The stamps were issued in conjunction with the modernization of the Korean postal service at the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese war, and remained valid for use until Japanese take over of the Korean postal system.
Lithographed on white wove, unwatermarked paper by Andrew B. Graham Co., Washington, D. C. in sheets of 4 panes (2x2) of 100 stamps each, arranged 10 x 10.
Stamps were shipped to Korea imperforate, thence to Japan for perforating and then returned to Korea for issue. A variety of perforations occurred similar to Japanese stamps of the same period.
The Tae Geuk symbol which appears on the Korean flag would be similar in meaning to the Yin Yang symbol.
The Scott catalog does not provide any information on the 2 separate printings of this issue and most collectors are not aware or know how to differentiate them.
Lithographed on white wove, unwatermarked paper by Andrew B. Graham Co., Washington, D. C. in sheets of 4 panes (2x2) of 100 stamps each, arranged 10 x 10.
Stamps were shipped to Korea imperforate, thence to Japan for perforating and then returned to Korea for issue. A variety of perforations occurred similar to Japanese stamps of the same period.
The Tae Geuk symbol which appears on the Korean flag would be similar in meaning to the Yin Yang symbol.
The Scott catalog does not provide any information on the 2 separate printings of this issue and most collectors are not aware or know how to differentiate them.
One expert notes a difference in the paper used;
“That used for the 1st printing was finely meshed wove paper and took the ink so that it was relatively smooth and unblemished. That used for the 2nd printing was a coarser weave, like a basket weave and hard.
Thus it did not take the ink evenly and little horizontal white dashes appear.
Thus it did not take the ink evenly and little horizontal white dashes appear.
and unblemished."
Characteristics of the 2 printings - The first issue is on the left
The 1st issue is Yellow Green, the 2nd Bluish Green
The 1st issue has a dot between the two inner lower fame line. This is absent in the 2nd issue.
The 1st issue is referred to as being Bright Blue and the 2nd as Dull Blue but this will be of little help.
However the 1st issue has distinctive traits not found in the 2nd.
There is a small dot in the E of KOREA
There is a dot above the bottom inner frame line
The lower letter on the right has a break in it
The 1st issue is described as being Maroon color, the 2nd as Rose Red to Red Brick
The 1st issue as a distinct flaw mark in the top right side
The clear trait is a large dot after the 0 of the 50 in the 2nd issue which is not in the 1st.
Forgeries
All the forgeries I have observed are crude and poorly designed as well as very plentiful.
As such I have made some notations on the images but no descriptions.
As such I have made some notations on the images but no descriptions.
