Although Naples was a part of the Kingdom of "Two Sicilies", many of the services were conducted independently in both kingdoms. Among others, the postal service was separate.
All the stamps are in Grana currency except a green mezzo (1/2) issued first and later followed by a 1/2 Grano
There are eight values made in Turin by Matraire, supplier of stamps to the Sardinian State.
Lithographic printing in sheets of 100: 2 blocks of 10x5 side by side.
Already a few weeks after the issue, postal counterfeits appeared of the 2, 5, 10 and 20 grana.
The leftovers or incomplete stamps had effigies applied or sold as frames only
This series also is very similar to that of the 4th of Sardinia & collectors often confuse them.
NOTE - this blog is a work in progress so initially the goal will be to list the 1861 genuine issues with their features and later to add forgeries
Genuine stamps
2. The bottom serif of the S is long & pointed
3. The top of the T appears rounded
4. The inner frame has breaks particularly in the area noted
5. The lower part of the C is thinner and more curved than the top
6. The right side of the N of FRANCO is shorter than the left side
7. The frame line above the value tends to have weak areas
8. The bottom right cross is the largest and often blends into the space on the left
2. There is a dash between the frame lines between PO
3. Above the left bottom cross there is a large color dot
4. On the right side above the cross there is a colored dash
2. The T has a short right foot
3. The bottom branch of the E is longer than the top
4. The bottom of the B is larger than the top
5. There are many breaks in the inner frame line
6. The R has a long pointed foot
7. There is generally a white area in the vertical background lines
2. There is generally a break in the inner frame below the OS
3. The bottom of the B is larger than the top
4. The N of FRANCO has a weak left leg and the right side is shorter
5. The frame line above the value is often broken
6. The A's of GRANA appear curved on the left side
7. The key feature is the dash joining the frames on the right side
2. The inner frame line has breaks particularly at the top
3. The right side of the N is shorter than the left side
4. The bottom of the B is larger than the top
5. The key feature is a small dot top left of the lower C
2. The lower section of the C of FRANCO is more curved and thinner than the top
3. Depending on inking the branches of the F of FRANCO appear joined
4. The key feature is a very small dot bottom right of DIECI
1. Inner frame line is broken mainly on the left side
5. The bottom curve of the G if often leaning right
2. The right side of the N is shorter than the left side
3. The 2nd O in BOLLO has a white spot
4. The right side of the bottom right cross is generally damaged
2. The lower section of the C of FRANCO is more curved and thinner than the top
A 2 Grana showing the reverse side
3. A key feature between the N and the head there is a small dot
4. A key feature on the right side frame there is a thin dash
5. The tail of the Q is thick and generally angled to the right.
MORE TO FOLLOW.....
