Genuine stamps
The 2 main forgers are Spiro Bros. and Torres.
There appears to be very little difference between them.
Spiro Forgeries?
Torres Forgeries?
with typical Torres cancels
Unknown Forger
Monday, September 8, 2025
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
US 1930 Zeppelins
Though somewhat uncommon this series was forged. Unfortunately most of the forgers are unknown.
Genuine issues
Forgeries
They can be identified by the poor lettering and background clouds.
Identified as a Panelli
Others
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Hawaii 1861 2c
Genuine Issues
1861 Proof
 |
| 1863 Sc 27 |
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| 1886 Reprint Sc 50 |
Genuine stamps have the line just above "UKU LETA" ending below the label containing the "2" at the right hand side.
On the left hand side this line starts a little above the label containing the "2".
Spiro Forgeries
These are the most common.
The Spiro forgery can be recognized by the absence of a dot behind "KENETA".
The "2" in the upper left corner is too far to the right (it should be in the center).
The frame-line above "UKU LETA" ends too high on the right hand side.
Fournier Forgery
Two's and ornaments very different
 |
| S.A. Taylor Forgery |
A's are faulty
Many breaks in frame lines
Torres Forgery
Sperati also made a forgery but I have not located any copy of one
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Hong Kong QV Forgeries
Genuine Issues
Note - the most telling feature is the white figure "8" shape in the hair bun.
Partial sheet
1876 Fournier overprints in wrong color from Spiro
A Kamigata forgery with his specific "IMITATION" cancel and odd value.
Some very primitice forgeries. Probably issued as postal forgeries.
Of note the primitive queen also appears in an 1874 French catalog which Torres apparently helped illustrate. The cancels appear to read "HONG KONG B JA 20"...
Spiro Bros Forgeries
The Spiro Brothers of Hamburg , Germany.
They cancelled those stamps at the same time when they produce them , and sold those stamps as imitated stamps that were supposedly supplied to stamp collectors to fill the blanks in their stamp albums as a space filler at a very cheap price. But those reproduced stamps were sold mainly to stamp dealers only. Once those stamps get to the dealers, or when the old albums were sold , there is a possibility that those stamps would be sold as genuine stamps to defraud stamp collectors.
Other Features.
Lithographed.
Unwatermar ked.
Ungummed.
Perforation: 11-13.
Width of frame: 19.00-19.50 mm.
Height of frame: 22.50 mm.
Background shading comprised 73 lines.
Background shading touched frame lines.
No outline in front of Queen ’s forehead and nose.
Dividing lines often present.
Cancelled by ’B62’ in black and fancy cancels
Complete Spiro Issues
Fournier Forgeries
In the early 1910's, Fournier had appointed over 40 agents in 23 countries to handle his approval and clinic business with over 10,000 steady customers. One can imagine that he might have carried a huge quantity of forged stamps. However except in the case of his own fake overprints, most Hong Kong were Spiro products.
Oneglia/Panelli Forgeries
Photoengraved - heavy inking.
Background - 93 lines.
Very crude watermark.
Ungummed.
The actual Oneglia forgeries are not dangerous as with many of his poorly executed forgeries.
Photoengraved
Unwatermarked and poorly watermarked Crown CC
Ungummed
Perforation: 14
Width of frame: 19.25 mm
Height of frame: 22.75 mm
Background shading comprises 93 lines
Background shading does not touch frame lines
No outline in front of Queen's forehead and nose
Cancelled by 'B62' in black.
I believe these are from Oneglia
However his accomplice Panelli is known for his dangerous forgeries.
I believe these are from Panelli.
Torres Forgeries
His well documented Torres canels appear on Spiro forgeries which begs the question was Torres the supplier for Spiro.
Other Forgeries
Revenue Forgeries
Genuine Stamps
Genuine Stamps
Forgeries
So same forger who applied the fake cancels on stamps from different sources??
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Canada 1897 Jubilee Issue
Celebrating 60 years reign of queen Victoria
Original stamps
A dangerous set of high values.
Originally attributed to Oneglia but too well designed and after his retirement.
More plausible that it was made by Panelli.
The older queen's eye is darkened
Thee are spcing and height differences in the letters
Denomination letters are thinner
They are generally found with heavy cancels
A very crude set from an unknown forger.
These were also made as "proofs" with large margins. Some without the value which are obviously added after from the above.
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Possibly from an advertising in the UK from 1980's
Of course there is the usual computer generated junk
