Gambia Cameo Forgeries

 Mail from Gambia was processed through Sierra Leone from 1853 – the stamps of Sierra Leone were valid for use in Gambia from 1861 to 1869.

The first Gambia stamps were issued in 1869.
The Cameo head of Queen Victoria embossed in white on a simple colored background was produced originally for reasons of cost but it became a classic and in
great demand.
Apparently, only 500 sheets of 15 of the first issues were produced and anything remaining from any of the cameo issues were destroyed in 1898.

The issues
1869, 4d and 6d values only, imperforate and unwatermarked
1874, the same, on watermarked paper
1880 June, 7 values, line perforated, watermarked sideways
1880 October, 5 values, line perforated, watermarked upright
1881 May, all values. comb perforated, watermark upright
1886-93, eight values, with changes of colour.
The stamps normally passed twice through the plates, once for printing the colour, and a second time for the embossing

The various watermarks

Genuine and features

Genuine SG 10B
Make note of the following
1. & 2. The thickness of the frames
3. The shape of the G
4. The top of the A and the position and size of the letters
5. This spot of color – it does not appear on all stamps or may be very faint
6. The general shape of the chignon, normally with a second inside curl. This is not a determining factor but beware of curls that are noticeably inclined to the right
7. Note the thickness of the circle line
8. Note the direction the pearl points to
9. Note the shape and thickness of the corner ornaments

1869 Genuine Issues

The 1874 series are identical to the 1869 ones except on watermarked paper. The imperf forgeries are only distingishable in a few cases were a fake watermark was impressed.

Forgeries

At least 5 variations of the imperf issues have been categorized.
The forgers include Spiro, Spiotti, Oneglia and at least 2 others
Edoardo Spiotti was a stamp forger in the late 19th century from Genoa (Italy). He apparently worked very closely with the stamp forger Oneglia

Spiro forgery

The circle ring is thinner

The tip of the crown is different
The bottom curve of the bust is different

The curl of the hair is different

Otherwise, this is the best forgery I have found

Fournier forgery

This forgery sold by Fournier appear to be the same as the Spiro.

The source was then obviously Spiro or someone else who supplied both.

Oneglia/Spiotti forgeries

These are easily recognized by the very thick outer border

Also the inner circle is much thicker than the original.
They are embossed

Unknown forgers

Thick inner ring.

No serif on the "G"

Different hair curl

Wrong corner elements

Uneven letters

Crude queen outline

1886 genuine issues

 Oneglia/Spiotti forgeries

Again the main feature is the very thick outer border

Addendum

Genuine 1886-87 sheets