Romania 1885-1926

May 10, 2015, 3:40 pm

1885-89 Scott 84 10b rose/pale buff "King Carol I"

Quick History
Karl of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, well placed with relatives in both the Prussian ruling family and the French Bonaparte family, became King of Romania in 1881 after fifteen years as the Romanian Prince.

Romania, during this period, was heavily influenced by French culture, which clearly is reflected in the stamp designs.

Purple: Kingdom of Romania (1881-1913)

Orange: Territory added after Second Balkan War & WWI, but lost after WW II

Rose: Territory added after WW I

The "Old Kingdom" lasted until the Second Balkan War and WW I, when King Carol I died in 1914, and Greater Romania acquired new lands ( Southern Dobruja, Transylvania, Banat, Bessarabia, Bukovina) as spoils of war.

Since territorial gain/loss is a zero sum game, read about the dismantling of the Austro-Hungarian Empire here....

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com/2012/11/ClassicalStampsHungary19161940.html

Historical Regions of Greater Romania 1918-40

Greater Romania, between 1918-40, enjoyed excellent economic growth, and advanced to second in Europe in both oil and food production.

1900 Scott 143 50b orange "King Carol I"

Into the Deep Blue
This is the second of three blog posts on Romania, and I will cover the stamp issuing years of 1885-1926 here.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
40 Parale = 1 Piaster
100 Bani = 1 Leu (plural "Lei") (1868)

1885-89 Scott 76 3b violet (White paper)

1885-89 Scott 81 3b violet/bluish (Tinted Paper)

Between 1885-89, a five stamp issue on white paper, and an eight stamp issue on tinted paper was released. Of interest, Scott gives the different papers all major numbers. There was also a six stamp issue on thin pale yellowish paper with watermark 163 "Coat of Arms" released in 1889.

1890 Scott 99 25b gray blue , Wmk 163

The 1890 seven stamp issue with this design also had the "Coat of Arms" watermark.

Wmk 163 "Coat of Arms"; Wmk 164 "PR"

Here is a pic of the "Coat of Arms" and "PR" watermarks.

1891 Scott 107 50b orange, Unwmk

In contrast, the 1901 seven stamp issue, with the same or slightly different colors compared to the 1890 issue, had no watermark. Yes, watermarking this design will be necessary. ;-)

1891 Scott 112 15b gray brown

25th Year of the Reign of Carol I

A five stamp issue was produced in 1891 without watermark to celebrate the 25th year reign of Carol I as Prince (1866) and King (1881).

In 1894, four more stamps were issued, several in similar colors, but with watermark "PR".

Forgeries have been produced for this issue.

For a genuine specimen, look at the horizontal shading lines inside the vignette oval. The uppermost line is thicker in the middle and tapered at both ends. The lowest shading line is curved upwards at one or both ends.

In contrast, a common forgery has short straight shading lines of the same thickness as the other shading lines for the uppermost and lowest lines, according to Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries -2000).

(For those using- "Focus on Forgeries "c2000- be aware that the illustrations for the genuine vs forgery is mistakenly switched for this issue.)

1893 Scott 117 1b pale brown, "Bani" script

A new design issue was released between 1893-98 on 15 stamps, and has watermark "PR" (Wmk 164 & Wmk 200, -Wmk 200 is a variation on "PR" script).

1893 Scott 131 2 l orange & brown

The 1893-98 stamps are bicolored for the two highest denominations.

1901 Scott 133 1b brown, "Ban" script

Using the same design, but on unwatermarked paper, another 16 stamp issue was released between 1900-03. Some stamps have the same color as the 1893-98 stamps, and some have different colors

Scott states this issue is characterized by thin paper, and tinted rose on back. I did not appreciate the distinction much, finding the unwatermarked state of the paper more helpful.

Note the 1900-03 issue has both "bani" and "ban" script stamps for the 1b denomination.

1903 Scott 147 2 l red brown & black

Like the 1893-98 issue, the 1900-03 issue has bicolors for the higher denominations.

Be aware that, besides the 1893-98 and 1900-03 issue, there is a ten stamp 1900 wmk 167 "Coat of Arms covering 25 stamps" issue, and an unwmk 1911-19 six stamp "Types of 1893-99" issue with the same designs. All in all, these issues require attention to color, paper, and watermarks for proper identification.

1906 Scott 185 2 l orange & black

"King Carol I at Shrine of St. Nicholas"

40 Years Rule of Carol I as Prince and King

The year 1906 was the 25th anniversary of the Kingdom and the 40th year of rule for Carol I. Naturally, stamps marked the occasion.

A lovely engraved ten stamp bicolored issue was released for the 40 years of rule for Carol I as prince and king. The issue has various scenes of his official life.

1906 Scott 181a 25b olive green & black

"Romanian Army Crossing Danube"

Scott 181a never placed in use

Ultramarine & black is the nominal color for the 25b denomination. But an olive green & black color, albeit never placed in use, can be found be collections.

1906 Scott 191 25b ultramarine & black "King Carol I"

25th Anniversary of the Kingdom

A 10 stamp set for the 25th anniversary of the Kingdom was also released in 1906. CV ranges from <$1-$1+ for nine stamps.

King Carol I

Carol I was an able commander, and led the Romanian troops during the Russo-Turkish War.

1906 Scott 206 3 l brown orange & brown

"Queen Elizabeth (Carmen Sylva)"

Another eleven stamp issue was released in 1906 for the General Exposition. These stamps were only available July 19-31, 1906, and only valid for those dates! But the remainders were sold privately by the promoters of the Exposition. The CV for the lower denominations is $1+-$3, but the three highest denominations are CV $25-$42+. These higher denominations (1.50l, 2.50l, 3l) have also been forged.

The 3 l brown orange & brown (shown above) shows a small cross on the queen's crown in the genuine specimen. The forgery has a "blob" for the cross, according to Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries -c2000).

Of interest, Queen Elizabeth (Elisabeth of Wied) never delivered a male heir.

1908 Scott 211 40b bright green

Engraved; Various Shades

Between 1908-18, a 10 stamp engraved issue was produced. Here I show that, in my accumulation of 40b "bright green" stamps, there are, at least, three shades. ;-) I don't know if these shades are "real", or merely chemical changelings.

1909 Scott 220 10b rose

Typography

Also, between 1909-18, a seven stamp typographed issue was produced. The vignette differs (A46), mainly by the ultra-long beard, compared to the 1908-18 (A44, A45) set.

1919 Scott 227 50b dull red

Types of 1893-99

Remember I mentioned before about a "Types of 1893-99" 1911-19 set? Well, here it is. ;-) The six stamp set is on white unwatermarked paper. The set is also in different colors compared to the earlier issues.

1913 Scott 237 50b yellow & blue

"Romanian Crown and Old Fort on Danube"

Romania's Annexation of Silistra

The Second Balkan War (June 28, 1913-July 13, 1913) resulted in Bulgaria losing additional territory, and Romania obtaining southern Dobruja and Silistra. (Refer to prior illustrated map.)

A ten stamp issue was released December 25, 1913 celebrating the annexation.

1918 Scott 241 5b yellow green, Overprinted in Black

Genuine, Forgery, Forgery

In 1918, a two stamp overprinted issue was released. The overprint was produced by typography. And, naturally, numerous overprinted forgeries also exist, even though the CV is <$1. Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries c2000) discusses some of the genuine and forgery characteristics.

The left stamp probably is genuine, as the lines in the rope are thin and clearly printed- and the looped portion of the "1" is oval. The center stamp has the looped portion of the "1" round, and is a probable forgery. Th right stamp appears to have a crude handstamp: a forgery.

1919 Scott 245 1b black, Red overprint

Recovery of Transylvania and the return of the King to Bucharest

Ah, the territorial spoils of WWI! (And, in this case, vampires and Dracula! ;-)

Hungary (in various forms) had actually occupied Transylvania since the 10th century. But Hungarian, Romanian, and German speaking peoples could all be found there.

But after WWI, Austria-Hungary collapsed, and the ethnic Romanians of Transylvania declared unity with Romania on December 1, 1918.

1,600,000 Hungarians ended up inside the borders of Romania. !!

Three stamps were overprinted in 1919 for the "Recovery of Transylvania".

1920 Scott 254 40b gray brown "King Ferdinand"

White paper & Coarse paper varieties

The 1920-22 issue of thirteen stamps is found with either white or coarse grayish paper. The Scott catalogue, though, has not created any minor numbers for the paper varieties.

King Ferdinand had been king since October 10, 1914, but only in 1920 is there a stamp issue with his portrait produced. Ferdinand had been the heir-presumptive to the throne of his childless Uncle Carol I since 1886, as his father (1880), and his brother (1886) had both renounced their rights.

Ferdinand's coronation didn't occur until October 15, 1922 at the historic princely seat of Alba lulia, in Transylvania.

1920-26 2 l light green "King Ferdinand"

Scott 271a (Type I), 271 (Type II), 271b (Type III)

The 1920-26 issue has 22 major number descriptions. Of interest to WW classical collectors are the 2 l, 3 l, and 5 l denominations, which can be found with different numeral types. Some types are major numbers, some types are minor numbers.

Shown above are the three "2" numeral types. Scott has illustrations and descriptions for all the types.

1920-26 Scott 272 3 l blue (Type I); Scott 273 3 l buff (Type II)

The 3 l numeral is found in two types.

1920-26 5 l light brown & brown

Scott 277a ( Type I); 277 (Type II)

And the 5 l numeral is also found in two types.

Deep Blue

1906 Issue in Deep Blue

All the major numbers are represented in the Deep Blue (Steiner) album. But there are no spaces for the minor number numeral types found for the 1920-26 (Scott 261-282) issue. And certainly the 1920-22 (Scott 248-260) issue with two paper types, not the least because Scott does not even give them minor numbers, do not have a space. Extra/quadrilled pages may be needed.

1906 Scott 180 15b dull violet & black

"Carol I as Prince in 1866 and King in 1906"

Big Blue

The Big Blue checklist and comments for Romania are found in the 1858-1880 blog post.

The '69 and later edition BBs have the same coverage as the 1940s editions, except the '69 and later editions include 1872-78 Scott 59 50b rose on pale rose (CV $42.50!), and 1879 Scott 70-72.

1906 Scott 204 1.50 l red lilac & black brown "King Carol I"

Genuine: Two vertical lines in Shako Plume; Forgery: One thick irregular line

Out of the Blue

I continue to be enamored with Romanian stamps- can you blame me? ;-)

Note: King Carol I pic and maps appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

↧

Romania and Forgeries

May 16, 2015, 11:08 am

≫ Next: Ile Rouad (Arwad Island)

≪ Previous: Romania 1885-1926

Forgery 1903 Scott 164 40b dull green

"Mail Coach leaving Post Office"

Into the Deep Blue
Without a doubt, the WW classical era collector will have some forgeries in their Romania collection.

Fortunately, there is help.

One of the best, if not the best, stamp websites focusing on a philatelic country is available for Romania.

http://www.romaniastamps.com/

There, one will find comparison illustrations and descriptions for genuine/forgery stamps.

Ah, if a site like this was available for all countries/major collecting areas with an emphasis on forgeries, what a wonderful "world" it would be for us naive lambs that do indeed collect the world. ;-)

Another helpful resource is Varro Tyler's book- "Focus on Forgeries c2000", which has 10 pages for Romania.

And presented here are some of the common forgeries in my own collection.

1903 "Mail Coach" Issue - Genuine

The 1903 eight stamp (Scott 158-165) "Mail Coach" issue was intended to help commemorate the opening of a new main Post Office in Bucharest. The issue is on thin "tinted rose on face" paper, with perforations 14 X 13 1/2.

It is a lovely striking design.

1903 "Mail Coach" Issue - Forgeries

But Scott has a note: "Counterfeits are plentiful"- and, are they ever! ;-)

Varro Tyler states there are actually two forgeries- the common one shown here is called "Type I", and is apparently the work of the E. Cote printing firm in Paris. Tyler also comments that the Type I forgery is so common, it probably outnumbers genuines.

Let's take a closer look....

Genuine 1903 Scott 159 3b brown violet

"Mail Coach leaving Post Office"

There are three good signs that help distinguish a genuine.

Genuine: Horse Forefoot touches Whiffletree

The most obvious (to me) is the horse's forefoot touches the whiffletree in front in the genuines, which is not the case for the Type I forgeries.

Genuine: Rider's Hat Sign

On the rider's hat, there are two feathers. The left, longer, and lower feather is definitely attached to the hat, while the right shorter feather does not touch the hat or the lower feather (or just barely).

Genuine: Ball is attached at the top of left Stairway Rail

The left ball at the top of the stairs on the rail is definitely attached to the rail.

Forgery 1903 Scott 162 15b black

Now, let's look at the common Type I forgery.

Forgery: Horse Forefoot does not touch Whiffletree

For Type I, the forefoot and whiffletree do not touch.

Forgery: Rider's Hat Sign

The feathers on the hat form a "V", and they do not (or just barely) touch the hat itself.

Forgery: Ball is floating above the left Stairway Rail

The left ball at the top of the stairs is not attached to the railing in the Type I forgery.

1932 Scott 428 16l blue green

"Mail Coach Type of 1903"

Be aware there there was also a 1932 Scott 428 16 l blue green stamp issued for the 30th anniversary of the opening of the new Post office in Bucharest.

It resembles a bit the description for the much scarcer cruder Romanian origin Type II forgery- " Horse forefoot and wiffletree touch each other, and the hat feathers resemble a "Y" that is firmly attached to the hat".

Genuine: 1906 Semi-postal "Queen Elizabeth Spinning" Issue

The 1906 four stamp semi-postals "Queen Spinning" issue (Scott B1-B4) is rather stunning in design.

Genuine: 1906 Scott B2 5b (+10b) light green

"Queen Elizabeth Spinning"

The insatiable packet trade needed stamps, and Belgium source forgeries were produced.

But the forgeries are easily distinguished- let's take a look.

Genuine: a Hyphen between "Romania" and "Posta"

The genuines have a hyphen between "Romania" and "Posta". In addition, the top portion of the "R" in the "Facere" script is small, and the top of the "S" and "T" touch the border.

Forgery: 1906 Scott B2 5b (+10b) light green

The forgeries have an obvious mistake. Do you see it?

Forgery: No Hyphen between "Romania" and "Posta"

There is no hyphen! And note the top portion of the "R" in the "Facere" script is large, and the top of the "S" and "T" do not touch the border.

Genuine: 1906 Semi-postal "Queen Elizabeth Weaving" Issue

The "Queen Weaving" semi-postals of 1906 (Scott B5-B8) are illustrated here.

Genuine: 1906 Scott B6 5b (+10b) blue green

"Queen Elizabeth Weaving"

This issue was also forged by the Belgium group.

Genuine: Right innermost vertical frame line

does not touch horizontal frame line below

Note the characteristic sign for the genuine illustrated here. In addition, the left inner vertical frame line continues in-between the laurel leaves.

Genuine: Face and Lattice

The latticework is finer and more complete.

Forgery: 1906 Scott B6 5b (+10b) blue green

Now, let's take a look at the forgery....

Forgery: Right innermost vertical frame line

does touch horizontal frame line below

Note the sign above. Also the left inner vertical frame line does not continue in-between the laurel leaves.

Forgery: Face and Lattice

The latticework is crude, and the face likewise.

Out of the Blue

I must admit I enjoy forgeries- especially the more common ones found distributed through the packet trade.

But it is only enjoyable if one can identify them. ;-)

Have a comment?

↧

Ile Rouad (Arwad Island)

May 22, 2015, 3:22 pm

≫ Next: Ruanda-Urundi

≪ Previous: Romania and Forgeries

1916 Scott 11 1pi on 25c blue

Stamps of French Offices in Levant

1902-06, Overprinted Horizontally

Quick History
Ile Rouad (Arwad Island) is located in the Mediterranean Sea just 2 miles off the coast from Tartus, south of Latakia, Syria. But on September 1, 1915, it was occupied by French Forces, and served as a staging ground for incursions into the Ottoman territory (Damascus 1918).

Ottoman Empire before WW I (Red-brown)

The island (known as Ruad) had likewise served as a staging ground during the Crusades of the 13th century.

Location of Ile Rouad

The island is quite small (800 meters X 600 meters), and today the fishing town of Arwad with a population of 4,000 people fills the entire land.

View of Ile Rouad (Arwad) 1935

In 1919, the island became part of the French T.E.O ( Territorires Ennemis Occupes), and the stamp issues of French occupied Syria were used.

French Syria 1924

On September 20, 1920, Ile Rouad was absorbed into the Alawite State ("Alaouites").

For subsequent history, see my postings on Alaouites and Latakia.

For a nice overview, check out Michael Adkins's Dead Countries Stamps and Banknotes.

1916 Scott 5 2c lilac brown

Stamps of French Offices in Levant, 1902-06

Overprinted Horizontally

Into the Deep Blue
The 20111 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Ile Rouad 1916, 16 major descriptions. Of those, 8 are CV $1+-$2+, or 50%. Of interest, Scott has used and unused at the same CV for the horizontally overprinted stamps, although I suspect genuine used stamps are scarcer.

A post office was opened up on Ile Rouad in early 1916.

The initial issue had three stamps with a vertical overprint using the stamps of the French Offices in the Levant, 1902-06. Scott states the stamps were first issued January 12, 1916, but other sources have April 5. This was a speculative handstamped overprint instigated by the stamp dealer Felix Cohen. The CV today is $250 for each of these. Scott has a note that dangerous counterfeit overprints exist for this vertical overprint issue.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
25 Centimes = 1 Piaster

1916 Scott 4 1c gray

Stamps of French Offices in Levant, 1902-06

Overprinted Horizontally

The horizontally placed "Ile Rouad" overprint stamps on the 1902-06 French Offices in the Levant issue arrived November, 1916.

The issue consists of 13 Scott major descriptive numbers, and the CV is $1+- $4+ for 10 stamps.

1920 Scott 4b 1c slate color variation

Anybody who collects this well known French design has come across color variations for the 1c. Here the slate is shown.

1918 Scott 4a 1c gray, Grayish paper

(G. C. "Grande Consommation")

And the grayish paper varieties (G.C.) used during WW I are here as well.

1916 Scott 9 15c pale red

As I mentioned, Scott values unused and used at the same price. I would think genuinely used specimens would be scarcer; certainly of more interest.

1916 Scott 9 with Postmark emphasized

Using the University of Utah web site retroReveal, I tried to get a better view of the postmark. My best guess is "Port Said", ????? -which is now part of Egypt. Was the stamp and cover cancelled there? Readers- what do you think?

1916 Scott 11 with Postmark emphasized

I also applied the retoReveal channels to the 1pi on 25c specimen heading this post. Here, I was more fortunate, as I found an example of the postmark with an internet search.

"Ile Rouad"& "Postes Francaises" !!!

Deep Blue

1916 Horizontally Overprinted Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has one page for the modest output of Ile Rouad. All major numbers have a space. Naturally, if one is also collecting minor number color variations, or the wartime G.C. paper issues, one will need additional space.

1916 Scott 6 3c red orange

Big Blue
Big Blue '69 has one line and eight spaces for the stamps of Ile Rouad. Total coverage is 50%- not bad. The '69 edition has the coverage after Romania, and on the same page as Ponta Delgada and Roman States. The 40s editions have the same coverage- eight spaces- after Rhodesia and Roman States.

There are no expensive stamps ($10 or greater) for Rouad in BB.

Of interest, BB has "2c violet brown" descriptive space, which now is a minor number color ( 1920 Scott 5b). The major number color today is lilac brown. I checked the 1947 Scott, and they have the minor number "violet brown" as the main color. This is another example of BB not being updated to align with the modern Scott catalogue. Of course, the collector may put either the major number or minor number color stamp into the space.

Checklist

1916

4, 5b* or 5, 6,7,8,9,10.(11),

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

C) *5b- BB has "2c violet brown", which now is a minor number color ( 1920 Scott 5b). The major number color now is lilac brown.

1916 Scott 7 5c green

Out of the Blue
I love dead countries, the deader, the better. ;-)

Note: Maps and pics appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

Ottoman Built Fortress of Rouad

Used as a prison during the French Occupation

↧

Ruanda-Urundi

May 28, 2015, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Russia

≪ Previous: Ile Rouad (Arwad Island)

1931 Scott 42 50c gray lilac "Cape Buffalo"

Quick History
When German East Africa was occupied, and then dismantled after WW I, the lands were acquired by Belgium ( Ruanda-Urundi), Portugal ( Kionga triangle), with the largest share going to Great Britain (Tanganyika).

Ruanda-Urundi (dark green) and the Belgian Congo ( light green) 1935

Troops from the Belgian Congo had occupied this territory in 1916 during the East African Campaign. The military occupation lasted until 1924, when the territory was mandated to Belgium by the League of Nations.

Ruanda-Urundi

Stamps were introduced in 1924 by overprinting those of the Belgium Congo. (Belgium occupation stamps of 1916-1922 are listed under German East Africa.)

The capital was Usumbura, and the population was 3,700,000 in 1940.

Rwanda and Burundi

Ruanda-Urundi (Also known as Belgium East Africa) remained a Belgium mandate to 1945. It was administered as part of the Belgium Congo, but with separate financial funds. Coffee was the main exploitative economy.

It became a United Nations Trust Territory (administered by Belgium) between 1946-1962. Finally, the territory became the independent countries of Rwanda and Burundi.

1924 Scott 6 5c orange yellow "Unbangi Woman"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Ruanda-Urundi 1924-1938, 71 major number descriptions. Of those, 58 are CV <$1-$1+, or 82%. Clearly, a Ruanda-Urundi collection is inexpensive for the WW classical collector.

Of interest, the current Scott catalogue for Ruand-Urundi begins with number 6 - what happened to "Scott 1-5"? It turns out those numbers were for 1922 Belgium occupation stamps of German East Africa, and they were moved into the Belgium occupation stamp section of German East Africa in the current catalogue. The 40s editions Scott catalogue had the stamps listed under "Belgium East Africa" as Scott 1-5.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1924 20c olive green "Ubangi Man"

Stamps of the Belgium Congo 1923-26 were overprinted as shown between 1924-26 for Ruanda- Urundi. The eighteen stamp issue has 12 subjects which consists of native portraits and activities. The original Belgium Congo stamps were engraved by the American Bank Note Company of New York, and are lovely indeed.

1926 Scott 10 20c green "Weaving"

The CV for the 1924-26 issue is <$1 for 15 stamps.

1929 Scott 27 15c olive brown "Babuende Woman"

The 1927-29 eight stamp issue used the same designs from the Belgium Congo 1923-27 issue, but overprinted in a wider format, as shown. CV is <$1-$1+.

1938 Scott 37 5c deep lilac rose "Porter"

The signature issue ( for me) is the 1931-38 eighteen stamp production featuring native peoples and scenes. These stamps were engraved in Paris.

1931 Scott 38 10c gray "Mountain Scene"

I suspect this is a revenue cancellation.

1931 Scott 39 15c pale red "Warrior"

The CV is <$1 for all but one stamp.

1931 Scott 41 40c green "Cattle Herders"

The issue has sixteen portraits or scenes, all exquisitely engraved.

1931 Scott 44 75c gray black "Bahutu Greeting"

Names on stamps for native peoples is not always clear, but the general language spoken is part of the Bantu group.

Bantu dialects

There are about 650 Bantu dialect languages. The larger language groups include the Luba (13.5 million), the Zulu (10 million), and the Kikuyu (6 million). The lingua franca today for 140 million people is Swahili.

1931 Scott 45 1fr rose red "Barundi Women"

The Burundi area was an indigenous kingdom for 200 years prior to the arrival of the German colonists. It was inhabited by the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi peoples. During the Belgium hegemony of Ruanda-Urundi, the Tutsi were favored over the Hutu, which contributed to later political turmoil.

1931 Scott 46 1.25fr red brown "Bahutu Mother"

The Belgians did little to directly educate the indigenous peoples, relying on the Catholic (subsidised) and Protestant (unsubsidised) missionaries.

1831 Scott 53 10fr brown violet "Watusi Warriors"

The Tutsi or "Watusi" warriors were quite impressive to the Europeans. Glenn Kittler, who wrote popular books about Africa, opines....

" For the most colorful and exciting dancing, you must go to Ruanda-Urundi... east of the Congo. Here the ruling tribe is the Watusi, the tallest people in the world. It has been said that these giants are born six feet tall, and when you walk among them you can believe it. Men towering seven or eight feet are a common sight. Women gain height by having their heads bound into conical shape in infancy, then training their thick hair to grow straight up to add a few inches. Beholding these lean, dignified, soft-spoken giants is quite overwhelming--and they know it. "

1924 Scott J3 15c violet

Belgian Congo Overprinted

Postage Due stamps, seven in the issue, were produced between 1924-27. They consisted of overprinted Belgian Congo stamps. CV is <$1.

Deep Blue

1931-38 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has seven pages for the stamps of Ruanda-Urundi, and all the major Scott numbers have a space.

1931 Scott 40 25c brown violet "Kraal"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one page, has 31 spaces for the stamps of Ruanda-Urundi. Coverage is 44%. The page is found before the Russia pages.

Of interest, the 1940s editions coverage- which is the same- is under "Belgium East Africa", and is located between Bechuanaland Protectorate and Belgium.

There are no "expensive stamps": In fact, the highest CV is $1.25 !

Because of the inexpensive nature of Ruanda-Urundi stamps, BB could have added more spaces. I count 26 stamps with CV <$1-$1+ that are not in BB.

Checklist

1924-25

6,7,8,9,11,

13,14,16,15,18,

1931-38

38,39,40,42,

1931-38

37,41,43,44,46,

1934

55,

1937

47,49,

Semi-Postal

1936

B12,B13,B14,

Postage Due

1924

J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J7,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

1924 Scott J2 10c deep rose

Out of the Blue

The 1931-38 native peoples and scenes engraved issue is, for me, one of the better issues among all of the WW colonial era output.

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!

↧

Russia

June 3, 2015, 11:03 am

≫ Next: Samoa 1877-1899 and the Express Reprint/Forgeries

≪ Previous: Ruanda-Urundi

1866 Scott 20 3k black & deep green "Coat of Arms"

Russian Empire

Quick History
The Russian Empire, an absolute monarchy from 1721 to 1905, and then a constitutional monarchy until the February and October revolutions of 1917, was ruled by the Tsars. The heavily rural and economic backward lands were still worked by serfs until they were liberated in 1861. The Industrial Revolution came late to Russia, compared to Western Europe, and the stunning defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) was a severe blow to the Tsarist government.

Russian Empire 1914

Tsar Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland, and titular King of Poland, and ruled absolutely from 1894 to 1905, and then constitutionally until his abdication in March, 1917.

Tsar Nicholas II

Nicholas II, who actually was of primary German decent, was related by blood to much of European royalty: King Christian IX of Denmark (Grandparent), King Frederick VII of Denmark, George I of Greece, Queen Alexandra ( consort of King Edward VII), Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, King George V, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway, King Constantine I of Greece, and King Frederick William III of Prussia.

But ill winds were blowing, primarily of the Bolshevik kind, and all the relationship royalty could not save him and his wife, his son, his four daughters, the family's medical doctor, the footman, the maidservant, and the family's cook, who were all executed on the night of July 16/17, 1918.

Russia (yellow) -Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic- within the U.S.S.R.

The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic was a sovereign state from 1917-22, then the leading member of the Soviet Union (USSR) until 1991. The USSR was a Marxist-Leninist single party state lead initially by Vladimir Lenin and the Communist Party, with Moscow as the capital.

The capital had been St. Petersburg between 1730-1917, and the population of Russia was 181,000,000 in 1916.

Between 1917-22, there was a civil war between pro-revolution Reds and the counter-revolution Whites. The Reds were victorious, and the Soviet Union was formed with the unification of the Russian, Transcaucasian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian Republics.

The USSR also included Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, who had issued their own stamps.

After Lenin's death in 1924, Joseph Stalin ruled with a totalitarian iron fist until his death in 1953.

The history of Russia could be expanded to the size of a Tolstoy novel. The classical collector may want to become more familiar with it, especially the revolutionary 1917-22 era.

1913 Scott 100 70k yellow green & brown

"Michael Feodorovich"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Russia 1857-1943, 1415 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 661 are CV <$1-$1+, or 46.7%. Of interest, commemoratives of the 1930s and air post issues generally have a higher CV.

Russia, like the U.S. or China, is a world to itself, and one could spend a lifetime studying the philatelic output. I should have 3-4 blog posts devoted to the stamps of Russia, but I will reluctantly have only one. So with the WW classical collector in mind, I will mostly focus on the trickier earlier Russian Empire issues.

For the last part, we will look at some forgeries of the 1919 Army of the North issues.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Kopecks = 1 Ruble

1865 Scott 12 1k black & yellow "Coat of Arms"

Wove Paper

In order for the classical collector to successfully categorize the earlier typographic stamps of the Russian Empire, awareness of several things are necessary.

* Paper (Whether wove, horizontally laid, or vertically laid.)
* The Posthorn motif and the absence or presence of "Thunderbolts".
* Watermarks- or lack thereof.

The first stamps of the Empire all show the "Coat of Arms" design (1857-1912), and naturally have Cyrillic script, which is somewhat difficult for collectors from Roman script countries to interpret.

Therefore, attention to detail is advised. ;-)

The 1865 six stamp issue- shown above- is of wove paper and is unwatermarked.

No Thunderbolts across Post Horns

In addition, the earlier issues (1857-1888) show no thunderbolts across the Post Horns. This is very useful to separate out the earlier from the later (1889-1912) issues.

1866 Scott 19 1k black & yellow "Coat of Arms"

Horizontally Laid Paper, Wmk 168

Looks like the same stamp as the preceding one, doesn't it?

The 1866-70 six stamp issue is characterized by the horizontally laid paper, and to a lesser extent, by the wmk 168.

Horizontally Laid Paper

Wmk 168- Wavy Lines noted

The horizontally laid paper for the Russian issues will show horizontal parallel dark lines on the back of the stamp- often quite obvious, and watermarking fluid is usually not needed.

There is also a watermark- here a wavy line is seen above the pencil mark.

Wmk 168 "Cyrillic EZGB & Wavy Lines"

The watermark is wmk 168 "Cyrillic EZGB & wavy Lines". Here the wmk is brought out by using watermark fluid.

The watermark is present in the issues produced from 1866-1906. It is usually not critical that the wmk be found for these issues for identification purposes.

1875 Scott 30 20k blue & orange

Horizontally Laid Paper

Between 1875-82, another issue of five stamps was produced using horizontally laid paper. Note the lack of thunderbolts across the post horns.

Horizontally Laid Paper

Flipping the 20k blue & orange stamp over, note the easily determined horizontally laid paper.

1883 Scott 34 5k red violet

"Imperial Eagle and Post Horns"

Horizontally Laid Paper

A new issue of eight stamps using two newer designs was released between 1883-88.

One significant change was, prior to 1882, the 1k, 2k, 3k, & 5k had small numerals in the background (look at the 1k & 3k examples shown earlier for this post), while this issue for these denominations have a background of network, like the higher denominations.

Note the issue has horizontally laid paper, and no thunderbolts across the post horns.

1889 Scott 41 4k rose & Scott 42 10k dark blue

"Imperial Eagle and Post Horns with Thunderbolts"

Horizontally Laid Paper

In 1889, a new five stamp issue was produced- with thunderbolts across the post horns.

With Thunderbolts across Posthorns

Here it is- easy, No? The 1889-1812 issues all show the thunderbolts across the post horn motif.

1889 Scott 47 2k green

With Thunderbolts across Posthorns

Horizontally Laid Paper

Between 1889-92, a nine stamp issue with thunderbolts across the post horns and horizontally laid paper was produced. The definitive factor here is the horizontally laid paper.

1902 Scott 56 2k yellow green

Vertically Laid Paper

In 1902-06, a thirteen stamp issue was released, but on vertically laid paper.

An important way to tell the difference with the preceding 1889-92 issue is... the vertically laid paper!

This also marks the end of the use of the wmk 168 "Cyrillic EZGB & wavy Lines".

1909-12 Scott 80 14k dark blue & carmine

Vertical Lozenges of Varnish on Face

Wove paper, Unwatermarked

Then, a 1909-12 fifteen stamps issue was produced with two new designs included. But eight stamps used preceding designs, one of which is illustrated here. How to tell the difference?

This issue is on wove paper, and is unwatermarked!

Also, the stamp is shiny, as vertical lozenges of varnish were used on the face.

Finally, a 1917 seventeen stamp issue was produced by the provisional government during the civil war using types of the 1889-1912 issues. These stamps have wove paper, and are imperforate.

Russia 1909-12 Scott 79 10k dark blue

Finland 1911 Scott 80 20p deep blue

Be aware that there are many similarities between Russian and Finnish stamps of the era. The Finnish stamps have "dot in circle" devices, or are inscribed "Markka", Markkaa", "Pen", or "Pennia".

Finland 1911 Scott 80 20p deep blue

Actually, the Finnish 1911 20p deep blue from the preceding scan is not a great print example. Here is a better one.

For more on the differences between Russian and Finnish stamps of the era, see my Finland 1856-1917 blog post.

1913 Scott 92 7k brown "Nicholas II"

A nice 17 stamp typographic issue with all different designs was released in 1913. The issue features the tsars back to Peter I. The ill-fated and last Tsar Nicholas II is shown here on the 7k brown.

1915 Scott 107 20k olive green ""Alexander I"

Thin Cardboard, without Gum

Between 1915-1917, some of the stamp images from the 1913 issue were put on thin cardboard, and used as paper money! They are listed in the stamp catalogues, because they were sometimes used for postal purposes.

The October, 1915 three stamp"money" issue has "Arms" and a five line inscription on back which reads "Having circulation on par with silver subsidiary coins"

1917 Scott 113 2 on 2k yellow green "Alexander II"

Types of 1913 issue

Thin Cardboard, without Gum

The 1916-17 five stamp "money" issue is found with and without surcharge.

The back has "Arms", value, and a four line inscription.

1917 Scott 141 3k rose red "Alexander III"

Thin Cardboard, without Gum

The 1917 three stamp "money" issue also is found with and without surcharge.

The back has value, and a four line inscription below a horizontal bar.

1923 Scott 253 4k deep rose ""Worker", Lithographed

1924-25 Scott 279 4k deep rose, Typographed

Moving ahead to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics era, there are several issues that have similar stamps printed lithographically or through typography, and can be confusing for the collector.

Specifically, the 1923 10 stamp imperforate and the 1924 4 stamp perforate issues were printed with lithography. Then the 1924-25 4 stamp imperforate and the 1924-25 18 stamp perforate issues were printed using typography.

But there are small differences between the issues, which can be used for identification purposes.

1923 Scott 253 Litho+ 1924-25 Scott 270 Typo- Right Ear

Note, for the A58 "worker" design, the two white lines forming the outline of the ear are continued across the face with the lithographic stamp.

1923 Scott 256 10k dark blue "Soldier", Lithographed

1924-25 Scott 275 10k dark blue, Typographed

The A59 "soldier" design is likewise found lithographed and typographed.

The typographed stamp has a white spot between the cap and the visor.

1923 Scott 256 Litho & 1924-25 Scott 275 Typo- Right Shoulder

And the white line on top of the right shoulder touches the frame on the left for the lithographic specimen, but not for the typographic example.

1924-25 Scott 282 7k chocolate "Soldier"; Perf 14 1/2 X 15, Unwmk

1925-27 Scott 310 7k chocolate; Perf 12, Wmk 170

The typographic issue comes in several flavors, based on perforation and watermark.

The 1924-25 issue is unwatermarked, and has perf 14 1/2 X 15 for major numbers, and perforation 12 for minor numbers. Then there was a 19 stamp issue in 1925-27 which has perf 12, and is watermarked 170 "Greek Border and Rosettes".

Wmk 170 "Greek Border and Rosettes"

Here is a look at the "Greek Border and Rosettes" watermark, which usually is quite obvious.

Russia Army of the North "Coat of Arms", Imperforate Issue

1919 Scott 1 5k violet brown : Genuine vs Forgery

The Army of the North stamps have OKCA inscriptions, which means "Special Corps, Army of the North".

There are plenty of forgeries in collections, and Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries-2000) has five pages devoted to this issue.

Note for the 5k violet brown...
Genuine: Double (clear) circles around the "5" numerals.
Forgery: Solid thick circles around the "5" numerals.

1919 map by Petrograd (St. Petersburg)

Note "Army of the North" and N.W. Army

The "Army of the North" was a white army (as was the N.W. Army which it later merged with), and fought in the St. Petersburg area under the command of General Aleksandr Rodzianko. Both armies were mainly composed of Estonians.

The campaign was unsuccessful, but five stamps were issued from September-December, 1919,

Russia Army of the North

1919 Scott 3 15k yellow: Genuine vs Forgery

The 15k yellow...
Genuine: The lower part of "C" and "A" are touching; The octagon around OKCA is wide and short.
Forgery: The lower part of "C" and "A" do not touch; The octagon around OKCA is symmetrical.

Russia Army of the North

1919 Scott 5 50k green: Genuine vs Forgery

The 50k stamp exists only on pelure paper.

50k green...

Genuine: The small ornaments midway along the inner framelines on each side are circular with a dot in the center; there are small open circles on either side of OKCA.

Forgery: The small ornaments midway along the inner framelines on each side are solid circles; there are small solid circles on either side of OKCA.

Deep Blue

1902-05 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 106 pages for Russia, and has spaces for essentially all of the Scott major numbers. The Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue includes the 1918-22 Postal-Fiscal stamps (25 stamps), but they are not included in the Steiner. I elected not to include this category in my catalogue count.

1918 Scott 149 35k blue "Severing the Bond"

Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on 25 pages, has 617 spaces for regular, semi-postal, postage due, special delivery, air post, Army of the North, offices in China, and offices in the Turkish Empire categories.

Coverage is 43.6%.

There are 31 stamps with CV $10-$30+ required, but none cross the "Most Expensive" category ($35).

Of the 31 spaces, 28 are either 1930s era commemoratives or air post stamps.

Checklist: There are choices to be made in BB for spaces between horizontal laid/vertical laid/woven paper, perf /imperf, and Litho/Typo printings. See the comments section or the Scott catalogue for details.

Checklist

1865-71 (Actually to 1875)

12 or 19, 26, 13 or 20, 14 or 22, 15 or 23,

1875-79

27,28,29,30,

1883

31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,

1889-1905* (Actually to 1909)

46 or 55,47 or 56,48 or 57,41 or 57C,49 or 58,50 or 59,42 or 60,

51 or 61 or 80,62 or 81,43 or 63 or 82,64 or 83,65 or 84,44 or 66 or 85,67 or 86,

45 or 68 or 87,53 or 69,54 or 70,71,72,

1909-12

73,74,75,76,77,78,79,

1913

88,89,90,91,92,93,

94,95,96,97,98,99,

1916

110,111,

1917

117,118,

1918

149,150,

1917-18 (Imperf)

119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,

127,128,129,130,131,132,133,

1917-19

134,135,112,113,139,140,

1919* (Army of the North)

1,2,3,4,5,

1921

177,178,

1921*

179,181,182,183,184,185,

186,187,188,189,190,

1922

206, (203),211,212,213,

1922-23*

230 or 234,231 or 235,232 or 236,233 or 237,

1923

238,239,240,(241),

1923* (-1927)

250 or 276 or 304,251 or 277 or 305,252 or 273 or 278 or 306,253 or 261 or 274 or 279 or 307,

254 or 280 or 308,255 or 281 or 309,256 or 262 or 275 or 285 or 313, 257 or 288 or 317,

242,243,245,244,

1924*

265 or 269,266 or 270,267 or 271,268 or 272,

1925*

294 or 298,295 or 299,

1925*

326,327,328,329,

330 or 333,331 or 334,332 or 335,336 or 339,338 or 341,337 or 340,

1927

376,377,379,380,

1927

375,378,373 or 374,

1926

342,347,348,

1927-28

382,383,385,386,388,389,391,

1927-28

393,395,396,

1929

411,412,

1928

402,403,404,405,

1929-31*

413 or 456,414 or 457,

415 or 458,416 or 459,417 or 460,418,419 or 462,420,422,

423,424,425,426,

1929-30

427,428,429,430,

1932

470,

1930

431,432,433,434,

435,436 or 469,438 or 452,439 or 453,440 or 454,

1932-33

472,473,474,475,476,

480,481,482,485,

514,515,516,477,

1933

489,491,492,495,490,

493,494,499,496,497,

498,507,508,509,

500,501,502,

504,505,506,

503,518,519,520,521,

1933

522,523,

1934

524,525,

1934

526,527,528,529,

530,531,532,536,539,

537,538,544,545,

540,541,542,543,551,552,

553,554,

1934

546,547,548,549,550,

559,560,

561,

562,563,

1935

564,565,

566,

567,568,

569,570,571,572,

1935

573,574,575,576,577,578,

579,580,581,582,

1936-37

583,584,585,586,

587,588,589,

1937

590,591,592,593,594,595,

1937-38

597,598,599,

600,601,602,

603,604,

606,607,608,609,610,612,

625,626,627,628,611,613,

629,630,631,632,633,

1938

634,640,641,642,635,

636,637,638,639,

659,661,662,663,

664,660,665,

643,645,646,644,

1938

647,648,649,650,651,652,

653,654,655,656,657,

658,678,679,

683,680,681,682,686,

684,685,687,688,689,

690,691,692,

1938-39

666,667,668,

669,671,673,675,

670,672,674,

676,677,693,694,

695,697,696,714,715,

1938-39

698,699,700,701,702,703,

704,705,706,707,

708,709,710,

711,712,724,728,

725,726,727,

1939-40

729,730,731,732,733,

718,719,720,721,722,723,

745,746,747,748,757,758,

759,760,761,762,763,764,

765,766,734,735,713,736,738,

1939-40

749,750,751,752,

753,754,755,756,

767,768,769,770,

771,772,773,774,

775,776,777,778,

779,789,790,791,792,793,

1940

780,781,782,783,

794,795,796,797,

798,799,800,801,802,

803,804,805,806,807,

808,809,810,784,786,

1940

785,787,788,

811,812,813,816,

814,815,

Semi-Postal

1914

B5 or B9,B6 or B10,B7 or B11,B8 or B12,

B14,B15,

1922

B34,B35,B36,B37,

1926-27

B48 or B50,B49 or B51,

1928

B54 or B55,B56 or B57,

Postage Due*

J11 or J18,J12 or J19,J13 or J20,J14 or J21,J15 or J22,J16 or J23,

Special Delivery

1922

E1,E2,E3,

Air Post

1931

C2,C4 or C7,C8,C5 or C9,

1927

C10,C11,

1930

C12,C13,

1931

C15 or C20,C16 or C21 or C25,C17 or C22,C18 or C23,

Air Post

1931

C26 or C30,C27 or C31,(C28),

1933-34

C40 or C45,C41 or C46,C42 or C47,C43 or C48,

C44 or C49,C50,C51,C52,

C37,C38,C39,C56,

C53,C54,C55,

Air Post

1934-35

C57,C58,C59,

C60,C61,C62,C63,

C69,C70,C71,

C72,C73,

C74,C75,

Offices in China

1899

1,2,3,4,5,6,

1904-08

1910-16*

24 or 25,26 or 27,28 or 29,30 or 31,32,33,34 or 35,36,

50,51,52,53,54,55,56,(57),

Offices in the Turkish Empire

1868-72*

8 or 12,10 or 14,11 or 15b,

1884

23,24,25,26,

1900-03

27 or 28,29 or 31,32,30 or 33,

1909

40,41,42,43,

1910

200,201,202,203,204,

1912

208,209,210,

1913

213,214,215,216,217,218,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1875 Scott 30 20k blue & orange ($10+)

1906 Scott 72 10r carmine rose, yellow, and gray ($10+)

1933 Scott 477 30k dark gray ($30+)

1933 Scott 523 40k carmine ($10)

1934 Scott 525 10k slate blue ($10)

1934 Scott 531 10k ultramarine ($10+)

1934 Scott 532 15k red ($20+)

1934 Scott 545 30k brown orange & carmine ($10+)

1935 Scott 553 15k rose carmine ($30)

1935 Scott 554 20k emerald ($10+)

1934 Scott 548 15k green ($10+)

1934 Scott 550 35k carmine ($20+)

1935 Scott 565 15k black & black brown ($10+)

1935 Scott 567 35k ultramarine & black brown ($10)

1935 Scott 572 35k black brown ($10+)

1935 Scott 582 40k black brown ($10)

1938 Scott 697 80k deep blue ($10)

1932 Special Delivery Scott E3 80k dull green ($10+)

1927 Scott C10 10k dark blue & yellow brown ($10)

1927 Scott C11 15k deep red & olive green ($10+)

1930 Scott C12 40k dark blue ($10+)

1930 Scott C13 80k carmine ($10+)

1931 Scott C26 30k dark violet ($20)

1931 Scott C27 35k dark green ($20)

1931 (Scott C28) 1r gray black ($20+)

1933 Scott C37 5k ultramarine ($10)

1933 Scott C38 10k carmine ($10)

1933 Scott C39 20k violet ($10)

1934 Scott C56 20k black ($10+)

1934 Scott C55 15k brown ($10)

1934 Scott C57 30k ultramarine ($10+)

B) *1899-1905- choices are horizontal vs vertical laid paper vs (a few cases) wove paper. In some instances, I admit somewhat different colors than what is specified in BB because they still fall under the date criteria.

C) *1919 (Army of the North) category is in the middle of the regular section. There are plenty of counterfeits.

D) *1921- Scott 180 20r blue (>$1) is not given a space.

E) *1922-23 - Imperf vs Perf choices

F) *1923 - choices are Litho vs Typo (Perf 14 1/2 X 15) (Unwmk) vs Typo (Perf 12) (Wmk 170)

G) *1924 Imperf vs perf choices

H) *1925 stamps have some Imperf vs Perf choices.

I) *1929-31- Choices are Perf vs Imperf: all are wmk 70 except for Scott 420. Note the 1937-52 Types (Unwmk) are not given a space.

J) *Postage Due- choices are unwatermarked vs wmk 170.

K) Offices in China *1910-16- choices are blue or black overprint

L) Offices in the Turkish Empire *1868-72- choices are perf 11 1/2 vs perf 14 1/2 X 15.

M) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1927 Scott 393 18k olive green "Lenin"

Out of the Blue
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to the classical era stamps of Russia. There is, of course, much more that could be said and learned about the philatelic output.

Note: The Russian Empire and USSR maps, and pic of Tsar Nicholas II, appear to be in the public domain. The "Army of the North" map is courtesy of Bee See (Brian) of Stamp Community Forum fame, and is used with his permission. Thanks Brian!

I like comments!

↧

Samoa 1877-1899 and the Express Reprint/Forgeries

August 16, 2015, 8:26 pm

≫ Next: Samoa 1900-1952

≪ Previous: Russia

1895 Scott 14b 2 1/2p rose "King Malietoa Laupepa"

Quick History
The Samoan archipelago is in the South Pacific Ocean, and is one of the centers of Polynesian culture, along with Hawaii and the Cook Islands.

Polynesian culture includes the Samoan Islands

The Samoan language is a specific dialect of Polynesian, and is understood and spoken today by about 470,000 people, about one half of whom still reside on the islands.

Before the advent of European influence on the the Samoan archipelago, the history of Samoa was linked with the Fiji and Tonga kingdoms.

1934 Map showing the central position of Samoa in the Pacific

But Samoa was too central of a location (known during the 19th century by mariners as the "Navigator Islands") to be ignored for long, and soon there was English, American, and German influences.

The Americans used the harbor of Pago Pago as a coaling station on Tutuila in 1877, and formed relationships with the local chieftains.

Apparently, there were only 130 Europeans residing in Samoa in 1877, mostly in Apia. Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Samoa "Express" stamps were also issued in 1877.

1896 Map of Samoa

The British had missionaries since 1830 from the Congregationalist London Missionary Society on the island of Savai'i.

Robert Lewis Stevenson lived in Vailima (near Apia, Upolu) from 1889 to his death in 1894. He participated actively in Samoan politics, and wrote A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa, a non-fiction account of the Samoan Civil War among warring Samoan factions, aided and abetted by the three colonial powers interested in Samoa.

The third colonial presence, and a large one, was Germany. German firms formed large copra and cocoa bean processing operations on the island of 'Upolu.

Malietoa Laupepa

Malietoa Laupepa (1841-1898), who appears on a stamp issued in 1892 ( The stamp is the first one shown for the post), was a devout Christian by upbringing from 'Upolu. He was crowned King of Samoa by the German Empire, and the British and American consuls in 1881.

"Malietoa" is a title given to Samoan Chiefs, and literally means "great warrior". It is from an epic heroic tale when Tongan warriors said, as they rushed to their boats, "Malle To'a Malle tau".."brave warrior, brave fight".

As one can imagine, trying to maintain native influence vis-a-vis the three great colonial powers with their own agendas was difficult indeed for Malietoa Laupepa.

Samoan males, traditionally and when they are ready, will receive the pe'a ritual tattoo. Laupepa underwent the painful pe'a process in his forties.

Samoan male with pe'a tattoo, 1890s

The tattoo (tatau is a Polynesian word) covers the body from waist to knees. using bone, tusks, turtle shell, and wood as tattoo implements.

German, British, and American warships in Apia Harbor, 1899

Meanwhile, the colonial powers were sending combat troops in support of warring Samoan factions. This culminated in Britain and the U.S. using warships to shell Apia on Upolu island in March, 1899.

But a treaty was signed among the three colonial powers (Tripartite Convention of 1899) that divided the archipelago into German Samoa ( Savai'i, Upolu), and an American territory (Tutuila, Manua). (These divisions would eventually lead to Western Samoa (now Samoa), and American Samoa respectively).

Britain, as compensation for giving up "rights" to Samoa, obtained the Tonga group from Germany, and an advantageous change in the boundary between the German and British Solomon islands. Germany gave up any rights in Zanzibar.

The Samoan Chiefs and natives had little to say about it.

To be continued with the next post.....

"Scott 6" 1sh orange yellow Express Reprint

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Samoa 1877-1952, 173 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 50 are CV <$1-$1+, or 29%. Most of the more inexpensive stamps are after 1900, while the 1877-1900 stamps are rather expensive for WW classical collectors.

Samoa is a complicated philatelic country with Kingdom issues (1877-1900), Provisional Government (1899), German Dominion issues (1900-1915), British Dominion issues (1914), New Zealand overprinted issues (1914-1935), and Western Samoa issues (1935-1952).

The Kingdom of Samoa (1877-1900) and Provisional Government issues (1899) will be covered with this blog post. The rest will be reviewed in the next post.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound
100 Pfennig = 1 Mark (1900)

"Scott 1" 1p blue Express Reprint

Many classical WW collectors will have 1877-1882 Samoa Express Service stamps in their collection. A look at the catalogue, and the heart leaps, because most are valued in the hundreds!

But reality for collectors is the stamps are either mostly reprints or forgeries. But, how to tell? I hope, after reading this presentation, that one is a little wiser.

I should say at the outset that I relied heavily on the www.filitelia.fi website and their Samoa Express Forgeries discussion and illustration. And, a Samoa Express Reprint/Forgery thread on www.stampboards.com was also very helpful.

So, before we get into that discussion, how did the Samoa Express Service stamps come about?

C.L. Griffiths, who had published the Fiji Times Express, needed a postal service for Samoa to distribute his new newspaper "Samoa Times".

The lithographic Express stamps were printed in Sydney, Australia by S.T. Leigh & Co., and the stamps were issued October 1, 1877 in time for the October 6th first printing and edition of the newspaper.

The Samoa Express service was discontinued late in 1881.

Those are the basic facts.

Now, it turns out that there are four "Types" of Samoa Express issues and stamps recognized.

Let's take a closer look......

Samoa Express Type I-IV

My 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has this illustration, and I am showing it here for educational purposes.

Note: Sources give slightly different perf measurements.

Type I: 1877- Perf 12 1/2 - 1p, 3p, 6p, -Line above "X" is unbroken, Upper right serif of "M" is horizontal. Printed in sheets of 20 (5X4), so only six stamps would be perforated all around, the other fourteen stamps would have at least one straight edge. Stamps were pen cancelled from October 1877 to March, 1878. Type I is rare.

Type II: 1878-79- Perf 12 1/2- 1p.3p,6p,1sh,2sh,5sh, - Line above "X" is broken. Small dot near upper right serif of "M". Printed in sheets of 10 (5X2), so all stamps have at least one straight edge. Type II is rare.

Type III: - 1p,3p,6p,2sh,5sh- 1879- Perf 12 1/4; 1879-82- Perf 11 3/4:Note: Perfs are usually "rough"- Line above "X" roughly retouched. Upper right serif of "M" bends down, and joined to dot. Printed in sheets of 10 (5X2), except the 1p, which was printed in sheets of 20 (5X4). All non 1p stamps will have at least one straight edge, and the 1p stamp will only have 6/20 (statistical probability) with perforations all around. Type III is more common than Type I or II, but still outnumbered considerably by reprints.

Type IV: 1880-82 ,-Perf 11 3/4- 2p, 9p (2p never placed in use). Speck or dot of color on curved line below center of "M". The Type IV originals, compared to the Type IV reprints, are distinguished by color for the 2p, and "rough perf 12" for the 9p.

For the purposes of this discussion, I am assuming that a "dot" seen below the center of the "M" in Express stamps indicates "Reprint"- because that is a likely assumption. But, if you believe you might have an original Type IV 2p or 9p, then seek expert opinion. (There were also Type IV "remainders" (perf 11 3/4) from 1881 that were purchased by a stamp dealer after the discontinuation of the Samoa Express service, and distributed to the market. The colors are somewhat different between "remainders" and "reprints" See Samoa Express Forgeries website for specifics.)

Reprints are also Type IV! Reprints are almost always perforated on all sides ("uncommon" to "doesn't occur" for the originals).

Reprints tend to have whiter paper, and the perforations are 11 3/4 and 12 1/4.

The reprints were made by the original Sydney printers, but the sheet size was larger (40: 8X5). An estimated 50,000 sets (1884) and 100,000 sets (1892) were produced. Reprints far outnumber originals.

Let's look at a reprint more closely.

"Scott 1" 1p blue Express Reprint

This specimen (which was shown earlier) has perforations all around- making it already statistically suspect. For Type III, only the 1p may show perfs all around; the other denominations will always have a straight edge. Let's take a closer look....

Samoa Express 1p blue Express Reprint

"M" Close-up

Note clearly the dot on the curved line below the center of the "M"? Reprint! Note also the upper right serif of "M" bends down.

Samoa Express 1p blue Express Reprint

"X" Close-up

Note the line above "X" is roughly retouched- seen with Type III and Type IV and "IV" reprints. We have already determined that this stamp is a reprint.

"Scott 6" 1sh orange yellow Express Reprint

The dot of color below the center of the "M" in a reprint is sometimes fairly subtle- one has to keep a high index of suspicion. Not uncommonly, when I come across a collection of Express stamps that have been scanned by their owner and put up for viewing, I can spot the subtle "dot" that indicates "reprint". ;-)

Well, what about forgeries?

APEX Certificate: Fournier Express Forgery

"1879-92 Scott 8a 5sh yellow green"

A stamp buddy of mine submitted this 5sh yellow green in anticipation it was a Scott 8a with CV $725. When he received the bad news, he gave the specimen to me, as he was aware I was interested in forgeries. I told him he could have saved some money if he had showed it to me first. ;-)

5sh yellow green Express Fournier Forgery

The first thing one will note is there are perforations on all sides. That condition doesn't exist for 5sh originals, because they will have at least one straight edge. The perforation is 11 1/4.

But this stamp looks different than the reprints, what is going on? Forgery?

Samoa Express 5sh yellow green Fournier Forgery

"M" Close-up

There is no dot of color under the center of the "M", so this is not a reprint. The right leg of the "M" is rather thick, and the pearl dots between the curved lines seem larger also.

Samoa Express 5sh yellow green Fournier Forgery

"X" Close-up

Note the line above "X" is "roughly retouched", as if it is a Type III, but the horizontal lines along either side of the "X" are rough and thick.

The clincher is the colored pearl dot below the white line on which the "X" rests is not complete or surrounded by white! This is the necessary and sufficient sign that the stamp is a Fournier counterfeit.

Of interest, there can be found two subtypes of the Fournier forgery, consisting of either large or small letters in the value tablet (My example is the large letter subtype).

The Samoa Express Forgery website calls the Fournier forgery "Forgery 1". (It seems sites/experts for Express stamps use different numerals for forgery types, so one needs to specify which site/expert one is using for nomenclature.)

Francois Fournier 1846-1917

Geneva, Switzerland

I've touched on Fournier before, because his forgeries can be found for many countries during the classical stamp era.

From my Brazil 1889 Postage Due post....

"He saw himself as a champion of the "little man"- who could then own a beautiful and rare stamp at a fraction of the price of a genuine specimen. He rejected the pejorative "forger": rather, he was quite proud of his "art objects". His 1914 price catalogue listed 3,671 forgeries (not all produced by himself).

After he died, the Geneva Museum of History acquired his stock (thereby preventing some 800 pounds of forgeries from entering the philatelic marketplace). Representative examples were mounted in 480 special albums, and sold to interested parties for $25 apiece in 1928.

These Fournier albums are still floating around the philatelic landscape, and one can do an internet search and see visual examples of his forgery work."

So how can one quickly tell that an Express stamp is a Fournier forgery?

Glance at the first colored pearl dot below the white line on which the "X" rests, and if it is not complete or not surrounded by white, you have the determination!

"Neudruck" stamp on back of 5sh Fournier Forgery

Was there any other sign that the 5sh yellow green might be a forgery?

Turning the stamp over.....

This is not an "expert" or "dealer" mark. "Neudruck" in German means "Reprint", or, in this case, "Forgery". ;-)

Samoa Express 3p vermilion "Clubfoot" Forgery

Another common counterfeit is the so-called "Clubfoot" forgery. The effort is thought to be a product of another forger who have met before, Nino Imperato of Genoa, Italy, who was active in the 1920s.
(Another Specialist stated this was a Spiro forgery, so I guess it is not settled.)

The perforations are 11 1/2.

Samoa Express 3p vermilion "Clubfoot" Forgery

"M" Close-up

It is called the "Clubfoot" forgery because of the inward bending leg of the "M"(the leg next to the "O"), and the shape of the "foot". But, more importantly, the dot pearls are wide and evenly distributed. The originals and reprints have two dot pearls directly below the "M". Diagnostic!

Check the pearls on a suspect stamp, and if widely and evenly spaced, think "Clubfoot" forgery.

The Samoa Express Forgery website calls the "Clubfoot""Forgery 2".

Samoa Express 1p blue "Taylor" Forgery

Now, I have a special treat for you, an illustrated forgery that even the Samoa Express Forgeries website doesn't show (They call it "Forgery 4"). It is only found with the 1p "blue" denomination, and is thought to be the work of S. Allan Taylor of Montreal/Boston. There are only ~ 8 copies that are known.

It is actually a rather good forgery, except that it shows a large curlicue on top of the "S". ;-)

Special thanks to Mikeg of Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada (stampboards forum) for permission to use his stamp and scan of the Taylor forgery.

Wmk 62 "N Z and Star (Wide apart)" Type 3 (7 mm spacing)

The next issue, the "palms" issue (45 major and bolded minor numbers), is known with three forms of watermark 62: Wide N Z and wide star, 6mm apart (1886-87); Wide N Z and narrow star, 4mm apart (1890); and Narrow N Z and narrow star, 7mm apart (1890-1900). My collection only has the 7mm apart wmk.

The issues also come in perf 12 1/2, 12 X 11 1/2, and 11. To do an adequate investigation with this issue, one will need to do watermarking and perf guage evaluation.

1895 Scott 11e 1p green "Palms"

Perf 11; Type 3 wmk 62 (7 mm spacing)

The "Palms" design was first produced in 1886, and was printed by the New Zealand Government Printer for John Davis, a photographer from Apia. He supposedly was appointed by King Malietoa, and was supported by the Americans and the British.. It was also under his watch that the Express stamps were issued. His post office was never recognized by the UPU, so some consider these "Kingdom" issues to be "local". His postal service ceased when the German Imperial Government Post Office opened on March 1,1900.

1898-1900 Scott 26 2 1/2p on 1sh rose

Black Handstamped Surcharge

In 1895 and 1898-1900 seven stamps from the "palm" issues were surcharged. Some were handstamped like this example.

1898-1900 Scott 29 2 1/2p on 1sh rose carmine

Red Typographed Surcharge

Others were given typographed surcharges.

1898-1900 Scott 30 3p on 2p red orange, green surcharge

1895 Scott 25b 3p on 2p orange yellow, black surcharge

It sometimes pays to review one's collection. I noticed this time the overprints were different, and I suspected an overprint forgery. But closer review showed the green surcharge stamp was actually an 1898-1900 Scott 30, rather than the Scott 25 3p on 2p orange, where it was placed. Another space filled!

1899 Scott 36 6p maroon, blue overprint

The last "Kingdom" eight stamp issue was an overprint announcing a change in government, a result of the Tripartite Convention of 1899. The CV is much less expensive for unused ($2).

In 1900, the islands were partitioned between the U.S. and Germany.

And we will continue this historical and philatelic story with the next post.

Deep Blue

1895-1899 Issue in Deep Blue; Perf 11

Deep Blue (Steiner) has three pages for the 1877-1900 Issues of Samoa. Included are spaces for the three perforation varieties for the "Palms" issue: 1886-92 Perf 12 1/2 ; 1887-92 Perf 12 X 11 1/2; 1895-99 Perf 11.

1904 Scott 23 5p vermilion "Flag Design"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 70 spaces. Of those, 23 are for the 1887-1899 Kingdom issues. Fortunately, there are no spaces for the Samoa Express stamps. ;-) There are 10 spaces for the 1900-15 German Dominion issues. Then there are 37 spaces for the British (New Zealand) Dominion and Western Samoa issues.

Coverage is 40%.

There is only one stamp @ $10 required for the spaces. The 1877-1900 "Palm" issues have many expensive stamps, depending on perforation and wmk 162 types. But I found minor numbers that are less than $10.

Checklist

1887 (-1900)

9,11,13,16,17,18,

1892

14,

1894

23,

1895

24,25,

1896

15,

1898-1900

26,28,29,(27),

1899

10,12,

1899

31,32,33,34,36,37,

Issued under German Dominion

1900-15

57 or 70,58 or 71,59 or 72,60,61,62,63,

64,65,66,

Issued under British Dominion

1914

114,115,116,117,

1916-19

127,128,129,130,132,131,(134),

1920

136,137,138,139,

1921

142,143,144,145,146,147,148,

1921

149,(150),(151),

1940

185,

1935-40

166,169,

167,168,170,171,172,

181,182,183,184,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1894 Scott 23 3p vermilion $10)

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1899 Scott 32 1p red brown

Stamps of 1866-99 Overprinted in Red or Blue

Out of the Blue
If this blog post has increased your interest in Samoan stamps, you might be like to check out the website of the Fellowship of Samoa Specialists.

Note: Maps and Malietoa Laupepa, Samoan male with tattoo, Apia Harbor 1899, Samoan Archipelago pics all appear to be in the public domain.

Special thanks to Mikeg of Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada (stampboards forum) for permission to use his scan of the "Express" 1p blue S. Allan Taylor of Montreal/Boston forgery.

Have a comment?

Samoan Archipelago

↧

Samoa 1900-1952

August 22, 2015, 2:43 pm

≫ Next: San Marino

≪ Previous: Samoa 1877-1899 and the Express Reprint/Forgeries

Western Samoa 1939 Scott 182 "Map of Western Samoa"

Quick History
The Tripartite Convention of 1899 divided the Samoan archipelago into two parts: the eastern group (Tutuila with the important harbor of Pago Pago, and Manu'a) became a U.S. protectorate and territory, while the larger land mass western group ( Upolu with Apia Harbor, Savai'i) became German Samoa.

Samoa Islands

Britain vacated her claims on the islands, but was given compensation, as Germany ceded any rights to Tonga, among other concessions.

The Samoan Chiefs and natives had little to say about this.

The coaling station at Pago Pago was converted into a U.S. Naval Station.

In 1911, the U.S. territory was officially renamed American Samoa.

American Samoa has never had their own stamp issues, as U.S. stamps were used from the beginning.

During the 1918 flu pandemic, the Governor of American Samoa, John Poyer, had quarantine ships surround the territory. Hence, American Samoa had no pandemic deaths.

In contrast, the occupied (by New Zealand) "Western" Samoa had 8,000 Samoan deaths, over 20% of the population. This was the worst of any Pacific island group. The cause was a New Zealand trading ship Talune, which docked in Apia in 1918 carrying people infected with the flu.

Margaret Mead

American Samoa is also known as the seminal workplace of Margaret Mead, who helped develop the science of Anthropology through her fieldwork methods.

Coming of Age in Samoa, published in 1928

Her "Coming of Age in Samoa" became the mostly widely read book in Anthropology, and catapulted her to fame of the first rank.

French Oceania 1934 Scott 89 30c yellow green

"Tahitian Girl"

I had to go to a French produced stamp to find a portrait of Polynesian beauty and island languor that would be in keeping with Mead's thesis of a rich variety of adolescent experience within the native culture. ;-)

Saluafata Harbor, 10 miles east of Apia, Hellgrewe, 1908

From "Das Buch von unseren Kolonien"

German Samoa came into existence in 1900, and with typical German efficiency, roads, schools, and a hospital were developed. By 1908, German Samoa was a self supporting colony. Two thousand Chinese laborers were imported to work the plantations.

Stamps, typical for a German colony, were issued.

With the onset of WW I, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (at the request of Great Britain) invaded unopposed on August 29, 1914. Germany had no armed forces on the islands.

In 1914, German stamps were overprinted "G.R.I." for "Georgius Rex Imperator", and surcharged in pence/shilling.

New Zealand occupied the former German colony through 1920. Stamps of New Zealand were overprinted "Samoa".

New Zealand then governed the islands through a League of Nations (later United Nations) mandate until 1962.

Population of (western) Samoa was 38,000 Samoans and 1,500 Europeans in 1918.

Samoa stamps proper were issued in 1921, and in 1935 the stamps were inscribed "Western Samoa".

Western Samoa gained independence in 1962, and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970.

In 1997, the "Western Samoa" name was changed to "Samoa", which was protested by American Samoa, as it was felt it would lead to confusion, and reduced identity for American Samoa.

Falefa Valley, Upolu, (Western) Samoa

Although the culture of (Western) Samoa and American Samoa were identical initially, the influence of New Zealand and America, respectively, has widened the culture gap between the island groups. For instance, (Western) Samoa sports interest is rugby union and Samoan cricket. American Samoa is interested in American Football and the NFL. Thirty ethnic Samoans currently play in the NFL, about 40 times more representation than what one would expect, based on population.

German Samoa 1915 Scott 72 10pf carmine

"Kaiser's Yacht"; Wmk 125 "Lozenges"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Samoa 1900-1952, 23 stamps for German Samoa (1900-1915); 13 stamps for overprinted stamps of Germany "G.R.I"- "Georgius Rex Imperator" (1914) during the invasion of British Empire (New Zealand) forces; 28 stamps of New Zealand overprinted "Samoa" (1914-25); 23 more stamps during the New Zealand mandate (1921-1935); and 46 stamps during the "Western Samoa" proper era (1935-1952).

The stamps from a CV perspective are inexpensive to moderately expensive, except the "G.R.I." overprinted German Samoa stamps are expensive.

American Samoa: Pago Pago Postmark, December 13, 1966

There are no separate stamps for American Samoa, as U.S. issues were used there.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound
100 Pfennig = 1 Mark (1900)

German Samoa 1900 Scott 54 20pf ultramarine

Stamps of Germany, Overprinted

The first issue for German Samoa consisted of six stamps of Germany that were overprinted "Samoa": by presumption in time for the opening of the German Post Office in Apia on March 1, 1900.

German Samoa 1900 Scott 62 30pf orange & black/salmon

"Kaiser's Yacht"; Unwmk

A nine stamp set with the colony design was issued in 1900.

German Samoa 1900 Scott 67 2m blue

"Hohenzollern"

The mark denomination engraved stamps (four of them) were also issued in 1900. This design is right at the top for my all time favorites during the classical era.

Four more stamps of these designs were released in 1915 with watermark "Lozenges". They only exist unused in the catalogue, as they were never placed in use ( WW I occupation in 1914 of Samoa by New Zealand).

When New Zealand occupied German Samoa in August, 1914, the German colony stamps were overprinted "G.R.I."- Georgius Rex Imperator) and surcharged in pence/shillings. The CV ranges from $10+-$3,500, and I don't have any at the moment.

1914 Scott 115 1p carmine

Stamps of New Zealand Overprinted in Red or Blue

New Zealand stamps (six) were overprinted in red or blue, as shown, on September 29, 1914, and issued for occupied Samoa.

1918 Scott 130 2p yellow, Red Overprint

Between 1916-19, a nine stamp set of New Zealand George V issues were overprinted in red or blue. CV ranges from <$1-$2+.

1920 Scott 138 1 1/2p brown orange, Red Overprint

New Zealand Victory Issue of 1919, Overprinted

The New Zealand "Victory" issue of 1919 (six stamps) was overprinted on June, 1920.

1921 Scott 153 1sh vermilion

"British Flag and Samoan House"

A twelve stamp set showing a "British" flag and a Samoan house was issued on December 23, 1921. This was little more than a year (December 17, 1920) after New Zealand/United Kingdom received a Class C Mandate to administer, "as part of their territory", the former German Samoa. The territory was then named a United Nations trust territory on January 25, 1947, until independence on January 1, 1962.

The perforations for the set are 14 X 13 1/2, except the 1/2p, 1p, 1 1/2p, and 2p also exist as perf 14 X 14 1/2. I note that the Deep Blue (Steiner) pages have spaces for these minor number perforation varieties.

CV ranges from <$1-$2+.

1935 Scott 166 1/2p yellow green

"Samoan Girl and Kava Bowl"

In 1935, the nine stamp issue's inscription was changed from "Samoa" to "Western Samoa".

This is an engraved issue, and some are bi-colored- really lovely.

Samoan Women preparing to make Kava, 1890

The Kava cermony (called 'ava) is a solemn ritual and an important way to mark special occasions in Samoan culture. (Most Polynesian cultures have various ceremonial traditions on drinking Kava.)

The 'ava is made from the dried roots of the plant Piper Methysticum.

It has sedative and and anesthetic qualities.

1939 Scott 184 7p deep slate green & violet

"Robert Louis Stevenson"

Extra points if the reader was aware than Robert Lewis Stevenson spent the last years of his life in Samoa, and died and has his tomb there.!

Of course, he was author of fantasy adventure novels such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped, and who can forget Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

I read them as a child, as did most children. I wonder if they are still read?

1935 Scott 171 6p plum

"Vailima", Stevenson's Home

In 1890, he bought 400 acres in Upolu, and established his estate at "Vailima". He took a native name Tusitala ("Teller of Tales"). He became upset with how the Samoans were treated by the European officials, and he became involved with local politics.

1935 Scott 172 1sh brown & violet

"Stevenson's Tomb"

On December 3, 1894, he died of a probable cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 44.

He is buried on Mount Vaea overlooking the sea.

Under the wide and starry sky,

Dig the grave and let me lie.

Glad did I live and gladly die,

And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me:

Here he lies where he longed to be;

Home is the sailor, home from sea,

And the hunter home from the hill.

Stevenson is still beloved by Samoans.

1940 Scott 185 3p on 1 1/2p brown

"Samoan Chief"

This stamp, released September 2, 1940, was only issued with surcharge.

1952 Scott 203 1/2p orange brown & claret

"Making Siapo Cloth"

Saipo cloth- or tapa cloth- is actually made from Mulberry family bark. After the cloth is ready and dried, it is decorated with traditional designs- such as trochus shell, starfish, and rolled pandanus leaves.

1952 Scott 204 1p green & olive

"Western Samoa and New Zealand Flags, Village"

The 1952 issue, which consists of 10 stamps, all with different scenes, is, in my view, a cut above the ordinary "British colony" output of the day. We have New Zealand inspiration to thank for that. ;-)

Deep Blue

New Zealand Overprinted 1916-19 Issues in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages for German Samoa, four pages for League of Nations New Zealand mandated Samoa, and three pages for Western Samoa. All of Scott major numbers have a space.

1935 Scott 170 4p black brown & dark gray

"Samoan Canoe and House"

Big Blue

A review of BB's coverage was provided in the preceding post, Samoa 1877-1899.

1952 Scott 210 1sh blue & brown "Thatching Hut"

Out of the Blue

I've particularly enjoyed these last two Samoan posts- I learned a lot also.

Note: Map, image pics, and Margaret Mead stamp image all appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!

↧

San Marino

August 28, 2015, 1:29 pm

≫ Next: Sarawak

≪ Previous: Samoa 1900-1952

1918 Scott B10 2 l violet & black "View of San Marino"

Quick History
The Republic of San Marino, all 24 square miles of it, is located on the north-eastern side of the Apennine Mountains on the Italian Peninsula twenty miles from the Adriatic Sea, and surrounded by Italy.

San Marino and the Italian Peninsula

Saint Marinus of Arba founded a church on Monte Titano on September 3, 301, and thereby began the city and state of San Marino.

The Papacy recognized the independence of San Marino in 1631.

The independence was threatened by Napoleon's army in 1797, but Regent Antonio Onofri, through his friendship with Napoleon, was able to protect the Republic.

When Italy unified during the 19th century, Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian patriot, agreed to not incorporate San Marino into the developing Italian state.

Stamps, with the "Coat of Arms" design, were introduced in 1877.

We will meet all of these historical characters through their images on San Marino stamps.

Map of San Marino

During WW I, there was diplomatic tension with both Italy and Austria-Hungary, as San Marino attempted to stay neutral.

Between 1923 and 1943, the country was under the rule of the Sammarinese Fascist Party (PFS), closely allied with the Mussolini regime.

The population was 14,545 in 1939.

"Republic of San Marino -Neutral State" Sign

Border of San Marino during WW II

During WW II, San Marino again attempted to remain neutral. When Benito Mussolini's government collapsed in Italy, the PFS rule also fell.

Nevertheless, the Royal Air Force bombed San Marino on June 26, 1944, killing 35 people, in the belief that the Germans were stockpiling supplies there..

In September 1944, it was occupied by German forces, who were then driven out by the Allies in the Battle of San Marino.

San Marino had a democratically elected communist government between 1945 and 1957.

1910 Scott 78 1c brown, Type II

"Coat of Arms"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for San Marino 1877-1940, 345 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 96 are CV <$1-$1+, or 28%. San Marino is somewhat expensive for the WW classical era collector, as one would expect for an attractive "postage stamp" size country situated in Italy and Europe.

When I was much younger, I was fascinated with the "postage stamp" sized countries- Monaco, Liechtenstein, and, of course, San Marino. And it seemed like H.E.Harris knew this also. Glowing approval descriptions had their effect on the young child's imagination, until it became certain that "tiny" and "rare" were interlinked. And, I must admit, the psychology is still there. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centesimi = 1 Lira

1877 Scott 1 2c green "Numeral"

"Liberty" is found on many San Marino stamps, as the tiny Republic has indeed managed that. The first typographed issue had the lower three denomination stamps with a "Numeral" design (1877-1895).

1892 Scott 18 40c dark brown "Coat of Arms"

The "Coat of Arms" design is found on 21 stamps between 1877-1899. CV is $10+ for fourteen stamps, although no gum unused may be less.

Coat of Arms of San Marino

The COA features three hills --the three summits of Monte Titano. On them are three towers- the citadels La Guaita, La Cesta, and La Montale. Each has an ostrich feather design weather vane on top.

1894 Scott 29 25c blue & dark brown

"Government Palace"

For the opening of the new Government Palace, and the installation of new Regents, a three stamp bi-color lithographed issue was released in 1894.

1899 Scott 32 2c brown "Statue of Liberty"

An eight stamp "Statue of Liberty" issue was used in San Marino between 1899-1922. CV ranges from <$1-$4+.

Watermarks

Top Left: Wmk 174 "Coat of Arms"; Top Right: Wmk 217 "Three Plumes"

Bottom: Wmk 140 "Crown"

San Marino has some issues that are unwatermarked, while other discrete and different issues are watermarked. (In other words, one will not find the same stamp issue on both watermarked and unwatermarked paper.)

Here are the three watermarks that can be found for the classical era.

The "Statue of Liberty" issue shown above has the "Crown" watermark. The 1894 "Government Palace" issue, already illustrated, has the "Coat of Arms" watermark, which has a shield with a large cross in the center. Finally, the "Three Plumes" watermark can be found on issues after 1929.

Since there is no confusion, fortunately, in terms of identification for a specific issue, I will say no more about unwatermarking/watermarking.

1903 Scott 45 10c claret "Mt. Titano"

The most prolific (37 stamps), and probably most familiar issue for classical collectors, is the "Mt. Titano" typographed stamp of 1903-1925. It clearly shows the three summits- and citadels- of Mt. Titano. CV ranges from <$1-$7+ for 25 stamps. On the other extreme, the 2 lire violet is $400+. !

I should mention that, for many of the earlier issues of San Marino, the perfs often cut into the design.

1923 Scott 81 30c dark brown

"St. Marinus"

Marinus, a stonemason by training, fled to Mt. Titano to live as a hermit, and founded a monastery and chapel in 301. When he died in 366, legend says he uttered "I leave you free from both men". The cryptic phrase was interpreted as referring to the two powers of the day, the Emperor and the Pope. The "Freedom Affirmation", even if apocryphal, has been the inspiration for tiny San Marino to continue going their own way.

1924 Scott 87 1l deep blue

"San Marino Sheltering Garibaldi'

When the Italian patriot for unification, Giuseppe Garibaldi, needed help, San Marino offered shelter and refuge. For this, Garibaldi, in turn, acceded to the wishes of the inhabitants of San Marino to not be incorporated into the new Italian state.

For the 75th anniversary of Garibaldi taking refuge in San Marino, a five stamp issue was released in 1924.

1926 Scott 101 1l orange & black

"Antonio Onofri"

An engraved six stamp set was issued in 1926 in honor of the Regent Antonio Onofri, whose friendship with Napoleon maintained tiny San Marino's independence. Four stamps have CV <$1-$1+.

1927 Scott 109 1.25l blue "War Memorial"

Although San Marino was neutral during WW I, a group of San Marino volunteers did join Italian forces. A three stamp set was issued in 1927 in their memory.

1929 Scott 127 2.50l carmine rose & ultramarine

"Government Palace"

A nice engraved bi-color nineteen stamp issue was released between 1929 and 1935 with three designs.

Please click on and enlarge the 2.50 lire carmine rose & ultramarine stamp illustrated above, and just enjoy!

1932 Scott 144 20c violet "Garibaldi"

An eight stamp set was released in 1932 featuring Garibaldi (1807-1882) on two designs. The last stamp of the issue, a 5 lira olive green, is quite expensive @ $340, and also has a space in Big Blue. !

1935 Scott 167 1.25l blue & black

"Ascent to Mt. Titano"

San Marino was ruled by a fascist government between 1923 and 1943, closely allied with Mussolini's fascist regime. For the 12th year anniversary of the founding of the fascist movement, a seven stamp set was released.

1935 Scott 172 15c rose carmine

"Melchiorre Delfico"

A twelve stamp engraved bi-color issue was released in 1935 in honor of Melchiorre Delfico (1744-1835), Italian economist and historian. His published works corrected many abuses, including the abolition of feudal rights over landed property and their sale.

I'm not sure why San Marino wanted to honor him, though?

1918 Scott B13 25c ultramarine & black, Overprinted

"Statue of Liberty"

For the celebration of Italian victory over Austria, six stamps from the previous 1918 semi-postal issue were overprinted as shown. The previous 1918 semi-postals were sold at a 5 Centesimi advance over face value to support a hospital for Italian soldiers. So much for neutrality. ;-)

1923 Scott E3 60c on 25c carmine

Type of 1907 Special Delivery Issue Surcharged

The original special delivery stamp of this design was released in 1907. It was then surcharged in 1923 (illustrated above), and again in 1927.

Postage Due Stamps

1897 Scott J1 5c blue green & dark brown;

1925 Scott J19 5c blue & brown;

1939 Scott J61 5c blue & brown

San Marino's postage due stamps are rather functional, but some attention needs to be directed to distinguish the various issues based on color and script.

Postage Due Stamps of 1925 Surcharged in Black and Silver

1931 Scott 48 40c on 30c blue & brown;

1931 Scott 40 20c on 5c blue & brown (reverse)

The 1925 postage due issue was subsequently surcharged in black and silver in 1931. The problem, for me, is the surcharge is so heavily applied on many of the stamps, that it is difficult to determine the underlying value. Sometimes, turning the stamp over (reverse) will reveal the underlying value. But I am also left with a number of "unknowns' in my collection. ;-)

Deep Blue

1877-99 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 24 pages for the classic era San Marino. All of the major Scott numbers have a space.

1924 Scott 85 50c olive brown

"Giuseppe Garibaldi"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on six pages, has 146 spaces.

Coverage is 42%.

The '69 editors rearranged the first page, and compared to the 1940s editions, offers slightly better coverage. The '69 editors also offer more spaces for the 1931 air mail issue. (Overall, the 1940s editions have 140 spaces.)

As I mentioned earlier, San Marino stamps can be expensive. And the BB collector is unfortunately not immune. In BB, there are eighteen stamp spaces that are in the "expensive" category ($10+-$30).

And there would have been even more, except for a "trick" I pulled to make the 1877-99 "Numeral" and "Coat of Arms" Issue (eleven spaces) not included. Conventional CV ranges from $11- $19. But they all are also listed in the catalogue as unused "no gum" for under $10. Therefore I am not formally including them in the "expensive" category, although one may still need to pay in that range to obtain a specific stamp.

What about the "Most Expensive" ($35+) category?

Hold on to your hats, because there are nine stamps in that range.

The 1932 "General Post Office" issue (Scott 134-138) have two stamps @ $190 and $105.

The 1932 "Garibaldi" Issue has Scott 150 5l olive green @ $340!!!!!!

And the 1935 "Statue of Delfico" stamp (Scott 180) 1.75l brown orange is $100.

A list of all the "most expensive" and "expensive" stamps is provided under the Comments section following the checklist.

Checklist

1877-99*

1,2,3,6,7 or 8,9,

11,14,16,18,19,

1899-22

32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,

1903-25

40,41,42 or 43,45,48,51,53,

54,57,60,63,65,(46),

1894

29,

1905

77,

1907

78 or 78a,

1923

81,82,

1924

84,85,86,

1925

44,47,49,55,58,61,64,

1926

97,98,99,100,

1929

115,116,117,

1929

118,119,120,121,122,123,124,

1927

108,(109),

1928

111,112,

1932

139,140,141,

1932 "General Post Office"*

134,135,136,137,138,

1932 "Garibaldi" *

143,144,145,146,

147,148,149,150,

1935

161,162,163,164,

165,166,167,169,

170,171,172,173,174,175,

1935

176,177,178,

179,180,

Semi-Postal

1918

B3,B4,B5,B6,B7,B8,

1923

B18,B19,B20,B21,B22,B23,B24,

Postage Due

1897-1925

J1 or J10 or J19,J2 or J11 or J20,J24,J26,J27,(J28),

1931-40

J37,J38,J39,J40,J41,J42,

J61,J62,J63,

Parcel Post

1928

Q1,Q2,Q3,

Q4,Q5,Q6,

Special Delivery

1929

E6,E7,

Semi-Postal Special Delivery

1923

CB1,

Air Post

1931

C1,C2,C3,

C4,C7,C8,

C9,(C5),(C6),

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

* 1877-99 "Numeral" and "Coat of Arms" Issue

There are eleven spaces for the issue (Scott 1,2,3,6,7 or 8,9,

11,14,16,18,19), and conventional CV ranges from $11- $19. But they all are listed in the catalogue as unused "no gum" for under $10. Therefore I am not formally including them in the "expensive" category, although one may still need to pay in that range to obtain a specific stamp.

1903 Scott 53 25c blue ($10+)

1905 Scott 77 15c on 20c brown orange ($10+)

1928 Scott 111 50c red ($10+)

1928 Scott 112 1.25l deep blue ($10+)

1932 Scott 134 20c blue green ($20+)

1932 Scott 135 50c dark red ($20+)

1932 Scott 136 1.25l dark blue ($190) !!!!

1932 Scott 137 1.75l dark brown ($105) !

1932 Scott 138 2.75l dark violet ($60)

1932 Scott 141 1.25l dark blue ($10+)

1932 Scott 146 50c yellow brown ($10)

1932 Scott 147 75c dark red ($20+)

1932 Scott 148 1.25l dark blue ($30)

1932 Scott 149 2.75l brown orange ($60)

1932 Scott 150 5l olive green ($340) !!!!!!

1935 Scott 172 15c rose carmine ($20+)

1935 Scott 177 75c red ($10+)

1935 Scott 179 1.50l dark brown ($70)

1935 Scott 180 1.75l brown orange ($100) !

1931 Scott C1 50c blue green ($20+)

1931 Scott C2 80c red ($20+)

1931 Scott C3 1l bister brown ($10+)

1931 Scott C4 2l bright violet ($10+)

1931 Scott C8 7.70l dark brown ($10+)

1931 Scott C9 9l deep orange ($10+)

1931 Scott (C5) 2.60l prussian blue ($65)

1931 Scott (C6) 3l dark gray ($55)

B) *1932 "General Post Office"Issue (5 stamps)-very expensive! ($20+-$190)

C) *1932 "Garibaldi" Issue - Five stamps range from CV $10-$340!!!!

D) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1923 Scott B24 1l + 5c black & blue "Liberty"

Out of the Blue

I've been more interested in obtaining the classical era stamps of San Marino than, perhaps, most other countries. Could it be that child in me that still equates "tiny" and "rare"? ;-)

Note: Maps, "Coat of Arms" image, and border pic of San Marino during WW II appear to be in the public domain.

Comments always welcome!

↧

Sarawak

September 3, 2015, 2:34 pm

≫ Next: Saseno

≪ Previous: San Marino

1869 Scott 1 3c brown/yellow

"Sir James Brooke"

Quick History
Ever have a desire to be a King (Rajah) of your own Country? Perhaps the next best thing is indulge in the stamps and history of the Kingdom of Sarawak and the Brooke dynasty.

Map of Sarawak

The lands were located in northwest Borneo, west of Labuan and North Borneo (now Sabah).

As a reward for helping to put down insurrection and piracy, the Sultanate of Brunei (Raja Muda Hassim) awarded the Kingdom of Sarawak to Sir James Brooke, a British adventurer, in 1841. He became the first White Rajah of Sarawak. In addition, he presented the island of Labuan to the British government in 1846, and served as governor.

He was awarded "Knight Commander of the Order of Bath" in 1848 by the British.

Sir James Brooke (1847) by Francis Grant

His fame and notoriety grew with a naval battle victory in 1862 over the Moro Pirates, of whom more than a hundred were killed.

It is said that James Brooke served as a model for the hero in Joseph's Conrad's novel
"Lord Jim".

The United States (1850) and the United Kingdom (1863) both recognized the sovereignty of Sarawak.

The first stamp for Sarawak was issued March 1, 1869 with a portrait of Sir James Brooke, posthumously, as he died August 18, 1868.

Sarawak in now part of Malaysia

As Sir James Brooke never married, the second White Rajah in 1868 was Charles Anthoni Johnson Brooke, his nephew and sister's son.

Sir Johnson Charles Brooke appeared on all Sarawak's stamp issues between 1871-1908.

Sarawak, Brunei, and North Borneo lands as of 1890

The Kingdom of Sarawak become a British Protectorate in 1888, as did Brunei. North Borneo was already a British protectorate since 1882.

Sir Johnson Charles Brooke was also appointed the "Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George" in 1888 by the British.

With his passing in 1917, his son, Charles Vyner Brooke became the third (and last) White Rajah.

Vyner appeared on Sarawak's stamps between 1918-1947.

Vyner was granted knighthood in 1927. He tended to side with the native and Dayak indigenous tradition (although headhunting was outlawed), and Christian missionaries were banned.

The capital of Sarawak since the establishment of the country was Kushing, and the population was 490,000 in 1940.

Japan invaded and occupied Sarawak (and the island of Borneo including the Dutch East Indies portion) from 1941 to 1945, until liberated by the Australians. Vyner and his family spent the war period in Sydney, Australia.

On July 1, 1946, Vyner ceded Sarawak to the British as a crown colony, thus ending White Rajah rule.

Sarawak became independent in 1963, and formed the Federation of Malaysia with Malaya, North Borneo, and Singapore on September 16, 1963.

1892 Scott 25 1c on 3c brown/yellow

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Sarawak 1869-1950, 215 major number descriptions. Of those, 73 are CV <$1-$1+, or 34%. The earlier issues tend to be somewhat more expensive, and the 1942 Japanese Occupation stamps (26) are quite expensive.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Cents = 1 Dollar

1871 Scott 2 3c brown/yellow

"Sir Charles Johnson Brooke"

The initial two lithographed stamps (1869,1871) are both brown/yellow in color, and show Sir James Brooke and Sir Charles Johnson Brooke respectively, the first two "White Rajahs" of Sarawak. Of interest, there is apparently only one authenticated cover of each known.

The Sir James Brooke stamp is shown at the blog post header.

Note the letters in the four corners, a bit similar to the Great Britain stamps of the same era.

The top two letters, "J,B," and "C,B," no doubt refer to the initials of James Brooke and Charles Brooke respectively.

The bottom two letters, "R,S,"- Rajah (of) Sarawak.

1875 Scott 3 2c gray lilac/lilac

"Sir Charles Johnson Brooke"

A five stamp set was issued in 1875 for Sir Charles Johnson Brooke. Four of the stamps have a modest CV $4-$9.

1888 Scott 13 6c lilac & brown

"Sir Charles Johnson Brooke"

A new fourteen stamp typographed set was released between 1888-97. The stamp design may look familiar. The Malay States and Thailand have somewhat similar, but not identical, designs for the same era.

1889 Scott 22 2c on 8c green & carmine

Three stamps from the preceding issue were surcharged in black between 1889-91.

1895 Scott 28 2c red brown

"Sir Charles Johnson Brooke"

An older looking Charles Brooke is found on four engraved stamps issued in 1895.

1899 Scott 33 2c on 12c red/rose

Stamps of 1871-75 Surcharged in Black or Red

Four stamps were surcharged in 1899, as illustrated. Three stamps are CV $2-$8.

1901 Scott 36 1c blue & carmine

"Sir Charles J. Brooke"

A similar twelve stamp set to the 1888-97 issue, except in different colors, was released between 1899-1908. This issue, as well as the issues preceding, are unwatermarked.

But the 2c gray green, initially released in 1899 unwatermarked, was also issued watermarked (Wmk 71-"Rosette") in 1901. It appears to be the only stamp of Sarawak with the "Rosette" watermark, and has a higher CV ($19 vs $1). Watch for it!

This would prove to be the last general stamp issue for the second "White Rajah".

1923 Scott 56 4c purple brown

"Sir Charles Vyner Brooke"

The third "White Rajah", Charles Johnson's son, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, was enthroned in 1917. An unwatermarked twenty-one stamp typographed issue for him was released between 1918-1923.

Of interest the usual 1c slate blue & rose (CV $2+) was also printed by mistake in slate blue & slate in 1918. This stamp color combination was never released for use, but can be found in the philatelic marketplace for CV $22.

1928 Scott 79 1c slate blue & rose

"Sir Charles Vyner Brooke"

Between 1928-29, a fifteen stamp issue, similar to the 1918-23 issue, but on watermarked paper (Wmk 47 "Multiple Rosettes") was released.

Get out the watermarking tray. ;-)

Wmk 47 "Multiple Rosettes"; Wmk 231 "Oriental Crown"

Here is a pic of the "Multiple Rosettes" watermark, found with the 1928-29 issue, as well as a pic of the "Oriental Crown" watermark, found with the 1932 issue, shown below.

1932 Scott 105 25c orange brown & yellow

"Sir Charles Vyner Brooke"

An engraved fifteen stamp set, some in bi-color, was issued in 1932. Rather lovely. As just mentioned, this set is on watermarked paper ("Oriental Crown").

1934 Scott 112 3c black

"Sir Charles Vyner Brooke"

Another set of twenty-six stamps, this time unwatermarked, was issued in 1934 (20) and 1941 (6). Note the stunning oriental columns on either side of Vyner Brooke.

This would be the last issue before the Japanese occupation.

In 1945, with the return of the allies, a 20 stamp set of this issue, but overprinted "B M A", for "British Military Administration" was re-issued.

The remaining 1934-41 issue Kingdom of Sarawak stamps were used up during the Crown Colony era by overprinting a "GR & Crown" on them.

1946 Scott 157 50c red & black

"Sir James, Sir Charles V., and Sir Charles J. Brooke"

A 1946 four stamp set celebrating 100 years of "White Rajah" rule between 1841-1941 proved to be the last stamps issued before the Kingdom of Sarawak became a Crown Colony on July 1, 1946.

1950 Scott 181 2c orange red "Western Tarsier"

A very nice twenty-one stamp "George VI" issue was produced between 1950-52 during the Crown Colony era. They feature local animals or plants or native activities.

Horsfield's Tarsier in Sarawak

The "Western Tarsier" (Horsfield's Tarsier) is a nocturnal creature native to Borneo.

1950 Scott 183 4c brown

"Kayan Girl & Boy"

The Kayan ethnic group (part of Orang Ulu- "upriver people") were former headhunters who were known for their extensive tattoos and stretched earlobes. They converted to Islam. They lived in long houses on river banks, and cultivated dryland rice and sago.

1950 Scott 186 10c orange

"Scaly Anteater"

The "Scaly Anteater" (Pangolin) is nocturnal, and is found throughout tropical Asia and Africa. They are considered endangered to the point of extinction, because of trafficking in their skin, scales, and meat.

1950 Scott 191 50c purple & brown

"Iban Woman"

The Ibans are the largest part (30%) of Sarawak's population, and are mostly concentrated in Sarawak. The British called them Sea Dayaks during the colonial era, and they were known for their headhunting.

Iban Longhouse

Most were converted to Christianity. Many Ibans still live in longhouses, although today with modern conveniences.

Deep Blue

1875 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has nine pages for the 1869-1950 stamps of Sarawak. All of the major numbers issued for Sarawak have a space. The Steiner classical group bundle of pages does not include the 26 Japanese Occupation overprint stamps of 1942 (it is probably included in the general Sarawak pages group, but I didn't check). Since the Japanese Occupation stamps are quite expensive (CV $40+-$2000+), and is specialist territory, the page shouldn't be missed by most WW collectors.

1950 Scott 184 6c aquamarine "Bead Work"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one page, has 50 spaces. Total coverage is 23%. Subtracting the post 1940 issues in the 1840-1940 catalogue (93 stamps) brings the coverage up to 41%. Still, I found some 28 stamps CV $1+-$5 that could have been included.

The BB 40s editions have the same coverage.

And there is a curious omission of no coverage of the 1875 issue, three stamps of which are CV $4-$5.

There are five stamps CV $10+ that are required by BB.

Checklist

1871

1889-92

8,9,10,

1892

25,

1895

28,29,

1899

32,33,

1899-1908

36,37 or 48*,38,39a or 39*,40,

1918-22 (-29 here)*

50 or 79,51 or 52 or 80,53,54 or 81,55,57 or 83,58 or 84,

59,60 or 85,61,63,64 or 87,(68),

1931

94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,

102,103,104,105,106,

1934

109,110,112,

114,115,116,118,120,121,123,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1895 Scott 28 2c red brown ($10+)

1918 Scott 59 8c yellow & black ($10+)

1918 Scott 63 12c violet ($10+)

1932 Scott 105 25c orange brown & yellow ($10+)

1932 Scott 106 30c red orange & olive brown ($10+)

B) *1918-22 (-29 here)- Choices are unwmk vs wmk 27 "Multiple Rosettes". I expanded the date range to 1929 to admit the 1928-29 issue, and accepted slight color differences as choices.

C) *37 or 48- Be aware that the 1901 Scott 48 2c gray green has watermark 71 "Rosette", while the 1899 Scott 37 2c gray green is unwatermarked.

D) *39 or 39a- BB specifies 1899 Scott 39a 4c rose, while the current major number is Scott 39 4c aniline carmine.

1950 Scott 188 15c deep blue "Fire Making"

Out of the Blue
The stamps of Sarawak, until they joined the UPU in 1897, were not valid outside of the country, except for British North Borneo, Labuan and Singapore. From 1859, stamps of India were used for overseas correspondence, then Straits Settlements stamps after 1867. Apparently, a stock of these stamps were kept by the Sarawak post Office.

Note: Maps, Pic of James Brooke, Tarsier and Longhouse all appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

1950 Scott 193 $2 rose carmine & blue

"Map of Sarawak"

↧

Saseno

September 10, 2015, 11:53 am

≫ Next: Saxony

≪ Previous: Sarawak

1923 Scott 7 60c carmine

Italian Stamps of 1901-22 Overprinted

Quick History
Saseno (Italian) or Sazan (Albanian) is an island, 3 miles long by 1.7 miles wide, located between the lower Italian peninsula and present day Albania in the Strait of Otranto between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea.

Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea

Between is the Strait of Otranto (Canale d'Otranto)

The island was ceded to Greece with the other Ionian islands by Britain in 1864. But Greece did not formally occupy the island until 1912 with the First Balkan War.

Saseno Island and the Strait of Otantro

After the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913, Greece evacuated Saseno and the southern parts of (now modern) Albania at the insistence of Italy and Austria-Hungary.

Italy then occupied the island on October 30, 1914. This was ratified in 1915 by the Treaty of London, and Albania ceded the island to Italy on September 2, 1920.

Saseno was part of Italy from 1920 until WW II. It had several Naval fortifications on the island, a lighthouse, and a few fisherman families as inhabitants.

In 1941, the island became part of Italian Dalmatia, and then was ceded to Albania on February 10, 1947.

Saseno (Sazan)

During the Italian period (1920- WW II), stamps of Italy were used on the island. But in 1923, a group of eight definitive Italian stamps, showing the visage of King Victor Emmanuel II, were overprinted "saseno" by the Saseno post office for use locally.

1923 Scott 1 10c claret

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has, for Saseno 1923, eight major stamp descriptions. All of the stamps are CV $30 for unused. Clearly, Saseno overprinted stamps are not inexpensive. Scott has a note that the "used" CV value ($80+) are for genuinely postally used, not CTO.

A closer look at the stamps
100 Centesimi = 1 Lira

1923 Scott 2 15c slate

Italian Stamps of 1901-22 Overprinted

Only the 1923 issue of eight overprinted stamps of Italy are found in the catalogue under Saseno. Otherwise, regular stamps of Italy were used.

I get a little nervous when an overprinted stamp is worth more than the underlying non-overprinted stamp. In this case, the Scott 2 (illustrated above) is CV $30 unused, while the underlying 1919 non-overprinted Italian stamp is CV $3+.

As one can imagine, fraudulently overprinting a stamp is much easier than developing a new stamp forgery.

Now, I have no specific reason to suspect that these overprints are not genuine. They were bought from a reputable source- but that only goes so far.

Sending them in for certification would be a minimum of $25 per stamp.

And expert knowledge about overprint forgeries tends to be locked up- and not shared widely- among country specialists.

So what is a WW generalist to do- just be lambs to the slaughter?

Well, here are some strategies that can be used.....

* I know of one WW classical era collector with a very healthy collection that simply refuses to collect expensive overprinted stamps.

* If the overprinted stamps are inexpensive, of course one can accumulate them- the potential damage is minimal.

* Get the overprinted stamps certified. (Only really works economically for quite expensive stamps.)

* Try to obtain the knowledge for oneself regarding overprint forgeries. Or, ask a specialist acquaintance or internet source for help.

Deep Blue

1923 Issue in Deep Blue

Of course, Deep Blue (Steiner) has all the spaces for the 1923 Saseno issue.

Saseno in the 1940s editions Big Blue

Big Blue

Saseno was one of those smaller stamp issuing territories that was eliminated by the 1969 editors of Big Blue. Although I am not in favor of dropping stamp issuing areas, the stamps are expensive @ CV $30 apiece.

The 1940s editions have six spaces for Saseno stamps- a very generous 75% coverage.

The Saseno coverage is located (along with several other small countries) between Sarawak and Senegal.

Checklist (In 40s BBs)

1923

1,2,3,4,5,6,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1923 Scott 1 10c claret ($30)

1923 Scott 2 15c slate ($30)

1923 Scott 3 20c brown orange ($30)

1923 Scott 4 25c blue ($30)

1923 Scott 5 30c yellow brown ($30)

1923 Scott 6 50c violet ($30)

1923 Scott 6 50c violet

Out of the Blue

For a "Representative Album", Big Blue is inordinately fond of providing generous coverage of Italian sphere stamps. Unfortunately, many are also fairly expensive.

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

↧

Saxony

September 16, 2015, 12:57 pm

≫ Next: Schleswig

≪ Previous: Saseno

1851 Scott 8 3ng black/yellow

Frederick Augustus II

Quick History
The Kingdom of Saxony lasted between 1806 and 1918, although the Kingdom existed as a more slender state after 1815 (Prussia took the rest), and then joined the German Empire in 1871.

The Kingdom of Saxony after 1815 (Green)

Territories annexed in 1815 by Prussia (Light Green & Blue)

King Frederick Augustus I almost lost his throne in 1815, as he had the Saxons aligned with the French rather than the Prussians. But Prussia decided to take only 40% of the Kingdom, including Lutherstadt Wittenberg, home of the Protestant Reformation, and left the King to rule the rest, which did include Dresden (the capital) and Leipzig.

Population was about 2,500,000.

A stamp was introduced in 1850, and it looks quite similar in design to the early "Numeral" stamps of Bavaria. I won't be showing this one as the CV is north of $7000. ;-)

Other designs (1851- 1863) show the "Coat of Arms", and the Kings Frederick Augustus II and John I. We will see more of these presently.

The German Empire 1871: Saxony (Brown) is in the lower center

Of interest, during the 1866 Austro-Prussian War, Saxony allied with Austria. Perhaps, as recompense, the Kingdom joined the Prussian dominated North German Confederation in 1867.

Stamps of Saxony were replaced by those of the North German Confederation on January 1, 1868.

Subsequently, the Confederation was reorganized in 1871 into the German Empire , under the leadership of Prussian Wilhelm I (Emperor) and Otto von Bismarck.

However, the King of Saxony (John I at the time) still retained some prerogatives, including establishing diplomatic liaisons with other countries.

A historical tidbit... Because the Kings of Saxony accepted the crown of Poland in 1697 (This lasted until 1763), they remained Roman Catholic, although the citizens of Saxony were 95% Protestant.

1865 Scott 11 2ng black/dark blue

King John I

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Saxony 1850-1863, twenty major number descriptions. Of those, eight are CV $1+-$9+, or 40%. Three more can be picked up for CV $10+. The stamp issues consist of imperforate (1850:1, 1851:1, 1851-52:5, 1855-60:6), and perforate 13 and embossed (1863:6). Many of the stamps also come as minor numbers in variant colors.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
10 Pfennings = 1 Neu-Groschen
30 Neu-Groschen = 1 Thaler

1851 Scott 5 1ng black/rose

Frederick Augustus II

The first 3pf brick red stamp, issued in 1850, has a "Numeral" design, and is very expensive (CV $ 7,000+). I will say no more about it.

There was also an 1851 3pg green issue stamp with a "Coat of Arms" design (CV $90+).

The 1851-52 issue (illustrated above) has five stamps, and shows King Frederick Augustus II in the vignette. Three of the stamps have a modest (for Saxony) CV of $9+-$20+.

Frederick Augustus II of Saxony

Frederick Augustus ruled from 1836 to 1854.

He was an intelligent King and ruled wisely.

In 1844, he was a guest of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and he purchased in England an ichthyosaur reptile skeleton for his natural history collection.

He died accidentally in 1854 when he fell in front of a horse who stepped on his head.

1855 Scott 9 1/2ng black/gray "King John I"

As Frederick Augustus II had no legitimate issue, his brother, John (Johann) assumed the throne.

Between 1855-60, a six stamp issue was released with his portrait. CV ranges from $4-$10+ for four stamps.

King John I (1870 Portrait)

John's (Johann's) full name BTW was Johann Nepomuk Maria Joseph Anton Xaver Vincenz Aloys Franz de Paula Stanislaus Bernhard Paul Felix Damasus.

He remained as King until his death in 1873, two years after the Kingdom had become part of the German Empire.

Like his brother, he was intelligent and enlightened. He translated into German Dante's Divine Comedy.

1863 Scott 16 1/2ng orange "Arms Embossed- Design A5"

The next (and last) issue for the Kingdom of Saxony was an 1863 six stamp production with a "Coat of Arms" center design, which is embossed. CV is less expensive unused, and ranges from $1+-$4 for five stamps.

Two stamps have the "A5" frame design.

"Coat of Arms of Saxony"

The "Coat of Arms" for Saxony is from the House of Wettin, which was founded in the early 10th century. The House of Wettin was divided into two ruling branches in 1485 by the Treaty of Leipzig. The Saxony rulers, who also played a part in Polish history, were the Albertine branch.

1863 Scott 19 3ng red brown "Arms Embossed- Design A6"

1863 Scott 19a 3ng bister brown

The other frame design, found on four stamps for the 1863 issue, is shown here.

An aspect of Saxony stamps in the Scott catalogue are the not infrequent minor numbers for color varieties.

Shown above is the major number "red brown", and a minor number "bister brown" hues.

1863 Scott 20c 5ng slate

"Arms Embossed- Design A6"

Another example of a minor number color is the 5ng slate shown above. The major color in the Scott catalogue is dull violet.

Deep Blue

1855-60 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages provided for Saxony, and have a space for all the major numbers.

Of interest, Deep Blue has the "King John I" stamps labeled as an 1855-57 issue, but the 2014 Scott 1840-1940 catalogue lists minor number color variants through 1860.

1863 Scott 15 3pf blue green

Arms Embossed

Big Blue

Big Blue '69 has Saxony on one line of one page, and includes eight spaces for the "1855-56" (3 spaces) and 1863 (5 spaces) issues. The 1940s editions have the same coverage. Total coverage is 40%.

Saxony page in one of the 1940s editions

Actually, the "1/2ng" cut for the "1855-56" spaces is from the 1851 issue. Therefore, for the "1855-56" issue, I include as choices stamps from the 1851-52 issue.

With the additional issue admitted, BB covers the inexpensive stamps well. However, the 1855 Scott 9 1/2ng black/gray (CV $4) is not given a space: for, as just mentioned, they show - by mistake? - the 1851 Scott 3 1/2ng black/gray cut (CV $10+). The only other moderately expensive stamp that was not included as a choice is the 1855 Scott 2ng black/dark blue @ CV $10+.

For the spaces in BB, there are only two that require CV $10+ stamps.

Checklist

1855-56 (actually 1851-60*)

3,5 or 10,8 or 12,

1863

15,16,17,18,19,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1851 Scott 3 1/2ng black/gray ($10+)

1855 Scott 12 3ng black/yellow ($10+)

B) *1851-60 - See discussion above regarding the additional coverage.

1863 Scott 18 2ng blue "Arms Embossed"

Out of the Blue

Without a doubt, the "German" stamp sphere would be an interesting one in which to sub-specialize. But I can't let go of all the other classical WW areas. I guess I'm constituted to be a "generalist". ;-)

Note: Map images, King portrait images, and "Coat of Arms" image all appear to be in the public domain.

Have a comment?

↧

Schleswig

September 22, 2015, 7:33 pm

≫ Next: Schleswig-Holstein

≪ Previous: Saxony

1920 Scott 25 1k dark brown "View of Schleswig"

Types of 1920 Overprinted in Blue:
"Hadersleben" Postmark: June 2, 1920

Quick History
As a result of the Treaty of Versailles, Schleswig , comprising the southern Jutland Peninsula lands of the former Duchy of Schleswig, was offered a plebiscite after WW I.

The Jutland Penisula: Denmark (terracotta);

Northern Schleswig (red); Southern Schleswig (brown); Holstein (yellow)

The reason for the plebiscite was the majority Danish population in northern Schleswig, and the Danes had long advocated for that portion to be formally annexed to Denmark. After WW I, their arguments fell on the sympathetic ears of the French, and hence the plebiscite was organized and monitored by a commission with members from France, Great Britain, Norway and Sweden.

Plebiscite vote: Zone I (Northern Schleswig) to Denmark

Plebiscite vote: Zone II (Central part of Southern Schleswig) to Germany

Zone III (Southern part of Southern Schleswig) to Germany

To publicize the referendum, fourteen stamps were issued January 25, 1920, denominated in Pfennig/Mark.

There was actually two plebiscite votes: one in Zone I, the other in Zone II. No doubt the "zones" were set up to make the results clear, if one wants to be cynical about the process.

The northern portion (Zone I) voted on February 10, 1920 to accept Danish rule (75%). The central part (Zone II) of the southern portion voted on March 14, 1920 for Germany (80%). The south part (Zone III) of the southern portion did not vote, as the forgone conclusion was they wished to remain with Germany.

On May 20, 1920, there was another fourteen stamp issue intended for use in Zone I, and now denominated in Ore/Krone.

Zone I (Southern Jutland) was transferred to Denmark on June 15, 1920.

On a side note, although the Zone II voting results were overwhelmingly for Germany, some Danish nationalists still wanted Zone II to become part of Denmark. Christian X, the Danish King, sided with the nationalists, and dismissed the government, leading to the "Easter crisis of 1920". But by 1920, there was a strong Danish tradition that the monarchy played no role in politics. The King was forced to reverse course. Since that time, no Danish king or queen has intervened in politics.

I've said little here about the earlier history of the Duchy of Schleswig, and Schleswig-Holstein, as that will be the focus of the next blog post!

1920 Scott 9 40pf violet "Arms"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Schleswig 1920, 42 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 24 are CV <$1-$1+, or 57%. Clearly, a nice sampling can be acquired by the WW collector for not much expense.

There were three issues in the catalogue for this 1920 plebiscite era.

Issue One- January 25, 1920 - (Denominated in Pfennig/Mark)- 14 stamps. All are CV inexpensive, except for the 10m red, which is only CV $2+.

Issue Two- May 20, 1920- (Denominated in Ore/Krone)- 14 stamps. Eleven are inexpensive, and the 2k, 5k, and 10k are CV $3-$8.

Issue Three- Official stamps overprinted "C-I'S' on Issue One- 14 stamps. "C-I-S" are the initials for "Commission Interalliee Slesvig", the commission under which the plebiscite took place. All of these stamps are quite expensive (CV $40+-$500), and Scott reports that counterfeit overprints exist. I don't have any, and so I will say no more about them.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Pfennig = 1 Mark
100 Ore = 1 Krone

1920 Scott 4 10pf deep rose "Arms"

The Plebiscite issue of January 25, 1920 had ten of the "Arms" design typographic stamps. The paper has Wmk 114 "Multiple Crosses", a Danish watermark, so clearly the stamps were printed in Denmark. Note the Denomination is in Pfenning/Mark, as the lands had been part of Germany before the plebiscite. However, the "Slesvig" and "Plebiscit" spelling is Danish in origin.

"Used" is modestly more expensive than "unused", but all stamps in the issue are CV <$1-$3+. Clearly, there was philatelic interest in the plebiscite, and, consequently, stamps are still quite plentiful.

Duchy of Schleswig

Coat of Arms

The Duchy of Schleswig was a fiefdom of the Danish Crown from 1058-1866, until the Prussian victories of 1864 and 1866. So, by using the "Arms" symbol, the design should appeal to the nationalistic sentiment of the Danish people. It apparently didn't hurt, based on the 75% vote for Denmark in Danish majority Zone I of the plebiscite. !!!.

1920 Scott 7 25pf orange "Arms"

As mentioned, "used" has a somewhat higher CV than "unused". Here,"Tondern" is on the southern edge of Zone I, and it appears from the voting map that most of the votes went the German way in this town. Of note, the date of the postmark, March 14, 1920, is when the Zone II plebiscite occurred. I suspect most of the postmarks found on "used" are philatelically inspired.

1920 Scott 12 2m deep blue "View of Schleswig"

The four higher denominations for the first issue has a "View of Schleswig" design with the "Arms" motif added. I note that the CV for the 2m deep blue is <$1, but $60 on cover. The lesson: rather than soaking off all those stamps from covers, our Grandparents and Great-Grandparents should have left them on. ;-)

1920 Scott 16 5o green "Arms"

The second issue (14 stamps) during the plebiscite era was a type of the earlier 1920 issue, but overprinted in Blue "I Zone", with the denomination in Ore/Krone. This was a celebratory issue intended for use in Zone I. The Issue release was May 20, 1920, and the stamps were valid to the end of June, although the handover to Denmark occurred June 15, 1920. Stamps of Denmark were subsequently used in northern Schleswig (Southern Jutland), while stamps of Germany were exclusively used in southern Schleswig.

1920 Scott 27 5k green "View of Schleswig"

Type of 1920 Overprinted in Blue

CV for the issue ranges from <$1-$8 for unused, and $1+-$80+ for used. But, don't pay more than the baseline "unused" price for suspect "CTO" postmarks. ;-)

Deep Blue

Schleswig "Zone 1" Issue in Deep Blue
"Aabenraa" postmarks: 6-30-1920 - last day of valid use

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages for the 1920 stamp issues of Schleswig, and naturally has a space for every major Scott number.

1920 Scott 14 10m red "View of Schleswig"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on three lines of one page (shared with Senegambia & Niger, and the beginning of St. Vincent), has 21 spaces. Coverage is 50%.

The 40s BB editions have the same coverage, except the coverage is located after Sarawak, and on the same page as Sardinia and Saseno.

All of the coverage is for the first two issues (The official issue, which is not covered by BB, is quite expensive). BB is missing three stamps from the second issue with CV <$1.

There are no expensive stamps: In fact, the most expensive space is for the Scott 13 5m green @ CV $1+. !

Checklist

1920

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,

9,11,12,13,10,

15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

1920 Scott 24 75o greenish blue "Arms"

Types of 1920 Overprinted in Blue

Out of the Blue

Well, the 19th century "Schleswig-Holstein" problem, with half Danish and half German populations, was finally solved by splitting the former Duchy of Schleswig in two!

And the border established between Denmark and Germany in 1920 is still the same today.

Note: Maps appear to be in the common domain.

Comments appreciated!

↧

Schleswig-Holstein

September 28, 2015, 11:15 am

≫ Next: Senegal

≪ Previous: Schleswig

Holstein 1864 Scott 18 1 1/4s blue & rose

Quick History
The Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein were located between Denmark and Germany on the southern Jutland peninsula. The area served as an important transfer point for goods and materials between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

As one can imagine, there developed conflict between the two nations over "ownership" of the lands.

The Jutland Peninsula

Holstein (yellow); Schleswig (brown & red)

(This map additionally shows the 1920 Plebiscite results for Schleswig)

Both the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein were, for centuries, fiefdoms of the Danish Monarchy. They also came under the administration of Danish government officials.

But, in 1815, Holstein joined the German Confederation (1815-66), and hence the "Schleswig-Holstein Question" arose about the tangled relationship.

In 1850, Holstein introduced a two stamp issue.

Danish Troops return to Copenhagen, 1849 - by Otto Bache

First War of Schleswig

Meanwhile, Denmark and Prussia fought the "First War of Schleswig" between 1848-1851, and, surprisingly, Denmark was victorious. Consequently, Stamps of Denmark were used in the lands between 1851-1863.

Boundary changes after the Second Schleswig War

Treaty of Vienna October 30, 1864

But the friction between Danish and German nationalism continued to grow, which lead to the 1864 "Second Schleswig War" with Denmark vs Prussia and Austria as combatants. Defeated, Denmark gave up control of the Schleswig and Holstein Duchies.

According to the Treaty of Vienna, Prussia would administer Schleswig, while Austria would administer Holstein.

Stamps were issued for Schleswig (1864-1867), Holstein (1864-1866), and Schleswig-Holstein (1865).

But conflicts arose between Prussia and Austria, leading to the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. Prussia was the victor, and all of Schleswig-Holstein was annexed into the North German Confederation (under heavy Prussian leadership) on January 1, 1868.

With the North German Confederation stamp issues, production of Schleswig-Holstein stamps ceased.

The Danish/German conflict did not end there, of course. My prior post covered the Schleswig Plebiscite of 1920 (after WW I), in which the northern section of Schleswig reverted to Denmark. The border changes between Denmark and Germany remain the same today.

For a look at all the philatelic and historical changes to Schleswig-Holstein in diagram form, check out the fine Stamp World History website.

Schleswig 1865 Scott 10 1/2s green

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for 1850-1866 Schleswig-Holstein, 25 major descriptive numbers. Of those, the least expensive are two @ CV $10+ and five @ CV $20+. Clearly, Schleswig-Holstein stamps are costly, but a representative selection should be possible for the WW collector.

The 1850 "Coat of Arms" stamps for Holstein are quite expensive @ CV $300+-$500+ unused, and it is unlikely that a general WW collector will have them (I don't ;-), so I will say no more about them.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
16 Schillings = 1 Mark

Schleswig-Holstein 1865 Scott 4 1 1/4s green

The Schleswig-Holstein typographic issues tend to be rather functional in appearance with a large numeral in the center.

The "Schleswig-Holstein" labeled issue was produced in 1865, and had five denomination stamps. It is rouletted 11 1/2. CV is $10+-$60+, and is less expensive unused.

Schleswig 1865 Scott 11 1 1/4s red lilac

In 1864 and 1865, seven stamps were released for Schleswig with a similar design. These are also rouletted. The CV varies from $20+-$30+.

Note "Herzogth"? Herzogth is an abbreviation of the German "Herzogthum" meaning "duchy".

Holstein 1865 Scott 20 1 1/4s

Holstein had an 1864 imperforate lithographic square shaped blue & gray 1 1/4s stamp issued that has three types of lettering: hence has three major Scott numbers. I don't have any to show, but the CV for two types is $40+-$50+.

I can show (heading the post blog) the 1864 Scott 18 1 1/4s blue & rose square shaped stamp.

Shown here (above) is the more typical design for Holstein issued in 1865 on three stamps. CV is $40+-$60+.

Of note regarding the Scott 20 1 1/4s stamp above: it appears to be a brown color, but Scott has the color listed as "red lilac". ?? (chemical changeling?)

Holstein 1865 Scott 23 1 1/3s carmine

In 1865-66, Holstein additionally had a four stamp issue that was quite similar in appearance to the Schleswig 1865 stamps. The Holstein rouletted stamps had two designs: Note here the "duchy" word ("Herzogthum") is not abbreviated. ;-)

These "duchy" issues for Schleswig-Holstein were replaced by those of the North German Confederation on January 1, 1868.

Deep Blue

Holstein 1864-66 Issues in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages for the stamps of Schleswig-Holstein. All of the major Scott numbers have a space.

Schleswig-Holstein in the Minkus Supreme

Big Blue

I wasn't planning to have a blog post about Schleswig-Holstein, because the Duchies have never been given a space in any edition of Big Blue. (True, the Schleswig plebiscite stamps have spaces, but that was after the duchy era.)

But I've made exceptions before (Annam & Tonkin), and there is no reason that the Duchies should not have been included in BB - their stamps are no more expensive than other German States.

Instead, I am showing here what the Minkus Supreme Global 1840-1952 pages offers: Three spaces- two blank & one illustrating 1865 Scott 3 @ CV $30+.

The Supreme coverage is brutally efficient and brief: for all the German States, two pages are provided with many blank spaces to use. BB does provide more elegant coverage of the German States, but that is a moot point for Schleswig-Holstein. ;-)

Holstein 1866 Scott 22 1 1/4s red lilac

Out of the Blue

It is unclear why BB never included the Schleswig-Holstein duchies stamps. Certainly, they are as deserving as the other German States that were given a space in the 1940s editions. (But as we know, many of the German States then lost their spaces in the '69 edition.)

Note: Maps and Otto Brache painting image appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!

↧

Senegal

October 4, 2015, 12:41 pm

≫ Next: Senegal Bonus Coverage- The Three Types of the 1914-33 Issue

≪ Previous: Schleswig-Holstein

1900 Scott 43 15c gray "Navigation and Commerce"

Quick History
Senegal, on the coast of West Africa, has been under French influence since 1677. Initial important settlements included the island of Goree ( slave trade), Saint-Louis (Capital of Senegal 1673-1902, and French West Africa 1895-1902), and Dakar (Capital since 1902).

The country derives its name from the Senegal River that is located on the east and north border.

Of interest, the country completely surrounds Gambia on the Gambia river.

Slave Traders in Goree, 18th Century

Goree is an island, now part of metropolitan Dakar, and is famous (infamous) as part of the Atlantic slave trade. Although it actually was a relatively minor slave trade port (26,000 enslaved Africans out of 12 million exported total), it has a "House of Slaves" (Maison des esclaves) museum (UNESCO World Heritage site), that records and recounts the horrors of the era. It averages 200,000 visitors yearly. The slave trade from Senegal began to decline in the 1770s.

Colonial West Africa

Note Senegal south of the Senegal River

The illustrated map shows the French Senegal holdings (green) along the coast and the south border of the Senegal river prior to 1880. Only beginning in the 1850s (under Louis Faidherbe, Governor), was there an attempt to colonize the interior of Senegal.

Stamps were introduced in 1887 using surcharged French Colony issues.

Senegal

The population was 1,700,000 in 1942. The prominent ethnic groups include Wolof (43%), Fula (24%), and Serer (15%). Islam is practiced by 92% of the population. French is the official language, but most inhabitants also speak their own ethnic language.

Senegal became independent on June 20, 1960, along with French Sudan (Sudanese Republic), who together had formed the short lived Mali Federation. But the union split apart August 20, 1960, resulting in independent Senegal and the independent Republic of Mali.

French West Africa 1913

For history's sake, I should mention the federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa that existed between 1895 until 1960. They consisted (eventually) of Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan, French Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Upper Volta, Dahomey, and Niger. The capital of the federation was Dakar (Saint-Louis prior to 1902) in Senegal.

The territories were governed administratively by a single Governor in Senegal from 1895, while each colony had a Lieutenant Governor. The lands were known, beginning in 1904, as French West Africa (AOF- Afrique Occidentale Francaise).

One will note that Senegal stamps, beginning in 1906, are labeled "Afrique Occidentale Francaise" or "AOF".

Of great help, Michael Adkins of Dead Counties Stamps website has recently added a French West Africa transition chart. Take a look!

1926 Scott 105 50c red orange & green

"Senegalese Preparing Food"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Senegal 1887-1940, 250 major number descriptions. Of those, 131 are CV <$1-$1+, or 53%. However, the early surcharged French Colony stamps (1887-1892: 34 stamps) are quite expensive indeed (CV $80+-$5000+), are clearly specialist territory, and I will say no more about them here.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1892 Scott 48 40c red/straw "Navigation and Commerce"

Excepting the quite expensive 34 stamps with a surcharged French Colony design between 1887-92, the first issue most WW collectors will have are the 1892-1900 "Navigation and Commerce" stamps. There are 18 stamps in the issue, and 10 are CV $1+-$6+. There can be counterfeits found: Genuines are Perf 14 x 13 1/2, while the counterfeits are 13 1/2 x 14.

1906 Scott 60 5c green

"General Louis Faidherbe"

In 1906, a three design eighteen stamp issue was produced for Senegal. The designs were shared by other members of the French West Africa group (Cote d' Ivoire, Mauritania, Dahomey).

The seven lower denomination stamps features "General Louis Faidherbe", Governor of Senegal between 1854-1861 and 1863-1865. He had opened up the Gum Arabic trade for the French by securing the north bank of the Senegal river.

CV for the Faidherbe stamps are $1+-$4.

1906 Scott 66 35c black/yellow "Oil Palms"

The second design, found on the eight middle denomination stamps, shows the commercially grown "Oil Palm"- Elaeis guineensis. CV is $3+-$8+ for seven stamps.

Oil Palm

The Oil Palm is native to west Africa (Angola to Gambia). It is the principal source of palm oil, an edible vegetable oil from the Oil Palm's reddish fruit pulp. It is semi-solid at room temperature, and is a saturated vegetable fat. It is found widely in commercial foods.

1906 Scott 71 2fr blue/pink

"Dr. Noel Eugene Ballay"

The three highest denominations honor Noel Ballay, French Navy doctor, explorer, and poet. He was also Lieutenant Governor of Gabon (1886-89), Governor of French Guinea (1891-1900), and the Governor-General of French West Africa (1900-02).

He died at age 54, while stationed in Saint-Louis, Senegal in 1902 of "fever" (Yellow Fever?). One is reminded of the scourge of infectious diseases that felled many, even doctors, back then.

1912 Scott 74 5c on 20c red/green

Six stamps from the "Navigation and Commerce" issue were surcharged 5c or 10c in carmine or black in 1912. This issue should be familiar to WW collectors, as examples are found for almost all the French colonies. Five stamps are CV $1+-$4+.

1914 Scott 91 25c ultramarine & black

"Senegalese preparing Food"

Forty-four stamps were issued between 1914-1933, all with the "Senegalese preparing Food" scene. The CV is remarkably inexpensive, with all the stamps @ <$1-$3.

1927 Scott 135 3fr on 5fr magenta & olive brown

Between 1922-27, fifteen stamps were surcharged in various ways. Thirteen are CV <$1-$2+.

1935 Scott 149 20c dark carmine

"Faidherbe Bridge, St. Louis"

Another very long issue- 30 stamps- with two designs was released between 1935-1940. The above design is found on the twelve lower denomination stamps.

1935 Scott 161 1.25fr reddish brown "Diourbel Mosque"

The eighteen higher denomination stamps show the "Diourbel Mosque".

The entire issue's CV ranges from <$1-$2+- remarkably inexpensive.

Diourbel Mosque

Senegal is an Islamic country through the influence of the Almoravids (Berber dynasty of Morocco) in the 11th century.

1939 Scott 182 90d light rose violet

"Senegalese Woman"

There was a nine stamp issue in 1938-40 with the above native motif design. CV is <$1-$1+.

1938 Scott B3 1.75fr + 50c bright ultramarine

"Curie Issue"; Common Design Type

The "Curie Issue", a 1938 semi-postal, was to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the discovery of radium. I don't think I have shown this "Common Design Issue" before on the blog, found on 23 (mostly) French affiliated nation's stamps. (I say "mostly", because Cuba also issued the design!)

1935 Scott C7 3.50fr violet "Caravan"

A 1935 eleven stamp air post issue has two designs: "Plane over Coastal Area Landscape", and "Caravan". Of interest, there was also a five stamp "Common Design Type" issue of 1940 for the French West Africa countries that also used the "Plane over Coastal Area" design, but with a white rather than a dark background for the country script tablet.

1906 Scott J5 10c red brown

The French West Africa countries also shared this postage due design of 1906. For Senegal, there were eight stamps, and the CV ranges from $4+-$20+.

1914 Scott J12 5c green

Likewise, the 1914 eight stamp postage due issue for Senegal was shared with other French West Africa countries. CV is a modest <$1-$1+.

Deep Blue

1931 Colonial Exposition Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 16 pages for the stamps of 1887-1940 Senegal. All the Scott major numbers have a space. Naturally, that includes one page and one line of the very expensive early French Colony surcharged 1887-1892 stamps: I won't be filling those spaces for a long time. ;-)

1935 Scott 168 3fr green "Diourbel Mosque"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on seven pages, has spaces for 165 stamps. Coverage is 66%.

The 1940s editions have the same coverage.

There are only three spaces needing CV $10+ stamps.

Of the two long issues, BB provides spaces for 38 / 44 of the 1914-33 issue, and 24 /30 of the 1935-40 issue. "Appears" to be good coverage, but eight of those missing stamp spaces only require CV <$1-$1+ stamps. ;-)

Checklist

1892

35,36,37,38,40,42,44,45,

1900

39,41,43,

1912

73,74,75,76,77,

1906

57,58,59,60,

61,64,(66),62,

1914-17

79,80,81,82,

84,87,88,91,

93,97,98,(99),

1922

83,85,92,94,

100,104,120,123,

127,128,129,130,

1924

131,

1925

124,125,126,

1925-26

86,89,95,101,

105,106,109,113,

1927-28

90,96,102,107,

1926-28

133,110,114,132,

134,135,

1930-33

111,116,

117,118,121,

1931

138,139,140,141,

1938

179,180,181,183,185,

1939

188,189,190,

1935

142,143,145,146,

147,148,149,150,

151,152,153,154,

156,158,159,160,

1935

161,164,

1937

172,175,

173,174,176,177,

1939

191,192,

1939-40

144,155,157,

162,163,165,

182,184,186,187,

Semi-Postal

1915

B1,

1918

B2,

1938

B3,

Postage Due

1906

J4,J5,J6,J7,J8,(J9),

1914

J12,J13,J14,J15,J16,J17,J18,J19,

1927

J20,J21,

1935

J22,J23,J24,

J25,J26,J27,J28,

J29,J30,J31,

Air Post

1935

C1,C2,C3,C4,

C5,C6,C7,(C8),

1940

C12,C13,C14,

C15,C16,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1938 Scott B3 1.75fr + 50c bright ultramarine ($10+)

1906 J8 30c red/straw ($10+)

1906 (J9) 50c violet ($10+)

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1935 Scott J25 20c olive green

Out of the Blue

French colony stamps, at least for the Big Blue collector, are generally less expensive than British colony stamps.. One can fill a lot of spaces in BB with inexpensive French colony stamps as Senegal well demonstrates.

The bonus? They are attractive too!

Note: Maps and image pics appear to be in the public domain.

Comments welcome!

Colonial Saint-Louis 1902

↧

Senegal Bonus Coverage- The Three Types of the 1914-33 Issue

October 7, 2015, 10:37 am

≫ Next: Senegambia & Niger

≪ Previous: Senegal

1914 Scott 80 2c black & blue, Maury Type I

"Senegalese Preparing Food"

Into the Deep Blue
The Senegal typographic issue of 1914-1933 seems relatively straightforward. Typical of many French colony issues, there is a long run of stamps for this production, from 1914 to 1933, and some 44 stamps in the Scott catalogue. There is only one design, a local market scene of the Senegal natives preparing food. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the CV for this series is remarkably inexpensive @ <$1-$3.

But there is more to the story.

DJCMH, who follows the French colonial issues enthusiastically, and recently has begun his own blog (very nice- check it out!), alerted me to the nuances of this issue.

"And here is another example of where having a specialized catalog can add all sorts of new collecting varieties. The 1914-1933 Market Scene pictorials come in three different types depending on minor variations in the central image. Maury outlines the differences and most of the values have at least 2, if not all 3 types, in existence. Get out a good magnifier and have fun as none of the varieties seem to carry much of a premium, but represent the changes that happen during the course of a long-lived definitive series.

The one interesting thing is that Maury only lists types for Senegal. It may be that more research would be needed but I would not be surprised if other French colonies have similar varieties, but they have not been studied to the same degree as Senegal's issues."

Now, as it turns out, between the time I prepared the Senegal blog post and it's publication, I did receive Maury's catalogue- Timbres de l' ex-empire francais d' Afrique.

Reviewing my own collection, I found a number of "types" for various values. Fun!

So, as a bonus, let's look at the types of this "one pictorial" issue.

Pictorial close-up of Scott 80 - Type I

The Type I print was used between 1914-1922. Measuring horizontally, the pictorial is 22 mm. There are several salient characteristics. (Maury has more detail, discussion (in French naturally), and images- worthwhile to buy the catalogue!)

* The image is generally the clearest and cleanest of the three types.

* Note the hut in the background on the left? If it has a short vertical line on the top of the hut, that is diagnostic for Type I. (Type II and III do not show this.)

* Note the bowl at the lower left that is cut-off by the frame? (Type II's bowl is elongated here.)

Pictorial close-up of Scott 88- Type II

The Type II print was used between 1920-1933. Measuring horizontally, the pictorial is 22.5 mm.

* The image is generally a little rougher than Type I.

* The hut on the left does not have a short vertical line at the top.

* Note the bowl at lower left continues through the frame, and is elongated compared to Type I & Type III (diagnostic).

Pictorial close-up of Scott 113- Type III

The Type III print was used between 1922-1933. Measuring horizontally, the pictorial is 23 mm.

* The image is generally quite rough, darker, and smudgy.

* The hut on the left does not have a short vertical line at the top.

* The bowl on the lower left is again cut-off by the frame.

If one is using the Scott catalogue, here are the type possibilities...

Scott number/ Types

79-I,II,III

80-I,II,III

81-I,II,III

82-I,

83-I,II,III

84-I,

85-I,II,III

86-II,III

87-I,II

88-I,II

89-II,III

90-II,III

91-I,II,III

92-I,II

93-I,II

94-I,

95-II,III

96-II,III

97-I,II,III

98-I,II,III

99-I,

100-I,II

101-II,III

102-II,III

103-I,II

104-I,II,

105-II,III

106-II,

107-II,III

108-I,II,III

109-II,

110-II,III

111-III,

112-I,II,

113-II,III

114-II,III

115-II,

116-II,

117-II,III

118-II,III

119-I,II,

120-I,II,III

121-II,III

122-I,II,III

1914 Scott 88 20c chocolate & black, Maury Type II

Out of the Blue

Why should specialists have all the fun? ;-) These stamps are inexpensive, and they offer the thrill of "discovery" in ordinary collections, with a little bit of knowledge.

I highly recommend the Maury group of catalogues for the French sphere. There is much more in them than is presented here.

And thanks to DJCMH for the timely tip about the 1914-33 issue. !!

Have a comment?

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Senegambia & Niger

October 10, 2015, 1:46 pm

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1903 Scott 7 20c red/green "Navigation and Commerce"

Quick History
Senegambia & Niger was a short lived administrative French possession territory in West Africa between 1902-04, when it was consolidated with a part of (earlier era) French Sudan territory to become Upper Senegal and Niger. (See clarifying note at the end of the blog post.)

French West Africa

Note "Upper Senegal and Niger", formed from..

"Senegambia & Niger", and parts of (then) French Sudan

Senegambia & Niger territory consisted of the upper basins of the Senegal river and the Niger river and parts east- somewhat ill-defined. The main settlement was Bammako on the Niger. This map shows the successor state (Upper Senegal & Niger), but is easy to read.

Senegambia & Niger

This period map shows the swath of land for "Senegambia et Niger".

A German map of "French West Africa" territories

Note "Senegambien" for the Senegal and Gambia lands

"Senegambia" was an older term for the Senegal (French) and Gambia (British) lands that the French -especially- hoped to unite under their leadership. That never happened.

Senegambia & Niger administrative territory had one stamp issue: 1903 "Navigation and Commerce" stamps.

As mentioned, the administrative unit was changed to "Upper Senegal and Niger" after 1904. The French Colony of Upper Senegal and Niger, (capital Bamako), issued stamps from 1906-1921, when the name and postage stamps was changed to (later era) French Sudan.

1903 Scott 1 1c black/lilac blue

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Senegambia & Niger 1903, thirteen major descriptions for the "Navigation and Commerce" issue. Of those, CV is $2+-$7+ for five stamps. It is possible to have a representative sampling for not too much expense.

A closer look at the stamps
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1903 Scott 3 4c claret/lavender "Navigation and Commerce"

Senegambia & Niger stamp output is short and sweet: the "Navigation and Commerce" issue of thirteen stamps produced in 1903.

Since this design is found for virtually all of the French possessions, it is quite familiar indeed.

The issue is typographed, and the name of the colony is in either blue or carmine. Perforations are 14 X 13 1/2. Scott has a note that counterfeits can be found with perforation 13 1/2 X 14.

Deep Blue

1903 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has one page for the 1903 issue. Naturally, all the major Scott numbers have a space.

Senegambia & Niger coverage in Big Blue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, has eight spaces for the 1903 issue. Coverage is 62%.

Senegambia & Niger in the '69 edition is located after St. Thomas and Prince Islands, and on the same page as Schleswig and the beginning of the St. Vincent coverage.

The 40s editions have Senegambia & Niger located after Salvador.

All editions have the same coverage.

BB has spaces for Scott 1-8, and includes two spaces @ CV $10+, and one space @ CV $20+.

Checklist

1903

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1903 Scott 6 15c gray ($10+)

1903 Scott 7 20c red/green ($10+)

1903 Scott 8 25c blue ($20+)

1903 Scott 2 2c brown/buff

Out of the Blue

French West Africa colony boundaries changed often, as they were "administrative" colonies rather than true nation-states. But, at least for Senegambia & Niger, it exists on a map of the period, and had one stamp issue. ;-)

Note: Regarding the formation of Senegambia & Niger: When (earlier era) French Sudan administratively broke up in 1899, the French authorities apparently formed "Upper Senegal" and "Middle Niger" administrative colonies, which issued no stamps of their own, but continued to use (earlier era) French Sudan Stamps. In 1902, the two administrative colonies were combined into Senegambia & Niger. I've been unable to find a map showing these earlier nascent colonies, which, frankly existed more as administrative/military post entities, rather than "real" colonies, as far as I can tell. The French Delegue General (Administrator) was the same for "Haut Senegal et Moyen Niger" (1899-1902) and "Senegambia & Niger" (1902-04). His name was William Merlaud-Ponty, a civilian. (Thanks to Michael Adkins (Dead Countries Stamps website) and Gerben van Gelder (StampWorldHistory website) for digging into this.)

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain. I would like to thank Michael Adkins and Gerben van Gelder for locating the "Senegambia et Niger" map.

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Paraguay - 1933 "Flag of the Race" Issue Forgeries

October 16, 2015, 11:34 am

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≪ Previous: Senegambia & Niger

1933 "Scott 337" 10p multicolored Forgery

"Flag of the Race" Issue

Into the Deep Blue
Paraguay has a number of quite attractive issues, not the least the lithographic multicolored 1933 eight stamp "Flag of the Race" ("Bandera de La Raza") emission that celebrates the 441st anniversary of the first voyage of Christopher Columbus. (441st? I have no idea why. ;-)

I needed the last three stamps in the set, and when a national dealer was having a sale on Paraguay, off went my order.

1933 Scott 335 2p multicolored Genuine

"Flag with Three Crosses: Caravels of Columbus

The design depicts the caravels of Columbus on the sea, and the flag with three crosses. Produced by lithography, the stamp has three colors, and would require three pass-through printings of the sheet to make the finished stamp. The first printing would be for the frame design, the second printing for the globe and caravels on the sea central design, and the last printing for the crosses, which are always in a violet color.

Quire striking, Yes? And the entire eight stamp set is only CV $6+ unused.

What could go wrong?

Paraguay Scott 330-337 "Flag of the Race" Issue

Genuines and Forgeries

A lot as it turns out. I was surprised to find, among the apparent genuine 10c and 2p, six stamps that had the look of a sketchy cartoon of the originals.

I believe the sketchy stamps (in more ways than one) are reprint forgeries from someone who had access to the original, but now worn, plates. A quick review of the usual sources could find no information on these reprint forgeries. (I'm sure there has to be information somewhere, perhaps buried in some philatelic journal. If a reader has knowledge about these stamps, I would be grateful.)

Could the "reprint-forgeries" actually be a second stamp printing sanctioned by the Paraguayan postal officials? I suppose it is possible, but they are so bad in appearance, it is highly doubtful. ;-)

Paper and Gum characteristics

Genuine (Left two); Forgeries (Right two)

The paper of the reprint forgeries is thicker than the original, and is quite white. The gum on the originals in my collection is now a brown color, while the reprint forgeries have white horizontally streaked gum.

Horizontal Stamp Perforations

(Presentation is vertical here)

Forgery (~11.4) vs Genuine (~10.9)

Scott states the originals are Perf 11. But I measured ~10.9 for the horizontal teeth, while the reprint-forgeries appear to be ~11.4 Perf horizontally.

1933 Scott 331 20c multicolored

Genuine vs Forgery

Now let's look at comparisons. (Enlarge the image if it helps.)

The impression of the forgery is that of a stamp on very white paper that has finer sections of the central design missing. The crosses running horizontally and vertically along the frame are more blob like. The colors (red, light blue, purple) are clearly different than the original.

And the second (central design) and third printing (crosses) of the stamp are carelessly shifted compared to the original.

All of the reprint-forgeries show a blob-mark inside the "U" of PARAGUAY.

1933 Scott 332 50c multicolored

Genuine vs Forgery

The differences described for the 20c are found also for the 50c. Note the lack of horizontal lines by the small crosses on the frame.

1933 Scott 333 1p multicolored

Genuine vs Forgery

The violet color crosses on the original are a more purple color on the reprint-forgeries.

1944 Scott 334 1.50p multicolored

The 1.50p reprint-forgery shows all the forgery characteristics particularly well (that is poor and sloppy ;-)

1933 "Scott 336" 5p multicolored Forgery

Out of the Blue

The dealer was not aware that such reprint-forgeries existed. But now he does. And now you do too. ;-)

Comments are appreciated!

↧

Serbia and Forgeries

October 22, 2015, 11:45 am

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1866 Scott 7 1p green "Prince Michael (Obrenovich III)"

Quick History
Serbia liberated itself from the Ottoman occupation (First and Second Serbian Uprising 1804-1815), and the Principality of Serbia had de facto independence since 1817 (although Turkish troops were still in Belgrade until 1867).

Stamps were introduced in 1866.

Principality of Serbia 1878

A new Constitution in 1869 declared an independent state, and in 1878, the Treaty of Berlin gave Serbia full international recognition.

When Prince Milan (Obrenovich IV) was crowned in 1882, Serbia became a Kingdom. The Kingdom continued until 1918, when it joined with Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slovenia to become the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia).

The Principality/Kingdom was ruled by two dynasties: the House of Obrenovic, and the House of Karageorgevic.

King Milan (Obrenovich IV) was on the throne from 1882-89, when he abdicated in favor of his son, King Alexander (Obrenovich V).

But King Alexander and Queen Draga were murdered by a group of military officers in 1903. (The officers later formed the Black Hand secret military society in 1911, which was partially responsible for the onset of WW I.) The brutal coup d'etat stunned Europe. This enabled the return of the Karageorgevic house, with King Peter on the throne until the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was proclaimed in 1918.

The population was 2,900,000 in 1910, and the capital was Belgrade.

Territorial Boundaries after the First (1912) and Second (1913) Balkan Wars

Serbia was victorious in both Balkan Wars, and its land holdings expanded. Tensions between Serbia and Austria-Hungary increased.

Europe 1914

Allied Powers (grey); Central Powers (dull pink); Neutral Powers (ocher)

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo by the Black Hand of Serbia triggered a chain of events that enmeshed all the major European powers, and WW I began.

During WW I, Serbia provided the first Allied victory in 1914, but by 1915 it was occupied by Austro-Hungarian, German, and Bulgarian troops.

Austrian Occupation stamps were issued in 1916.

In 1918, Serbia merged with Montenegro, then joined with the (unrecognized) State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes to form a new Pan-Slavic state: the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia).

Serbia was the leading actor, and the new Kingdom was ruled by the Serbian monarchy.

1901 Scott 57 10p on 20p rose "King Alexander"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Serbia 1866-1920, 224 major number descriptions. Of those, 141 are CV <$1-$1+, or 63%. Clearly, Serbia is an inexpensive country for the WW collector: but with a caveat - one may need to separate out the wheat (genuines) from the chaff (forgeries).

Serbia is a challenge for WW collectors. Not much specific information is available easily. Fortunately, I obtained "The Postal History and Postage Stamps of Serbia" book by Mirko R. Rasic (1979- The Collectors Club). It did not add much about forgeries that I did not have from other sources, but it was a great resource on the various printings, and provided general postal history background.

Let's just say if one wished to specialize in Serbia, and parse the many printings of issues, it would be a worthy challenge! But as WW generalists, we can gloss over that for now, ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Paras = 1 Dinar

1866 Scott 9 20p rose "Prince Michael (Mihailo Obrenovich III)"

Belgrade printing; Perf 9 1/2

The "Prince Michael" stamps were primarily used on foreign newspapers sent to subscribers in the interior from the Belgrade post office. In Belgrade, subscribers received their newspapers through the Austrian post office. Recall that Serbia was, at the time, still a vassal state, and could not make postal agreements with other countries. Therefore, the "Prince Michael" stamps were not used for mail abroad. Serbia did not receive authority to handle foreign mail until September 19, 1869.

The 1866 typographed "Prince Michael" design can be found in a Vienna printing (Three stamps-Perf 12), a Belgrade printing (Three stamps-Perf 9 1/2), and on Pelure paper (Three stamps). There was also a 1868-69 two stamp imperforate issue.

Scott: "Counterfeits are common".

Count the pearls. (Suggestion: scan the stamp, enlarge it on the monitor and count- much easier!)

According to the Serrane Guide (APS publication 1998- Translated by Cortland Eyer).....

Genuine: 77 pearls (All values)
Early Forgery: 59 pearls (All values)
Geneva forgery: 80 pearls (1-para) & 74 pearls (2-para).

I counted 77 pearls for my two specimens shown on this blog post- so, although the Belgrade printing stamps appear "rough", they pass the test. ;-)

Back to history: Prince Michael (Mihailo Obrenovich III) was assassinated in 1868 (The reasons behind the plot are still unclear), and his cousin, Milan Obrenovich, became Prince.

1869 Scott 23 40p violet; Earlier Printing

"Prince Milan (Obrenovich IV)"; A3 design

I was convinced I had some forgeries of this typographed issue because of the large differences in appearance among my collection.

The 1869-78 issue of Prince Milan (nine stamps) can be found with Perf 9 1/2, 12, and compound. The many printings during the 1869-75 years left wide differences in design clarity- as we will see in a moment.

There were also different settings: 2-2 1/2 mm apart (1869) and 3-4 mm apart (1878).

But the lithographed forgery (Perf 12 1/2) for this issue (according to Focus on Forgeries- Tyler c2000) shows a very distinct and obvious white line beginning at the back of the head near the part of the hair, continues down the back of the head and neck, and curves underneath and ends at the pointed front of the neck.

In contrast, the genuine (shown above) only has a thin white line along the back of the head in parts (most obvious- the back of the head behind the ear), and very minor or absent elsewhere.

1878 Scott 18 10p orange "Prince Milan"

Worn Printing

Yes, this is not a forgery- just a very worn printing. !!!

1869 Scott 20 20p gray blue "Prince Milan"

Earlier Printing vs Worn Printing

Hard to believe- No? Even if one doesn't want to specialize in Serbia, collecting different examples of the printings- as shown above- should not be difficult for the WW collector.

1879 Scott 26 2p black, thin paper

"Prince Milan"

In 1872, an imperforate 1p yellow "Prince Milan" of the preceding A3 design was produced. Subsequently, another imperforate "Prince Milan" stamp, but an A4 design (shown above), was issued. The A4 design stamp can either be found on thick paper (1873) or thin paper (1879).

1880 Scott 32 1d violet "King Milan"

In 1880, a nice typographed six stamp set depicting "King Milan" was issued. CV ranges from <$1-$6.

(Prince Milan was nor crowned King until 1882, but the stamps were used through 1889, so he was King most of the time during the stamp issue life.)

King Milan was actually not very popular with the people because of his autocratic ways. And his Queen (Natalija) could not stand him (He was a philanderer), and left him.

1890 Scott 34 10p rose red

"King Alexander (Obrenovich V)"

The young King Alexander had his own seven stamp set issued in 1890. CV <$1-$2+ for six stamps.

He was only fourteen years old, and had to serve under a regency. But, when he was sixteen, he dismissed the regents, and took full royal authority (This move was popular with the people).

1894 Scott 46 1d dark green

"King Alexander"; Granite Paper

This "King Alexander" design comes in two flavors. The 1894-96 eight stamp set is on granite paper. I see lots of red threads.

1898-1900 Scott 48 1p dull red

"King Alexander"; Ordinary Paper

The 1898-1900 seven stamp issue, in contrast, is on ordinary paper. It is quite easy to spot the difference.

1901-03 Scott 61 15p red violet

"King Alexander; Genuine vs Forgery

A nine stamp typographed issue for King Alexander was produced between 1901-03. The three higher denominations (Scott 65-67) are in a larger format.

The lower denomination stamps are quite inexpensive (CV <$1-$1+ for Scott 59-65), but that did not prevent Lucian Smeets and the "Belgian Gang" from producing forgeries for the packet trade around 1912.

(Forgery information from "Focus on Forgeries -Tyler- c2000)

The forgeries are quite good, but the forgery shows a distinct curve from the shading dots on the King's cheek from below the eye to the sideburn.

Open end of "C": 7 mm vs 9 mm

Genuine vs Forgery for Scott 59-64

An even better clue (in my view) is the more open "C" on the forgery.

1903-04 Scott 74 50p gray & black, Red Overprint

"Arms of Serbia on Head of King Alexander"

The 1903-04 issue has the visage of King Alexander, but that is blocked out by an "Arms of Serbia" overprint. What happened? A coup occurred, which benefited the rival house of Karageorgevich, and King Alexander of the Obrenovich house was killed. He was only 26 years old.

The overprints come in two types, and the first type overprint can be either found typographed or lithographed. The stamps are found perf 13 1/2 or perf 11 1/2. (For details, consult the Scott catalogue.)

There are thirteen major numbers for the ten denomination stamps.

1904 Scott 80 10p rose red

"Karageorge and Peter I"

The typographic issue of 1904 shows "Karageorge and Peter I" on five stamps, and "Insurgents" on three stamps. Peter I was the new king from the house of Karageorgevich, and the issue celebrates his coronation, and the centenary of the Karageorgevich dynasty.

The "Karageorge and Peter I" design, by the famous French stamp engraver, Eugene Mouchon (He was responsible for the French Colony "Navigation & Commerce" stamps, among others), is known more notoriously as the "Death Mask" issue. When the stamp is viewed upside down, it purports to show the death mask of King Alexander Obrenovich V.

I won't repeat the story here (It is a good one!), as I did a blog post published on a Halloween Eve past that tells the tale.

The postscript is Mouchon supposedly was so incensed that people had accusing him of being complicit in the scheme, that he refused to do any more stamp design engraving commissions.

1904 Scott 84 1d bister "Insurgents"

Genuine vs Forgery

Lucian Smeets and the "Belgian Gang" also counterfeited the 1904 coronation issue. The photolithographic forgeries, released prior to WW I, are blurred compared to the typographic genuines.

Compare backwards "N" and "J" letters

Genuine vs Forgery

Also, if one examines the Cyrillic script, there is what appears to be a backwards "N" and a "J" letter in the upper right portion of the stamps (Scott 79-86). The forgery appears to have the hook of the "J" impinging on the backwards "N" compared to the genuine. (Focus on Forgeries-Tyler- c2000)

1905 Scott 88 5p yellow green & black; wove paper

"King Peter I Karageorgevich"

Genuine vs Forgery

We are not yet done with forgeries. ;-)

The 1905 King Peter typographed definitive issue (eleven stamps) is on wove paper, and can be found with thicker paper ( Perf 12 X 11 1/2) and on thin paper (Perf ~11 1/2).

But up to 1960, the notorious forger Mirza Hadi of Monaco and Paris offered counterfeit lithographed sets to stamp wholesalers (He called them "genuine reprints"). The forgeries are Perf ~ 11 1/2- (more about that soon), and on thicker, whiter paper.

These Hadi forgeries are ubiquitous in collections- I have at least dozen. ;-)

So, how can one tell the difference?

For one, the forgeries tend to be unused (All of mine are).

Notice how vivid (colors brighter and more intense) the forgery appears? Counterintuitively, the collector is more likely to have a genuine with a more subdued stamp than a bright one.

Forgery- Horizontal Frameline break

Top-Right corner of stamp

Also, look for a gap in the right upper horizontal frame line: forgery. (Some of my forgeries are missing the entire right upper corner horizontal frameline.)

1905 Scott 88 5p yellow green & black

Genuine (Top) vs Forgery (Bottom)

Both reported in the literature as Perf 11 1/2

But Perfs do not line up

Now, as far as perforations...

If one has a Perf 12 X 11 1/2 thicker paper stamp, it is likely to be a genuine, as the forgeries are Perf ~ 11 1/2.

And the reason I have been writing ~ 11 1/2 Perf for the Forgeries is because they are not exactly that. ;-)

Keijo of Stamp Collecting Blog fame has carefully measured the Forgery perforations, and they are 11.6-11.7 X 11.7-11.8.

He has, in addition, found printing differences between the typographic genuines and the lithographic forgeries- check out his post- it is a good read.

One more thing- look at the 5p green & black examples above- doesn't the forgery look longer ?

"1905 Scott 95 1d bister & black" Forgery- 29 mm

1905 Scott 92 25p ultramarine & black- 27 mm

Reading Rasic, he mentioned the lithographic forgeries, which initially appeared after WW II, are a larger size to do wider spacing. He states the size of the stamps, measuring to the perforation, are 23 mm X 27 mm for the genuines, and 24 mm X 30 mm for the forgeries. (From top to bottom, the stamps above measure (for me) more like 29 mm vs 27 mm, but still obvious.)

1908 Scott 100 10p red & black; laid paper

In 1908, there was another issue (eight stamps) of the King Peter I definitives, but on laid paper. One will need to distinguish this issue from the 1905 wove paper issue.

1911 Scott 112 10p carmine

"King Peter I Karageorgevich"

The so called "King Peter with Cap" issue typographed definitives (22 stamps) were released between 1911-14. They all feature a portrait of the king as shown. The sixteen lower denomination stamps are quite inexpensive (CV <$1). The six higher denomination stamps are CV $3+- $150. Of interest, the usual 1914 15p slate black was printed in error in a red color (Scott 115a), and has a CV of $900.

1911 "Scott 126 3d lake"

Hadi Forgery

Unfortunately, Mirza Hadi sold large quantities of counterfeits of this issue to the wholesale trade as recently as the 1970s. Much to my surprise, while preparing this blog post, I discovered five of them in my collection.

1914 Scott 115 15p slate black (genuine)

"1911 Scott 114 15p red violet" (forgery)

Hadi issued forgeries for the 1p-30p denominations, and a cursory inspection will probably not reveal the counterfeits.

But there are signs when one knows where to look. ;-)

To begin with, the genuines are Perf 12 X 11 1/2, while the forgeries are Perf 11 1/2.

Forgeries have a shorter horizontal line under "APA"

Forgeries have an obvious "nick" in the right frameline

Tyler (Focus on Forgeries-c2000) points out two signs for the forgeries.

The horizontal line under "APA" in the right upper portion of the stamp is shorter in the forgeries (1.2-1.4 mm vs ~1.5 mm).

And there is an obvious "nick" in the right frameline 6 mm below the top right corner. All my forgeries show this.

There is a thick vertical curved white line, separated in the middle,

Seen on the jacket of the forgery

I found a another "good" sign in addition. On the jacket design of the forgery, there is a thick vertical curved white line separated in the middle. This is not seen with the genuines. All of my forgeries show this quite clearly.

1915 Scott 133 10p scarlet

"King Peter and Military Staff"

In 1915, a seven stamp set was prepared, obviously in support of the war effort. Of interest, Scott has a note that the higher denominations (Scott 134-138) were not issued for postal use, but were permitted to be used as wartime emergency currency.

1915 Scott 132 5p yellow green

Close-Up: "King Peter and Military Staff"

A weary King?

What I find remarkable is the scene, which has a monochrome bareness to it. The king is sitting on a stone, and all the weariness of war appears to be on his shoulders.

(True, the stamp depicts Serbia's October 1914 one and only victory over the Austrians, but the rest of the battles went badly, and Serbia was occupied by Central Power troops in 1915.)

"King Peter and Prince Alexander"

1918 Scott 156 2p olive brown, Ordinary paper

1920 Scott 170 2p olive brown, Pelure paper

The last regular issue for Serbia (15 stamps) was produced between 1918-20, and showed King Peter and Prince Alexander.

The Serbian government actually spent the last years of WW I in exile in Corfu. But anticipating the liberation of their country, this issue was ordered and the first printing was produced in France. It is therefore know as the "Corfu" issue. They reached Corfu on October 5, 1918. The remaining printings were done in Belgrade. The general public in Belgrade could first buy the stamps on June 30, 1919.

Under Serbia, the leading actor, the surrounding lands then became the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). King Peter I was proclaimed the first King of Yugoslavia, and his son Alexander was Prince Regent, and then King beginning in 1921.

CV for the stamps is <$1-$1+. Be aware that the 1p and 1p denominations can also be found on pelure paper.

For more about the region, see my Yugoslavia 1918-20 post and Yugoslavia 1921-40 post.

1895 Scott J2 10p blue "Coat of Arms"

The postage due issues of 1895-1914, which have this design, were produced on various papers (granite, wove, laid) and perforations (13 X 13 1/2, and 11 1/2).

The 1895 issue (five stamps) was on granite paper, which is illustrated above.

1918 Scott J20 50p chocolate "Coat of Arms"

The 1918-20 typographic postage dues (six stamps), are a busy design indeed. CV is <$1.

1916 Scott 1N15 60h brown violet

Stamps of Bosnia 1912-14, Overprinted

Issued under Austrian Occupation

Found in the Scott catalogue are two issues of stamps (which vary by type of overprint) that were produced during the Austrian occupation in 1916.

The issue shown here has 21 stamps, and the CV ranges from <$1-$2+ for 20 stamps.

1916 Scott 1N27 10h rose carmine

Stamps of Bosnia 1912-14

Overprinted "SERBIEN" Horizontially

Issued under Austrian Occupation

The second type of overprint is illustrated here, and is found on 21 stamps. The CV is fairly expensive, with 19 stamps ranging from $10+-$50+.

I am going to conclude with a remark found in The Serrane Guide about these Austrian occupation issues:

"Forged overprints are more numerous than stars in the sky. Specialize, or leave them alone. No middle ground."

;-)

Deep Blue

1880 "King Milan I" issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has thirteen pages for the stamps of Serbia, and naturally includes a space for all Scott major numbers. But, because of the numerous forgeries one will inevitably accumulate for Serbia, I've found one needs to add quadrilled pages.

1903-04 Scott 73 25p blue & black; black overprint

"Arms of Serbia on Head of King Alexander"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on three pages, has 104 spaces for regular, postage due, and occupation stamps. Coverage is 46%.

The 1940s editions have similar coverage, except the 1940s editions include the 1873 imperforate 2p "thick paper" black (by dates), which is now a minor number (26a) and CV $2+.

The 1940s editions do not have a space for the 1p yellow ( Scott 16 or 25).

As befits an inexpensive country, there are no stamps with CV 10+ that have a space.

BB ignores paper differences. Hence, the 1894-1900 issue (granite vs ordinary), and the 1905-08 issue (wove vs laid), will only have one space.

Checklist

1869-78

16,17 or 18,20,21,22,23,24,

1881

27,28,29,30a* or 30,31,32,

1890

33,34,35,36,37,38,

1894-1900*

48,40 or 49,41 or 50,42 or 51,43 or 52,44 or 53,45 or 54,46,

1900-01

56,58,

1901-03

59,60,61,62,63,64,

1903

69 or 75A,70,71,72,73,74 or 75B,

1904

79,80,81,82,

83,84,85,86,

1905-08*

87 or 98,88 or 99,89 or 100,90 or 101,91 or 102,92 or 103,

93 or 104,94 or 105,(95),

1911-12

108,109,110,112,114,

116,118,120,122,

1914

111,113,115,117,119,121,123,

1915

132,133,134,135,

1918

155 or 169,156 or 170,157,158,159,160,162,

Postage Due

1895-1906

J1 or J6 or J9,J2,J4,J5,

1918

J15 or J16,J17,J18,

Occupation Stamps

1916

1N1,1N2,1N3,1N4,1N5,1N6,

1N7,1N8,1N9,1N10,1N11,1N12,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

C) *30a or 30: BB specifies 25p blue (30a- now a minor number), but 25p ultramarine (Scott 30) can also be put in.

D) *1894-1900: choices are granite vs ordinary paper. Minor color differences were allowed and admitted.

E) *1905-08: choices are wove vs laid paper.

1918 Scott 160 20p red brown

"King Peter and Prince Alexander"

Out of the Blue

I've enjoyed the Serbian issues- but one better be prepared to recognize the numerous forgeries.

Note: Maps appear to be in the common domain.

Comments appreciated!

↧

Seychelles

October 28, 2015, 11:03 am

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1901 Scott 31 3c on 36c brown & rose

"Queen Victoria"; Surcharged in Black

Quick History
Seychelles is an 115 island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 900 miles (1500 km) from Southeast Africa. French and English and Seychellois Creole are the the spoken languages. The people, culture and food is a fusion of English, French, Chinese, Indian, and African influences.

The Seychelles Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles were uninhabited during historic times, so all current inhabitants are descendants of those that were brought to the islands. The British gained control over the French by 1810, but allowed the French settlers to remain.

Main inhabited portion of the Seychelles.

The islands were attached to the colony of Mauritius from 1810 to 1903. Seychelles became a crown colony in 1903.

Stamps for the Seychelles were introduced in 1890. Prior to that, there are examples of Mauritius stamps cancelled (B64 Obliterator) from 1861-1887.

Victoria is the capital, and the population was 43,000 in 1943.

The Seychelles have a tropical rain forest climate, and the temperature varies little throughout the year. Cinnamon, vanilla, and copra were the plantation era exports.

Independence occurred in 1976, and Seychelles remains part of the commonwealth.

1906 Scott 54 6c carmine rose "Edward VII"

Type of 1903, Wmk 3

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Seychelles 1890-1952, 175 major number descriptions. Of those, 78 are CV <$1-$1+, or 45%.

Of interest, there are 58 "A" prefix numbers of stamps from Mauritius used (cancelled) in the Seychelles between 1861-1887. These are expensive, are specialist territory, and I will say no more about them.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Cents = 1 Rupee

1893 Scott 3 3c dark violet & orange "Victoria"

The first issue for Seychelles proper was the 1890-1900 twenty-one stamp "Queen Victoria" keyplate design. The higher denominations are somewhat expensive, but thirteen stamps are CV $1+-$6.

Die I on Scott 9a 13c slate & black

Of interest, the 2c, 4c, 8c, 10c, 13c, and 16c denominations can be found as Die I (minor numbers). There are three horizontal shading lines to the right of the diamond in the rectangle of the tiara band.

Die II on Scott 1 2c green & rose

Die II stamps (major numbers) have no shading lines within the rectangle.

1893 Scott 22 3c on 4c carmine rose & green

Surcharged in Black

Between 1893-1902, there are fifteen stamps with various forms of surcharges, all on the 1890 Victoria design. Nine are CV $1+-$5.

1903 Scott 38 2c red brown & green "Edward VII"

Watermark 2

In 1903, the first issue (eleven stamps) for Edward VII was produced. These are found on watermark 2. At the header of this "Into the Deep Blue" section, I also show a 6c carmine rose that is watermark 3 from the similar 1906 eleven stamp issue. Obviously, the 1903 and 1906 "Edward VII" issues need to be distinguished by watermark.

Wmk 2: "Crown and C A"; Wmk 3: "Multiple Crown and C A"

Wmk 4: "Multiple Crown and Script C A"

Here, as a refresher, are the Wmk 2, Wmk 3, and Wmk 4 British Colonial watermarks.

1912 Scott 69 30c purple & green "George V"

Note "Postage...Postage" on white side tablets

In 1912, a new set of "George V" stamps (eleven) was issued, similar to the preceding "Edward VII" design.

Note the "Postage....Postage" script on the white side tablets.

1917 Scott 75 3c green "George V"

Die I, Wmk 3

Note "Postage...& Revenue" on colored side tablets

Between 1917-20, a new set of "George V" stamps (16) was issued. These are on watermark 3 paper, and are Die I, except for the 18c, 25c, 75c, and 1.50r values, that can also be found as Die II (minor numbers).

Note the "Postage......& Revenue" script on colored side tablets.

1922 Scott 98 6c violet "George V"

Die II, Wmk 4

Then, between 1921-32, a 24 stamp set that is on watermark 4 paper and Die II design was issued.

We have discussed the Die I /Die II differences before, and, if one needs a refresher, take a look at the Fiji blog post. Also, the 2014 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue shows the differences rather nicely on page 38A (Introduction Section). The illustration and explanation of the Die I/ Die II differences have improved in the 2014 Scott, compared to the 2011 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue.

1938 Scott 125a 2c purple brown

"Coco-de-mer Palm"

A 16 stamp set with three scenes using photogravure was issued between 1938-1941. This was on chalky paper. Then, adding new values and color changes, a a twelve stamp issue was produced in 1941-49 on chalky paper, and a sixteen stamp issue was produced in 1942-45 on ordinary paper.

The "Coco-de-mer" is also known as the sea coconut or double coconut. It is endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. It is mainly found in the National Parks on those islands. Fortunately, the Seychelles have been careful with their indigenous flora, and, as a World Heritage Site, a third of the area is now protected.

1942 Scott 129b 6c green "Fishing Canoe"

A "Pirogue" is a native dugout canoe used for fishing.

Of the 44 stamps issued from 1938-1949, Scott gives 20 of them bolded minor numbers. It is somewhat unclear to me what criteria Scott used for parsing.

Deep Blue

1912 "George V" Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has eleven pages for the stamps of the Seychelles. Of interest, Deep Blue includes spaces for the minor number 1890-1900 Die I stamps (eight spaces), and the 1917-20 Die II stamps (four spaces).

1917 Scott 77 6c carmine rose "George V"

Die I, Wmk 3; Note "Victoria" cancel, the Capital

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on two pages (Tobago has one line), has 66 spaces for the Seychelles. The 40s editions have the same coverage. Coverage = 47% (I subtracted the 35 stamps issued after 1945).

There are two "expensive" stamps and two "Most Expensive" stamps (CV $45-$70) required, all from the "1938" issue. This is because of color specifications by BB, although there are less expensive stamps of the same denomination issued in the 1940s in different colors.

Checklist

1890-1900

1,2,3,4,5,8,9,

1892 (actually 1893)

22,(23),

1903-06*

38 or 52,39 or 53,40 or 54,41 or 55,(56),

1912

63,64,65,66,67,68,(70),

1917-32*

74 or 91,75 or 92,93,94,95,96,77 or 97,98,

99,78 or 100,101,103,80 or 104,105,(107),(108),

1935

118,119,120,121,

1937

122,123,124,

1938*

125,126,130,132,137,138,

128,141,142,135,

140,144,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1938 Scott 137 25c ocher ($10+)
1938 Scott 138 30c rose lake ($10)
1939 Scott 142 75c gray blue ($45)
1938 Scott 144 1r yellow green ($70)

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice
C) *1903-06 - Wmk 2 vs Wmk 3 choices.
D) *1917-32- some Wmk 3/Die I vs Wmk 4/Die II choices.
E) *1938- Issue consists of 1938-41 Chalky Paper, New values and color changes with chalky paper (1941-49), and ordinary paper (1942-45). Most of the spaces are defined by the color specifications, but there are stamps specified (20c bright blue) that were issued after 1940. The 45c "violet brown" color is not found in the modern catalogue. Use your judgement.

1942 Scott 139 30c bright blue

"Seychelles Giant Tortoise"
Found on Aldabra Atoll

Out of the Blue

Exotic location muted somewhat by the ordinary keyplate issues of the British colonial era.

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!

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Shanghai

November 3, 2015, 11:28 am

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1890 Scott 130 5c rose "Shield with Dragon Supporters"

Quick History
The Chinese government allowed a number of ports ("Treaty Ports") to be opened for foreign trade between 1842-1860. Shanghai became the leading port, with British, French, and American settlements established in 1843, or shortly after.

Shanghai and other Treaty Ports (Date of opening listed)

In 1854, the Shanghai Municipal Council was formed to administer the foreign settlements, essentially independent of Chinese oversight. The Shanghai Local Post was established in 1863, and the first "Local Post" stamp was issued in 1865. Other Treaty Ports also joined the Shanghai Local Post, and more mail was handled by them than the Imperial Customs Post and the Hong Kong Postal Agency combined.

Shanghai Settlements 1912

The Scott 1840-1940 catalogue has 183 "major number" stamps issued during the years 1865-1893 for the Shanghai Local Post. Over 35 stamps were issued in 1893. On November 1, 1897, the Imperial Chinese Post Office took over the mails from the Shanghai Local Post.

For the WW classical era collector, the Shanghai Local Post stamps (1865-1896) and the other Treaty Port stamps ( Amoy 1895-96, Chefoo 1893-96, Chinkiang 1894-96, Chungking 1893-95, Foochow 1895-96, Hankow 1893-97, Ichang 1894-96, Kewkiang 1894-96, Nanking 1896-97, Wei Hai Wei 1898-99, Wuhu 1894-97) are really more specialist territory, and also rather expensive. But Big Blue devotes a page to the Shanghai Local Post stamps, and therefore a representative selection can and should (considering the history) be collected.

1893 Scott 153a 1/2c orange "Coat of Arms"

Typographed

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has (in the China section), for Shanghai 1865-1896, 183 major descriptive numbers. Of those, 14 are CV <$1-$1+, or 8%. If one raises the CV bar from $2 to $10+, 64 more stamps can be added (35%). Shanghai stamps are fairly expensive for the WW classical collector. And some are very expensive- up to CV $28,000. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues
Cash Coin System
800-1600 Cash = 1 Tael
Dollar System
10 Cash = 1 Cent
10 Cents = 1 Chaio (Hao)
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (Yuan)
1 Dollar = .72 Tael
Tael System
10 Li = 1 Fen (Candereen)
10 Fen (Candereen) = 1 Ch'ien (Mace)
10 Ch'ien (Mace) = 1 Liang (Tael)

1889 Scott 124 20 cash gray "A11 Design"

Wmk 175, Perf 15

Most of the earlier Shanghai stamps have a "Dragon" as the central motif, and there are some fourteen designs that have it between 1855-1877. The lithographed 1889 stamp (shown above) is a "Type of 1877" A11 design, but on watermarked paper. This five stamp issue of 1889 is the first time watermarked paper was used for the Shanghai stamps.

Wmk 175 "Kung Pu (Municipal Council)"

Here is the watermark. Actually, almost all of the remaining issues (1889-1893) have this watermark.

1890 Scott 130 5c rose "Shield with Dragon Supporters"

But there were three lithographed stamps with the "Shield and Dragon Supporters"design that were issued in 1890 that are unwatermarked.

1893 Scott 156 5c blue "Coat of Arms"

Lithographed

In 1893, a "Coat of Arms" design was used. The 1893 seven stamp set is lithographed, and the 5c blue is illustrated here.

Lithographed- No dot to right of curlycue in triangle

The lithographic stamps of this set show no dot to the right of the curlycue above "S" .

1893 Scott 154a 1c brown "Coat of Arms"

Typographed

There were, in addition, four stamps released in 1893 that were typographed (153a,154a), or the frame inscriptions were lithographed, and the rest typographed (157a,159a). These are given bolded minor numbers in Scott.

Typographed- Dot to right of curlycue in triangle

The typographed stamps have a dot to the right of the curlycue.

1893 Scott 160 1/2c orange, Typographed

Stamps of 1893 Overprinted in Black

Also, seven stamps were overprinted in black, as shown, in 1893 for the 50th anniversary of the first foreign settlement in Shanghai.

1896 Scott 172 6c carmine & black/rose

Arms Type of 1893

In 1896, a three stamp set was released with the "Arms Type of 1893" design. This would prove to be the last stamps issued for the Shanghai Local Post.

1893 Scott J17 5c blue & black "D2"Design"

Postage Due

In 1893, a seven stamp postage due issue was released with this rather functional design.

Stamps of Shanghai were discontinued by 1898.

Deep Blue

1893 Postage Due in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 12 pages for the stamps of Shanghai, and includes a space for all the major Scott numbers. My Shanghai collection is quite modest, and the first seven pages in Deep Blue are empty at the time of writing this blog post. ;-)

Of interest, Deep Blue (Steiner) does not provide spaces for the four typographic examples (minor bolded numbers Scott 153a,154a,157a,159a) of the 1893 "Coat of Arms" issue.

1893 Scott 162 2c vermilion

Overprinted in Black

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one page, has 31 spaces for the stamps of Shanghai in the regular and postage due categories. The page is located after Seychelles in the '69, and after Serbia in the 1940s editions. The coverage is the same for all editions.

The coverage is 17%.

Only two stamps cross the $10+ threshold.

Although the coverage is objectively meager, BB manages to present a representative selection that is not very expensive. I'm O.K. with that, ;-)

Checklist

1877-86

84 or 92 or 101 or 102 or 109,(103),

1888-89

111 or 124,112 or 125,(113),

1890-92

129 or 135,137,

1893*

153 or 153a,154 or 154a,155,156,157 or 157a,158,159 or 159a,

1893

160,161,162,167,163,164,(165),

1896

170,171,172,

Postage Due

1893

J14,J15,J16,J17,J18,J19,J20,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):

1888 (Scott 113) 60 cash rose ($10+)

1893 Scott 164 10c green ($10+)

B) *1893- Lithographic vs Typographic choices for some spaces.

C) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1896 Scott 171 4c orange & black/yellow "Coat of Arms"

Arms Type of 1893

Out of the Blue

I am particularly attracted to all things China (Philatelic and otherwise), perhaps because I have a wonderful daughter-in-law from Guangzhou (Canton). I have joined the China Stamp Society.

And, although WW classical era collecting has a firm grip on me, I do plan to expand my China collection, time and wallet permitting. ;-)

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comments welcome!

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