Uruguay

1859 Scott 11 180c green

Thin Numerals

Quick History
Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America, is located in the temperate southeastern region, and is bordered by Argentina and Brazil.

Uruguay

The country first became independent in 1828 with British support.

Government stamps were issued in 1859, resembling the private carrier stagecoach (Diligencia) stamps of 1856-58 (Soles de Montevideo (Montevideo Suns)).

The capital is Montevideo, and the population was 1,000,000 at the beginning of the 20th century.

Uruguay remains majority white (90%), either from descendants of the Spanish colonists, migrants from Argentina, or from European immigrants (Spain, Italy). Although located in South America, culturally Uruguay looks to Europe.

1881 Scott 45 7c blue "Joaquin Suarez"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Uruguay 1856-1944, 843 descriptive numbers. Of those, 578 are CV <$1-$1+, or 69%. Clearly, Uruguay is an inexpensive country to collect, in general, for WW collectors.

A fly in the ointment is the earlier issues can be found forged. The genuines were printed with lithography, which is also the playground of the counterfeiters. I will try to show some of the signs of the genuines where I can.

Also, the earlier "Carrier" issues (1856-58: Scott 1-6) are expensive (CV $120-$2,700+), and are really specialist's territory. But I do have several examples, which I will show.

And with one blog post allocated for Uruguay, I will only be able to cover, as an overview, the 19th century issues.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
120 Centavos = 1 Real
8 Reales = 1 Peso
100 Centesimos = 1 Peso (1859)
1000 Milesimos = 1 Peso (1898)

Carrier Issue

"1856 Scott 3 1r vermilion "El Sol de Mayo"

Probable Sperati Forgery

The "Carrier Issues", released by Atanasio Lapido, Administrator-General of the Posts between 1856-57, comprise the first Scott catalogue four major numbers for Uruguay. They are fairly crude, and are printed lithographically  - which is also the favorite playground of the counterfeiters. They were created from 35 stones, so there are 35 minor varieties. The current CV ranges from $400-$2,700.

Carrier Issue (with upper corner fault)

"1856 Scott 3 1r vermilion "El Sol de Mayo"

Probable Genuine

As noted, the Carrier Issue was the playground of forgers, and perhaps up to ten have tried their hand. I'm not going to do an analysis, because I do not have enough stamps or background reference material. But I did submit the images to The Stamp Forum, and "falshung", who has an intensive interest in forgeries, thought the first stamp is a Sperati forgery, while the second stamp is apparently genuine.

Falshung has a good deal of information about forgeries at this website, http://stampworld.ca/Website/

Use his index to get to Uruguay.

1858 Scott 6 240c dull vermilion "El Sol de Mayo"

The 1858 Carrier Issue consists of three denominations, and likewise has been forged extensively. The 240c dull vermilion shown here might be genuine, based on an initial evaluation.  Scott recommends Certs for this issue.

1858 Scott 6b 240c brick red

The 240c can be found in minor number shades - here, perhaps "brick red".

1859 Scott 9 100c brown lake

Thin Numerals

The lithographic "Thin Numeral" 1859 six stamp imperforate issue was the first for the Republic, and was similar in design to the 1856-58 local "Carrier" issues. It featured the Montevideo Sun motif.

CV ranges from  $20+ to $90.

One collects these stamps with trepidation, because of the possibility of forgeries.

Genuine characteristics include an accent on the second "E" of "CENTESIMOS", a leftward leaning second "S" of "CENTESIMOS", the center circle is moved to the left and slightly lower, the wavy lines are alternately straight and wavy, and the wavy lines frequently are broken. (The Serrane Guide APS 1998)

1860 Scott 13 60c dull lilac

Thick Numerals

The lithographic "Thick Numerals" five stamp set was issued in 1860. CV is $10+-$50 for four stamps.

These are so crudely produced, that one would think they are all forgeries. ;-) Serrane devotes four densely packed pages in small type to all the forgeries found for the "Montevideo Suns", so one's concern is warranted.

Forgery

Dash on left Cheek; Tear Drops have white interior

This is a definite "scar on cheek" forgery. Note the characteristics.

Thanks to falshung and his Uruguay Forgeries website.

1864 Scott 18 6c rose "Coat of Arms"

The lithographic "Coat of Arms" 1864 issue consists of five denominations. CV is $10-$20+ for four stamps.

Characteristics of the genuine (Serrane) include two dots containing four vertical hatch marks before and after "Republica Oriental"; accent on the second "E" of "CENTESIMOS"- touching the top of the tablet; thin, blank circle under the first inscription; in the escutcheon, half of the right scale of the balance is missing.

Although I don't see four definite vertical hatch marks (worn impression?), I'm inclined to think this example is genuine. (Wishful thinking? ;-)

1866 Scott 29 1c black, Type II, Imperforate

The lithographic "Coat of Arms and Numeral of Value" issue of 1866 consists of five imperforate denominations, while the 1866-67 issue had five perforate denominations.CV is $1-$10+.

The 1c imperforate black, shown above, is Type II, as the wavy lines behind "Centesimo" are rough and blurred.

This stamp was also featured in the forgery/genuine comparison book of Varro Tyler ("Focus on Forgeries c2000).

Scott 29, 29a, 34 1c black Genuine

In the bottom right corner, the horizontal frameline extends

horizontally and touches the thick outer frame line

The Genuine has the horizontal shadings end far above the mountain peak in the top right quadrant. (The forgery shows the shading lines covering the mountain peak.)

And the bottom right corner of the genuine shows this quite distinctive sign (illustrated above).

1866 Scott 36 10c green, Perforated

"Coat of Arms and Numeral of Value"

The 1866-67 five stamp issue is perforated Perf 8 1/2 to Perf 13 1/2. For the issue, there are various minor numbers for thin paper, thick paper, and pelure paper, as well as color shades.

1877 Scott 42 20c bister

Rouletted 8

Engraved stamps for Uruguay made their appearance with the 1877-79 six stamp numeral issue.

Note this issue is rouletted. Uruguay continued to produce various rouletted issues through 1892.

1882 Scott 47 2c  rose

Devices from Coat of Arms

The two stamp 1882 issue is an interesting one. Each stamp bears a number from 1 to 100, depending on their position in the sheet.

This interested early collectors, who attempted to find all available numbers for plating studies. So forgeries of entire sheets were made to satisfy the demand. !!!

Tyler states that the forgeries, in general, were printed better than the genuine stamps, so plate reconstructions often contain many counterfeits.

Genuine

No Dot is present just to the left of the top-left point of the "1882" Tablet

The forgery shows a prominent dot in the white space between the top-left edge point of the "1882" tablet and the circle-line. Genuines are perf 12 /12 or imperforate; Counterfeits are irregularly perf 13 1/2 or imperforate.

1883 Scott 49 2c red "Coat of Arms"

A four stamp issue, with the "Coat of Arms" for the lower denominations, was released in 1883.

CV is $1-$2+.

Coat of Arms of Uruguay

Adopted in 1829, the "Coat of Arms" consists of a rising golden sun ("Sun of May") - indicating the rise of the Uruguayan nation-; a scale ("equality and justice"); the Cerro de Montevideo (Fortress on the summit-"strength"); a galloping horse ("liberty"); and an ox ("abundance").

1883 Scott 50 5c blue 

"Gen. Maximo Santos"

The two higher denominations for the 1883 issue feature portraits of generals.

Maximo Benito Santos Barbosa,  a military professional, was Minister of War between 1880-1882, and President of Uruguay between 1882-1886. But there was a regime change, and he ended up being exiled. He died in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1889.

1883 Scott 52 5c green, Rouletted 8

On 1877 Scott 40 Overprinted in Black

In 1883, the 1877 Scott 40 5c green was overprinted in black, as shown.

1884 Scott 53 1c on 10c vermilion

On 1877 Scott 41 Surcharged in Black

The 1877 10c vermilion was surcharged in black in 1884.

1884 Scott 55 5c ultramarine, Thick paper

The lithographed 1884 issue stamp is found on thick paper ultramarine (Scott 55) and thin paper blue (Scott 56).

1888 Scott 65 7c orange "Artigas"

Engraved; Rouletted 8

The rouletted 8 sixteen stamp 1884-88 engraved issue has numerals, portraits, and coat of arms designs.

Jose Gervasio Artigas Arnal (1764-1850) was a general, and was involved in many battles and wars (British invasion of the Rio de la Plata, Portuguese invasion of the Banda Oriental, Argentine War of Independence, Argentine Civil Wars). He is considered the "Father of Uruguay", and a national hero.

It is said that, after a long exile in Paraguay in 1850, and feeling himself near death at the age of 86, he asked for a horse, and died in the saddle, as a gaucho.

1884 Scott 61A 5c blue/blue

Scott has a warning that water will dissolve the blue in the paper of the Scott 61A 5c blue/blue "numeral" stamp

1887 Scott 71 10c lilac, Lithographed, Rouletted 8

1887 Scott 71a 10c gray lilac

The 1887 lithographic 10c lilac also has a minor number color- gray lilac- as shown.

1894 Scott 82 7c green

Engraved

Between 1889-1901, a twenty-four stamp engraved issue was released. The lower denominations tend to have rather elaborate numeral designs.

1894 Scott 90 25c vermilion "Justice"

Engraved

The 25c "Justice" was released in red brown (1889), vermilion (1894), and bister brown (1901).

1901 Scott 94 50c carmine "Mercury"

The 50c denomination is found in light blue (1889), lilac (1894), and carmine (1901). It has a rather whimsical seated Mercury.

1891 Scott 99 5c violet, Rouletted 8

On 1886 Scott 62 Overprinted in Red

Between 1891-92, two stamps (Scott 59 & 62) from the 1884-88 issue were overprinted in red.

As tends to be the case for most 19th century Uruguay stamp issues, the CV (<$1) is modest indeed.

1899 Scott 114 5c steel blue "Locomotive"

Between 1895-99, another large (22 stamps) engraved issue was produced.

The 5c "Locomotive" is found in red (1895), green (1897), and greenish blue (1899).

1895 Scott 115 7c deep green "Bull's Head"

The "Bull's Head" stamp is deep green (1895) and orange (1897). Magnificent!

1897 Scott 123 50c green & brown "Mercury"

The CV for the 22 stamp issue is <$1-$5+ for 20 stamps.

1897 Scott 127 2p bister & carmine

"Montevideo Fortress"

The fortress on the Cerro de Montevideo (Fortaleza del Cerro) overlooks the Bay of Montevideo. The lighthouse and lookout were built in 1801, and the fortress in 1802-09. It has been a Military Museum since 1916.

1897 Scott 133 1c brown violet & black

"President Joaquin Suarez"

On 1896 Scott 130 Overprinted in Red

Three stamps were overprinted as shown in 1897.

Joaquin Suarez was president of Uruguay from 1843-1852- but effectively his rule was only for the old city of Montevideo. During this period the "Great Siege of Montevideo" was occurring led by Manuel Oribe, who ruled the rest of the country during the Uruguayan Civil War.

1897 Scott 141a 10c red, Blue Overprint
Here, the Overprint is Inverted

The four stamp red or blue overprinted issue of 1897 commemorates the Restoration of Peace at the end of the Civil War. This issue was for use only on September 26-28, 1897.

1898 Scott 146 1/2c on 5c pale blue & black

"President Joaquin Suarez"

Red Surcharge

A 1898 issue of six stamps consisted of black, blue, or red 1/2c surcharges on various regular issue denominations.

1898 Scott 148 5m rose "Liberty"

The lithographic 5m "Liberty" was issued in rose (1898) and purple (1899).

1899 Scott 150 5m light blue 

"Statue of Artigas"

In the United States, statues of Jose Artigas can be found on Constitution Avenue, in Washington, D.C.; on 6th Avenue in New York; in Newark, New Jersey; and in Montevideo, Minnesota.

1900 Scott 152 5c on 10c lake & black

"Statue of President Suarez"

On 1897 Scott 135 with Additional Surcharge in Black

This stamp has the 1897 red overprint, and then a 1900 additional surcharge in black.

The original issue (Scott 132)  was released in 1896.

Genuine: 1908 Scott 174 1c carmine & dark green

"Cruiser Montevideo", Typography, Rouletted 13

I'm going to venture past 1900 with a couple of additional issues.

The three stamp 1908 "Cruiser Montevideo" issue was remarkable,  The dark green background and the central design was printed from a halftone screen. This was the first use of a halftone screen in stamp production. The screening consists of small dots.

There are forgeries, however.

Genuine: The peak of the Mountain is not complete

A sign of the genuine is the mountain peak in the upper right corner- the tip- is separated from the top of the mountain. The tip appears as a small dot.

Forgery: 1908 "Scott 175" 2c green & dark green

Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries, c2000) states there are several different forgeries. The genuine, however, always shows the peak of the triangular mountain in the top right corner as separated from the rest of the mountain.

Forgery: The peak of the Mountain is attached

Here, this forgery shows the peak of the mountain is not separated.

1910 Scott 183 5c deep blue "Centaur"

I will end the stamp review of Uruguay with a lovely design- the 1910 two stamp "Centaur".

This was issued for the centennial of Liberation Day, May 25, 1810.

Deep Blue

1898 Surcharged Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has, for Uruguay 1856-1944, 57 pages. All of the major Scott numbers have a space, and the spaces tend to follow the modern Scott catalogue sequence.

1895 Scott 128 3p carmine & blue

"Cathedral in Montevideo"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on nine pages, has 298 spaces for the regular, postage due, parcel post, special delivery, semi-postal, official, and air post categories. Coverage is 35%.

Coverage is adequate, but not generous.

BB only has two stamp spaces that require $10 CV. Remarkable.

Checklist

1877-80

39 or 44, 40,41,(42),

1882

47,

1884

53,

1884

55 or 56,

1888

72,

1889

73,

1884-88

57 or 58, 59,60A,60,61 or 61A or 63,62,66,

1889-94

74,75,76,77,79,80,

81,84,85,86,89,(87),(90),

1891-92

98,99,101,

1892

102,103,104,105,

1895-96

108,110,112,

Next Page

1896

130,131,

1897

133,134,109,111,113,

1897

136,

1898

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

1899

150,78,114,137,

1900

151,88*,

1898-99

148,149,

1900

152,153,154,156*,

1901

157,158,91*,

1904-05

160,161,162,163,

1904-05

164*,166,167,

1906-07

170,171,172,

Next Page

1909

179,

1910

184,

1910

182,

1911

196,

1910

187,188,

1910

189,190,191,192,193,194,195,

1909

177,178,

1912-15

199,200,201,

1912-15

202,204,205,206,207,208,(209),

1913

211,212,

1919

217,218,219,220,

1919-20

225,226,227,228,229,230,

Next Page

1920

235,236,237,

1921

250,

1921-23

238,239 or 254, 240,

1921-23

241 or 255, 243,244,245,246,247,248,

264,265,266,

1923-24 (Actually -27)*

267 or 285 or 309  or 317, 268,269,270 or 288 or 312 or 320, 271 or 321, 272,291,273,

1923

279,280,281,

1924

282,283,

1924

284,

1925

300,301,302,

Next Page

1925

303,304,305,

1928

349,

306,307,308,

1928

388,389,390,391,392,393,

350,351,353,354,356,359,361,364,

1930

394,395,396,397,399,

398,400,401,402,

Next Page

1932

414,415,416,417,

1933-35

429,453,446,

1932

355,358,362,363,365,369,

1933-35

430,431,432,433,434,435,

441,442,443,444,445,

447,448,449,

454,455,456,457,

Next Page

1935

463,464,465,466,467,468,

1935

469,470,471,

1937-39

474,475,476,477,

1937-39

478,479,480,481,482,483,

1937-38

484,485,486,487,

1939

489,490,491,492,

493,495*,496,497,498,499,500,

Next Page

Postage Due

1902

J1,J2,J3,(J4),

1913-27

J7,J8,J9,J10,(J11),

Parcel Post

1922

Q1,Q2,Q3,Q7,Q8,Q9,

1927

Q25,Q26,Q27,Q28,Q29,Q30,

Special Delivery

1922

E2,

1924

E3,

Semi-Postal

1930

B1,B2,B3,B4,

Official Stamps

1911

O111,O112,O113,

Next Page

Air Post

1926-28

C10,C14,C15,

1924

C4,C5,C6,

1929-30

C27,C29,C31,C33,

C35 or C36, (C37), (C38), (C39),

1935

C63,C64,(C65),(C66),(C67),

1937-40

C83,C84,C85,(C86),(C88),

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1924 Scott 282 2c rose ($10)
1924 Scott 283 5c mauve ($10)
1924 Scott 284 12c bright blue ($10)

B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.
C) *88- Do not confuse with Scott 165.
D) *156 vs *164- Do not confuse.
E) *91 is 1901 bister brown.
F) *1923-24 (Actually -1927)- Choices original, first, second, third redrawings.
G) *495-500- No horizontal lines in portrait background.

1895 Scott 126 2p violet & green

"Montevideo Fortress"

Out of the Blue

I must admit I am attracted to Uruguay, and by proxy- to its stamps. I would like to visit Uruguay (and Argentina) some day.

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

Comments appreciated!