES:" the "A" is broken at the right, the second "l" is broken at the top, and the second "N" has a heavy flaw at the right

3. There are many flaws in "ESPANA," the most distinctive being the "E" (which has a break at the left and flaws in both upper and lower serifs) and the "P" (in which there are five white spots)

1875 Issue 4p

1.There is a white spot in the left frame 4.25 mm. above the lower corner square

2.There is a white spot in the upper left corner of the top right corner square

3.There is a break in a line of shading on the neck 8 mm. from the bottom of the stamp and 9 mm. from the right

1875 Issue 10p

1.There is a triangular flaw in the shading just underneath the tip of the nose

2.In "COMUNICACIONES" there is a crack on the inner top right of the first "O," a white dot in the center of the "M" and a white spot in the lower diagonal of the first "N"

3.The most prominent flaws in "PESETAS" are the break in the head of the "P," the white spot in the bulge of the loop, the bite out of the back of the first "E," the broken bottom to the first "S," the missing lower left serif and the broken head of the second "E"

1878 Issue 4p

1.This reproduction shows the secret mark of the 40 centimos (open bottoms to the legs of the "M") instead of that of the 4 pesetas (open bottom to the right leg of the "A" in "COMUNICACfONES")

2.There is a white spot in the hair 4 mm. from the left and 7 mm. from the top of the stamp

3.There are breaks in the ornamental frame, 4 mm. from the left and 3 mm. from the bottom, and 2 mm. from the right and 5.25 mm. from the bottom

1878 Issue 10p

1There is a white spot under the moustache

2.There are two large spots of color, one inside the oval 6.5 mm. from the top and 3 mm. from the right of the stamp, the other outside the oval 4.5 mm. from the left and 3.5 mm. from the bottom of the stamp

3.There is a white spot in the oval frame immediately under the "U" of "COMUNICACIONES"

4.In most examples, the white of the eye is missing

1878 Issue 40c - Type A

1.There are four flaws in "COMUNICACIONES:" a dot in the cup of the first "C," a break on the right of the first "N," a break in the head of the third "C" and of the "E"

2. There is a break in the thicker vertical line between the oval and the left frame 7.5 mm. from the top

3.There is a flaw in the line over "P" of "PESETA" and another in the bottom frame below "S"

Italy 1863 Matraire Issue

 The Quindici issues of 1863 were printed in lithography by Francesco Matraire.

There are two main types, showing the head of King Victor Emmanuel III.

Type I was printed in sheets of 200 consisting of four blocks of 25 subjects, repeated, and then the sheets were cut into panes of 50 for sending to Post Offices. Plating this series is difficult as flaws are infrequent and few blocks exist.

For the Type II all 100 stamps can be plated, in 4 groups of 25 subjects; many large blocks survived, and the flaws were more numerous.

Genuine Rare Type I Block Cert. Enzo Diena  

The Type I singles generally sell for 10X that of the type II

Comparison of Types I & II

Type I

1. Line under top cartouche extends out

2. The C is almost closed

3. There is a line under the Q

Type I Pos. 4, C almost closed

Type II

1. The C is open

2. Line under Q is open EXCEPT FOR POSITION 9 where it is CLOSED.

3. Frame of right cartouche is broken

NOTE - these are the basic features that may not be visible or exactly as shown in all stamps of the full sheet.

Type II Pos. 9 exception, line under Q closed

2 other main constant flaws

Type II Pos.14

F Flaw Variety in NW corner, 

Type II Pos. 15

Dot between P and O of POSTALE

1 and 5 in NE corner joined by a dash

Full Sheet of the Type II
These were printed in blocks o 25 and then put up into 2 panes to make a block of 100 samples.

Given the numerous flaws, they are simple to plate.

NOTE - The full description of characteristics is in the Addendum

Type II Essays & Tests

There are known essays in black with and without inscriptions, on thin or medium paper, others in blue without inscriptions, even on glossy cardboard, and in red brown without inscriptions.

There are also machine tests, in black or blue, sometimes obtained by superimposing various prints and prints recto-verso.

Forgeries 

Type I

These are not common unlike the Type II

Genuine left, forgery right

Forgery Features

1. S of POSTALE has even sized top & bottom, A is shorter than other letters

2. Numerals are thinner

3. Hair is lacking in details

4. Short A FRANCO

5. Right side letters are wider

6. Corner C's are thinner

7. C's are rounder

Postal Forgeries

These are generally rare and can have quite high values.

There are three types of forgeries to defraud the mail (counterfeits), the first two were sold in Naples, the third in L'Aquila. 

Postal forgery Type I Lithographed

Printd and used in Milan in April 1863

1. Numerals are very thick

2. Letters are uneven and many inclined

3. Background lines are thick and slanted

The existence of 20 different types is proven, which suggests that the same one was printed in small sheets of 20 specimens.

Postal Forgery Type II Engraved (Intaglio Printing)

This forgery was not executed in sheets. 

It is distinguished from the previous for the print and for the background lines, which are slanted from top to bottom, rather than from bottom to top.

An attempt to replicate the genuine Type I

The earliest known date of intaglio forgeries of Naples is on 28 June 1863.

Issued in 2 colors 

1. Forehead flat not rounded

2. Bottom left 5 is slanted

3. Background lines are thicker, slanted and uneven

4. Tail of Q does not touch the frame

5. Letters are uneven

 

The Type II comes in 6 varieties

I  -The two "Cs" of the corners without a point.

II  -The accented "O" of "ITALIANO".

III - "B" of "BOLLO" upside down.

IV - "FRANOO" instead of "FRANCO.

V -"FFANCO" instead of "FRANCO"; "B" of "BOLLO" upside down; "OUINDICI" instead of "QUINDICI".

VI -All smaller and very irregular letters

Postal Forgery Type III Engraved of L"Aquila 

Appeared Nov.-Dec. 1863

The lines of the background are aligned almost as in the original but are more dense.

The words "FRANCO BOLLO" has smaller characters than the others. 

The color of the print is unmistakable. (It is likely that at the time of printing the color was like the original then later oxidized.)

One pair, one strip of three and one block of four new ones and only one used pair are known.

Some letters are known to be posted at the end of December 1863 after the discovery of the forgery, which bear the stamp not cancelled.

Multiples & Printer's Waste

Some of these multiples were reportedly salvaged from waste and sold to collectors

The black ones show up as trials or proofs but are forgeries

Addendum

Description of the features of the genuine Type II Plate shown earlier

Type 2 Subject 1

General Characteristics: white scratch through cartouche and frame under second leg of first A in ITALIANO; nick in top left of NW corner.

Type 2 Subject 2

General Characteristics: dot in right margin opposite C in SE square; dot in margin close to frame level with A of FRANCO; dot in SE spandrel level with O in ITALIANO.

Type 2 Subject 3

General Characteristics: Dot in margin level with NC of FRANCO; cut in cartouche and frame above S of POSTALE; small dot in SW spandrel above and to left of C

Type 2 Subject 4

General Characteristics: Large dot at left end bottom cartouche; dot to right of top of last I in QUINDICI; dot under right curve of bottom cartouche; large break or retouch above NO of ITALIANO

Type 2 Subject 5

General Characteristics: Break in frame below right end of bottom cartouche; dot in margin below that; dot on N of FRANCO and flaw between frame and cartouche above it.

Type 2 Subject 6

General Characteristics: Break in cartouche below A of POSTALE; small dot inside left end of top cartouche (sometimes absent); flaw on frame level with top of 1 in SW corner square; small dot in right margin opposite NO of ITALIANO

Type 2 Subject 7

General Characteristics:

White flaw to right of 15 in NE corner; small rising line in spandrel above N of QUINDICI; frame scratch under C of FRANCO (unclear)

Type 2 Subject 8

General Characteristics:

Small dot above and to right of right cartouche; dot in margin above S in POSTALE, also sometimes another above O; frame broken below U

Type 2 Subject 9

General Characteristics:

Line under Q; SW corner, white flaw below right of 5; dot high in NW spandrel

Type 2 Subject 10

General Characteristics: Small dot between frame and cartouche above QU in QUINDICI; tiny frame scratch below Q

Type 2 Subject 11

General Characteristics: Tiny circle or dot between cartouche and frame above left upright of N in QUINDICI; frame below Q broken into dots

Type 2 Subject 12

General Characteristics: Line of dots in the margin above POSTA; dot in centre of NE spandrel.

Type 2 Subject 13

General Characteristics: Small dot below curved end of moustache.

Type 2 Subject 14

f Flaw Variety

General Characteristics: Characteristic f flaw to left of C in NW corner, tiny hairline in margin below C in SE corner, small line 1mm to right of SE corner.

Type 2 Subject 15

General Characteristics: Dot between P and O of POSTALE; small dash near top of SE spandrel; 1 and 5 in NE corner joined by a dash; Dot in first O of BOLLO; small dot just above top of right cartouche.

Type 2 Subject 16

General Characteristics: 2 or 3 dots to left of P in POSTALE; NW corner ends in a spike.

Type 2 Subject 17

General Characteristics: Flaw in top left limb of T in POSTALE; dot in margin level with O in FRANCO; small dot on top of D in QUINDICI; small dot in top margin left of P.

Type 2 Subject 18

General Characteristics: Four dots in margin above E of POSTALE; line below Q only just open

Type 2 Subject 19

General Characteristics: Lines and dots in top margin; tiny dot near bottom of second I in QUINDICI; small dot near first C; dot to left of 1 in SW square.

Type 2 Subject 20

General Characteristics: White fault in oval at 1 o'clock; vertical dash near NE corner; dash above first O of BOLLO

Type 2 Subject 21

General Characteristics: Break in cartouche below LI of ITALIANO

Type 2 Subject 22

General Characteristics: Cartouche broken above and to left of C in QUINDICI; white 'quiff' at the back of the head above parting.

Type 2 Subject 23

General Characteristics: Frame smudge above OSTALE; outer frame broken below D; two dots in NE spandrel; two breaks below N in ITALIANO

Type 2 Subject 24

General Characteristics: Frame smudge above POSTA; dot in margin below U of QUINDICI

Type 2 Subject 25

General Characteristics: Cartouche broken above and to right of L in POSTALE; dot between 1 and 5 in SW corner; dot inside Q of QUINDICI

Italy Modena 1853-59

 1859 Provisional Issues Sc 10-14

Genuine Features

1. F may be damaged in forgeries

2. R has upturned right leg and may be joined to A
3. Bottom of letters generally open or weak
4. Dot inside shape
5. Right side of crown more inclined than left
6. Corner elements uniform in shape
7. M generally faulty
8. Large striped square
9. Top has 5 lines, bottom 6
10. Right leaf large solid dot
11. Point slightly offset to the right
12. Right side serif longer than left
13. Bottom frame line open both ends
14. C has visible serifs. There are private reprints from worn plates where the C is inclined or lacks serifs, letters are different and the F of FRANCO is damaged.
15. Note the dent in the crown

Quantities Issued
5 cent. green 120,000
15 cent. brown 48.000
15 cent. gray 72,000
20 cents. slate 120,000
20 cents. lilac 120,000
40 cent. pink 120,000
80 cents. bistre 120,000

Forgeries

NOTE Except for the 5c, used copies are rare - treat all cancels as possible FAKES

Fournier Forgeries he sold (Spiro?)

1. No dent in crown and right side out of proportion
2. No breaks in bottom frame line
3. 5c has fake Fournier cancel
4. Large space between the NC
5. 6 vertical lines in the top right shield instead of 5

Fournier (Spiro?) Full Sheets

Torres Forgery

Left image from his 1896 forgery catalog 
1. No breaks in bottom frame line
2. Crude corner elements
3. Line above shield extends both sides
4. Leaves are very different

Unknown Forger

1. Very large pearl under cross
2. Right side letters are inclined
3. Notch in crown missing

Unknown Forger

1. Letters on right side inclined
2. Cross off center to the right
3. Crown different and no right notch
4. Top left shield vertical lines 6 instead of 5

5. Very tall shield

Unknown Forger

1. Thin value letters
2. Right side of crown too high
3. Differences in leaf veins

Unknown Forger

Overall very poor design
1. Thick bottom line
2. Uneven frame lines
3. Numerous artefacts in letters

Unknown Forger

Poor design overall
1. Crown lacking in details
2. Thick left letters
3. Different heights on right letters

Unknown Forger

Possibly a modern forgery
Unusually well detailed
1. Many extra leaves
2. Large crown very different
3. Corner elements different
4. No line breaks in bottom frame line
5. Too many vertical lines in the shield

Unknown Forger

1. Distorted Crown
2. Elements in the arms around the shield are different
3. No breaks in bottom frame line

Unknown Forger

1. Crown lacks right notch
2. Right letters uneven in size
3. Very thick shading in elements
4. Probably a fake cancel

Unknown Forger

Overall poor design
1. Crown lacks details and wrong shape - no dent
2. Vertical lines in shield missing
3. Frame lines are uneven
4. Letters are uneven - inclined L in BOLLO

Unknown Forger

1. No dent in poorly defined crown
2. Vertical lines in shield broken
3. No breaks in bottom frame line
4. Large 2nd L in BOLLO

Unknown Forger

1. Tall and thick letters
2. Distorted crown & shield
3. Left branch cut off by frame
4. CENT too far left

Unknown Forger

Extremely crude design
Details all wrong and not legible

Unknown Forger

1. Crude rough design
2. Letters uneven
3. No breaks in bottom line

Reprints 1859
The word "CENT" and the value are less thick than in the genuine stamps.
There is no dot after the value.
In all the reprints there is an indentation in the frame line above the first "L" of "BOLLO". This is not very clear on some.
The line below the right bottom corner ornament is missing.
In some of these reprints there is a small bar in the frame line just in front of the "C" of "CENT" .
The right side bottom square is open on the bottom.
Some reprints have bumps in the line above the value

Newspaper & Tax Stamps
The first Newspaper stamps were printed in typographic method, on colored paper in sheets of 120 pieces.
At the bottom there was the label "B.G. cen.9" where "B.G." means "Bollo Gazzette".
From May 1853 this revenue was printed again, fully identical, with the exception of the label that is written in smaller characters to avoid technical problems during the insertion of the typographic characters of the lower label and with the number "9" followed by a dot. This value was printed in sheets of 240 pieces.
The quantity printed of the first type was 12,000 pieces, the quantity of the second one was
384,000.
During 1855 a stock of revenues with the label "CENT. 9" has been prepared on machine made paper with small threads of red and blue color.
They were never distributed due to the increase of the rate to 10 centesimi.
On November 1st 1857 a new revenue of 10 centesimi was issued, printed with the same plates of the equivalent postage stamp but in gray color.

Genuine stamps

PR1&2

PR 3 unissued & PR 4

Forgeries

Fournier Forgery

Full Sheet of Fournier forgeries

Torres Forgery

Left from his 1896 forgery catalog. Right forgery

Sperati Forgery

One of 2 Modena forgeries by Sperati

1. There is a hole in the upper frame above the 'O' of 'POSTE'
2. The 'S's are badly shaped.
3. The 'N' of 'CEN' is also badly done.

4. The vertical shading lines are largely missing at left of eagle's breast

Unknown Forger

As this was unissued any cancels would either be very rare or fakes as this one is
1. The central pearls in the crown are too large
2. The tail feathers are the wrong shape
3. The leaves are very different
4. The eagle head is different

Unknown Forger

1. The top EN is too tall and joined
2. The crown is crude and small
3. The claws are wrong
4. The beak is too open

Senf Forgery?

1. Head is very different
2. Crown lacks detail and is too high
3. Serifs on the 2nd S not on the original
4. Corner elements are heavily shaded

Unknown Forger

1. I is too large
2. Head is different
3. 9 is too small
4. Crown is too narrow at the base

5. Similar to 1852 "Bandit" stamps

Double Frame Forgery

1. Double frame not on genuine
2. B.G. is too large
3. Top letters are crude
4. Fake cancels

5. Similar to 1852 Double frame forgery

Unknown Forger

1. Head touching the crown
2. Corner elements are different
3. 9 is different shape
4. Crown base too narrow

1859 Newspaper Tax Stamps
These stamps were hand printed in black on thin yellow paper in sheets of 240 copies with horizontal separation line, vertical lines for non-issued.
Reprints in 1890 in gray on white paper in the form of worn print.

Genuine stamp

1. Wide serif with small points
2. AZ not joined
3. Double dash above crown
4. GA often joined
5. Lower leg of Z much longer than top one
6. Beak is open
7. Noticeable crest on head
8. One or both T’s may be broken at top
9. Ends are flat, forgeries may be bevelled
10. Right claw more curved than left
11. Dot generally has white spot inside
12. N is misshapen
13. 2 types, one with horizontal line (above) unissued with vertical line (below)

Forgeries

Torres Forgery

Left, from his 1896 Forgery Catalog
1. The key feature is the C instead of G in GAZETTE
2. The head is different
Aside from this the forgery is fairly convincing

Unknown Forger

1. The letters are crude and too thin
2. The claws are wrong
3. The tail feathers are wrong

Unknown Forger

Unknown Forger

1. Overall printing is very rough
2. Letters are uneven and crude
3. Sections of corner elements are joined

Unknown Forger

An extremely crude forgery

Possibly a Modern Forgery

1. Serif on G is different
2. A missing middle bar and joined to Z
3. C of CENT is closed as is the E
4. EN are joined

Unknown Forger

1. Letters are very thin
2. Corner elements have no shading
3. Claws are wrong

Unknown Forger

1. Pointed Tail feathers different size
2. Crown has large pearl shape on top
3. G looks like a C and too thin

Unknown Forger

1. Very thin letters

2. Round head

3. Odd looking tail feathers

Unknown Forger

Completely different bird design

1896 Reprint

Worn Plate

Sperati Forgery

1. The marginal guide line at right is broken opposite the first "T" of "GAZZETTE"

2. The serifs of the "T" of "TASSA" are not connected to the stem

Sperati Plate Proof