The original dies were the work of different designers
1852 issue was made by Tomasso Rinaldi, that of the 1859 issue by Carlo Setti and
that of the 1859 newspaper tax by Felice Ricco.
The printing material was supplied for the 1852 by the firm of Rocca, Rinaldi and Algeri of Modena and for the 1859 issue by the engraver. The 1852 issue was printed by the Cameral Printing Office of the Ministry of Finance in Modena, the 1859 issue by the printer Carlo Vicenzi of Modena.
The 1859 newspaper tax stamp were printed singly with the original die by the printer Carlo Montroccoli of Modena.
The dies of the 1852 and 1859 issues had no value indication and the outside frame linc of the value tablet was omitted at the bottom.
This was done with the purpose of having the same stereotypes that could be used for all denominations and inserting a type-set value in each issue.
This resulted in a basic stamp face with many variations of the position, alignment and in particular the size, position and sometimes lack of the period after the value.
The CENT shows up as CNET (5, 19 and 40c), CEN1 (5c and newspaper 10c), EENT (10c), CE6T (10 & 40c), CENE (10 & 40c), CETN (15c) as well as 49 and 4C instead of the 40c value. There is a 1 invert on the 10c and sideways E (5c) and N (10c) in CENT.
In all, over 100 variations are noted in the Unificato catalog. Some of these are rare and increase the CV considerably.
Generally the 1852 printing was better performed than the 1859 resulting in clearer better defined stamps with less over-inking.
Although there was, except for the 20c, only one printing of each denomination, there are many distinct shades exist.
All Modena stamps were issued imperforate, the dividing lines serving as the only separation aid.
There were considerable remainders of most issues and they were sold to dealers.
There is speculation that although some values had large quantities of remainders, their values are basically equal indicating that much of the remainders may have been destroyed.
The amount of remainders probably accounts for unused ungummed stamps being relatively easy to acquire.
Genuine Stamps
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| Note 25c Color Error |
Quantities Issued
5 cent. Green 1,812,720
5 cent. Olive Green 120,000
10 cent. Rose 526,080
15 cent. Yellow 838,080
25 cent. Chamois 998,160
40 cent. Light Blue 17,280 (very high CV Unused)
40 cent. Blue 501,600
I Lira White 48,000
5 cent. Green 1,812,720
5 cent. Olive Green 120,000
10 cent. Rose 526,080
15 cent. Yellow 838,080
25 cent. Chamois 998,160
40 cent. Light Blue 17,280 (very high CV Unused)
40 cent. Blue 501,600
I Lira White 48,000
Genuine Features
2. Bottom foot of I generally missing on the right
3. Horizontal bar of cross slightly tilted
4. Large round dot
5. Broken frame line
6. Generally open on left, right side may also be open
7. Triangles inside the crown are uniform very visible
8. Beak is slightly open - note the curve on the beak
9. Left claw is horizontal
10. Left ribbon behind twig, right side in front of twig
11. Frame line open both ends
12. Weak spot, may be open
13. Decorations joined
Difference between First & Second printing
Chemical Alterations
I point out 2 possible Chemical alterations.
Errors
There are many errors in the first issues not to be taken for forgeries. Here are a few...
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| CETN instead of CENT |
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| Sc 4c Color Error |
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| Sc 7c CE6T instead of CENT |
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| Sc 5ab CE6T instead of CENT |
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| CNET instead of CENT |
Forgeries
As genuine unused stamps are relatively easy to find, most forgers concentrated their efforts on producing fake cancellations.
Forgeries of the unused stamps are VERY plentiful but easy to recognize.
Forgeries of the unused stamps are VERY plentiful but easy to recognize.
Fournier/Spiro Forgeries
The same forgeries show up with both resellers. So perhaps they both acquired them from a 3rd party or Fournier may have purchased the stock from Spiro after they ended their business.
The same forgeries show up with both resellers. So perhaps they both acquired them from a 3rd party or Fournier may have purchased the stock from Spiro after they ended their business.
2. The frame corner breaks are missing
3. The crown lacks the triangular projections
3. The eagle head is very different and most of the items noted in the genuine (left) are missing
4. The numerals are large in comparison to CENT
5. There is a thin line under CENT
6. These is a scratch through the S of POSTE
Fournier full sheets - from Spiro?
Torres Forgeries
Placido Ramon De Torres was a period illustrator of many well known stamp catalogs
Born in Estepona, Malaga in 1847, he collaborated with other well known Spanish forgers of that period.
Although few experts attribute forgeries to him, he was perhaps one of the most prolific forger as his personal 218 page forgery catalog of 1896 illustrates.
Although he made some good forgeries, many are rather crude and in bogus colors.
The Italian States are well represented in his catalog
Born in Estepona, Malaga in 1847, he collaborated with other well known Spanish forgers of that period.
Although few experts attribute forgeries to him, he was perhaps one of the most prolific forger as his personal 218 page forgery catalog of 1896 illustrates.
Although he made some good forgeries, many are rather crude and in bogus colors.
The Italian States are well represented in his catalog
The left side of the next 2 is his catalog image
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| Bogus Colors |
Unknown Forger
2. The crown is crudely shaped
3. No breaks in the frame lines
4. Very large claws
5. Corner elements have no shading
Unknown "masked bird"
1. Small crown
2. Values are thick
3. Bottom right corner element distorted
4. Claws are flat
5. Feathers are well detailed
6. Head appears to be masked
Crest Head - Unknown Forger
2. The crown is short
3. No right break on the top inner line
4. An extra left side tail feather
5. Different font on the 40c
Hook Beak - Forger Unknown
2. The breaks are as with the genuine
3. There is a break in the crown left of the cross
4. The numerals are large and appear to have a disturbed frame line either above or below
5. The cancels match those of the Fournier/Spiro forgeries but I have no other information
Martin Forgeries - 1930
These are attributed to a dealer (Mr Martin?) but I have no other information
They are found without gum and often in pairs.
1. The corner elements are almost completely shaded
2. The frame lines have no breaks
3. The cross is very small and not well defined
Double frame forgery - Forger unknown
2. No break on the right top inner frame
3. The eagle head is very different
4. There is a tiny dot on the end of the right leaf twig
3. The eagle head is very different
4. There is a tiny dot on the end of the right leaf twig
Head touching frame forgery - Forger unknown
1. Head of bird touches the crown
2. Head different from genuine
3. Lower frame line not broken
4. 5 is larger than original
3. Lower frame line not broken
4. 5 is larger than original
Round Beak Forgery - Forger unknown
2. The eagle has an odd rounded head
3. The side ornaments are thin with no end curls
4. The corner elements are large
Unknown Fake
2. Head and beak very different
3. Top inner right line has no right break
4. Left corner elements are incomplete
5. Too much blank space in body
Primitive Forgery
2. Side ornaments very crude
3. Odd eagle head
4. No shading feathers on body
5. No breaks in frame lines
Modern Double frame line forgery - forger unknown
2. There is no dot on the end of the right leaf twig
3. Top inner corner is not broken
4. Tail feathers all same length
5. Claws even goth sides
Log Sitting Eagle - Forger unknown
2. Eagle has large curved beak
3. Eagle is resting on a log
4. No breaks in frame lines
5. No dot above right leaves
6. Odd corner elements
Large crown forgery - forger unknown
2. No dot above right branch
3. Pointed tail feather
4. No claws on left foot
5. Beak not open
6. Large ball under cross
7. Wide crown
Tilted cross forgery - forger unknown
1. Top letters are uneven
2. No break in the inner right frame line
3. The cross is slanted
4. The central tail feather is pointed and inclined left
Short Beak Forgery - forger unknown
1. The beak is too short
2. The neck and breast lack feathers
3. The pearls in the crown are lacking
4. The cross is not distinct
5, Frame line above the 5 is very thick
2. The neck and breast lack feathers
3. The pearls in the crown are lacking
4. The cross is not distinct
5, Frame line above the 5 is very thick
Thin Letters forgery - forger unknown
2. Cross has no horizontal
3. Corner elements all different
4. Top side ribbons have an incomplete curve
Reported Usigli Proof?
Provisionals & Newspaper Tax stamps to follow...
