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| Batum 1919 |
troops after the March 1918 revolution.
On December 1, 1918, a British warship landed an armed force and proclaimed Batum British, and it remained under British occupation until July 7, 1920 , when it was evacuated.
Postal services were restored very soon after the port was occupied.
At first, letters were impressed with a rubber stamp "No stamps available - Paid in cash" and the amount paid added or initialled by the postmaster.
No obliterators were available so a sealing stamp was used instead.
Later the aloe tree stamps were printed at the local mint.
On the discovery of stocks of Russian stamps , these were issued with various types of overprints produced locally.
On evacuating the port all remainders and the lithographic stones were destroyed.
The first issue of Batum made its appearance on April 4, 1919. It was lithographed on medium thick greyish white wove paper with yellowish crinkled gun and issued imperforate in sheets of 198 (18 x 11) stamps.
The sheets were made up in groups of 4 transfer subjects (A, B, C, D) which allows for easy identification.
There are numerous color shades of each value.
The inscription at the top reads BATUMSKAYA POCHTA , ( 'Batum Post ' )
The number printed varies with experts but this a general consensus:
5 Kop - 51,285
10 Kop - 51,482
50 Kop - 206,120
1 Ru - 102,832
3 Ru - 26,522
5 Ru - 20,922
Obviously this is a small number to be able to find genuine issues 100 years later and indeed, forgeries are VERY plentiful.
Kopek/Ruble Differences
The Kopek and Ruble stamps have definite differences. (Kopek = K, Ruble = Ru)
1. K the R has small top, Ru it is large
2. K the A has a wide top, Ru it is pointed
3. K there are 6 bars, Ru there are 7 bars
4. K has 6 dots on top, Ru has 7 dots
5. K the branch angle is narrow, Ru the angle is wider
There are also many other minor differences in the oval elements and foliage
Genuine Stamps
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| Genuine Set |
Transfer Types
As noted the stamps were set in blocks of 4 transfers. By checking for the traits one can not only sort them by their types but also determine genuineness.
NOTE - these are not foolproof as variations do occur in the printing process.
5 Kopek
Type A
W shaped line between the TU
Type B
Dot between the YA
Dot left of the tree (found C also)
Small dot under right 5
Type C
Dot left of the tree
Dot left of left 5
Dot between branches
Line of dots above right 5
Type D
Dots between TU
10 Kopek
Type A
Dot at top between SK
Type B
Large dot on outer bottom frame
Type C
Dot above the M
Type D
Large dot between frames left of left 10
50 Kopek
Type A
Broken C at top
Left 5 close to frame and large space between
5 & 0
Type B
Small left 5
Right 0 close to frame, wide space between 5 & 0
Type C
Colored dot above PO
Type D
Left and right 0 close to frame
1 Ruble
Type A
Small dot right of 1
Large dot bottom right of A
Type B
White bulge above lower B
Type C
Stroke right of 1
Type D
Stroke under left 1
3 Ruble
Type AExtension of letter T at right top
Type B
Spot below letters YA not shown
Type C
Dot inside left 3
Type D
Stroke above right 3 and dot below
The top 2 stamps exhibit a rare fold. A 10Kop block has been found with the same fold
5 Ruble
Type A
Extension on top of the right arm of K
Type B
A dot in the right numeral tablet
Type C
A dot in the left numeral tablet
Type D
Not Identified
Forgeries
It is speculated that there are some 5 or 6 types of forgeries
The first two are common
The third one was reprinted many times and generally shows wear
The fourth is crude and apparently mainly known with the "British Occupation" overprint. (No sample available)
The fifth forgery uses the same die for all the values and is milky in color. It generally has a constant bogus cancel
The sixth series is possibly a sub-type of the second with wider spacing between the stamps
NOTE - my naming of the forgeries Type I, II, III etc. may not match some other authors nomenclature
Type I Forgery - very common
1. Large top of R
2. Thin letters
3. 7 dashes
4. 7 Dots on top instead of 6 ( in the Kopeck stamps)
5. Branch curves to the right
6. Element not found in genuine
7. Rose inner closed
Type 2 Forgery - very common
1. Small reverse R top as in genuine
2. Letters thick as i genuine
3. 7 dashes
4. 7 dots on top instead of 6 ( in the Kopeck stamps)
5. Branch curves to the right
6. In many cases the foot of the 1 is noticeably curved
7. Inner of rose is open
Type III Forgery - very uncommon - I have only seen the 10K
1. KA joined
2. Extension on top
3. Eye shape is closed - this is a key feature
4. Dots are very irregular
5. Branch lines up like the genuine
6. Large center shape
7. Very irregular undefined elements throughout
1. KA joined
2. Extension on top
3. Eye shape is closed - this is a key feature
4. Dots are very irregular
5. Branch lines up like the genuine
6. Large center shape
7. Very irregular undefined elements throughout
It is similar to the Type II
The left rose is more open
The letters are large - note the reverse R
Branches are similar to the Type II
Type V Forgery
This is also similar to the Type II but there are major differences with the size and shape of the top letters
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| Forgeries Type I & II |
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| Forgeries Type I & II |
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| Forgeries Type I & II Common Constant Bogus Cancel  |
