Peru

1860-61 Scott 9 1d blue "Coat of Arms"

Zigzag Lines in Spandrels

Quick History
Peru, home of the Inca Empire, was conquered and colonized by Pizarro and the Spanish, with the Viceroyalty of Peru established in Lima by 1542. The Viceroyalty, which initially had authority over all of Spanish South America, persisted until 1824.

Although wars with Spain (1810-1824), and  Jose de San Martin's  proclamation for Peru in 1821 gained independence, the country subsequently slid into territorial disputes with it's neighbors through 1884.

1879 Map of Peru, Bolivia and Chile

The War of the Pacific (1879-1883) was devastating for Peru, as they were defeated by the Chileans. (One can argue the Bolivians had even a worse result, as they lost the Litoral Province and their sea access to Chile.)

Lima was occupied (1881), and the nitrate rich territory of Tarapaca was acquired by Chile. It took until 1929 to solve the Arica province (to Chile) and the Tacna province (to Peru) territorial disputes.

You think the old resentments are gone now? I talked to an acquaintance of mine, who is a professor of Latin American History (and who grew up in Peru), and they certainly are not.

 Peru Today

But bad news for a country is sometimes good news for collectors. There are interesting (and inexpensive ) overprinted Chilean occupation stamps, as well the overprinted provisional issues produced in outlying areas; as both Lima and Callao, the source of stamps, were occupied. The fly in the ointment, of course, are the numerous counterfeit overprints.

The Capital is Lima, and the population was 7,200,000 in 1942.

1886 Scott 115 1s brown

"Sun God of the Incas"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Peru 1857-1938, 357 regular, 64 air post, 3 special delivery, 58 postage due, 34 official, 9 parcel post, 29 postal tax, 12 occupation (Chilean), and 113 provisional stamps during the 1879-82 Chilean-Peruvian War. Total = 629.

Of those, 378 are CV <$1-$1+, or 60%. Clearly, Peru, like many Latin American countries, is reasonable in CV price for WW classical era collectors.

Peruvian stamp issues, as is also true of it's South American neighbors, I find quite interesting. But I will limit myself to one blog post for Peru. Therefore, I will concentrate, for discussion purposes, on the earlier 1860-1894 issues.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
8 Reales = 1 Peso (1857)
100 Centimos = 8 Dineros =
4 Pesetas = 1 Peso (1858)
100 Centavos = 1 Sol (1874)

1868 Scott 14 1d green "Coat of Arms"

The famous Pacific Steam Navigation Co. produced stamps of 1857 are expensive ($2000+), with numerous forgeries. If you are interested in them- you are reading the wrong blog- I will say no more about them. ;-)

In 1860, Peru acquired a French made "Lecoq" press that could emboss and create imperforate stamps from horizontal strips. The above image is an example. The postmark is from "Jauja". This lovely little colonial town, at 11,200 feet (3,400 meters), had the first cathedral built in South America, and was the provisional capital in 1534.

1866-67 Scott 18 20c brown "Llamas"

What is the first image that springs to mind about Peru? I think of  Llamas. ;-) An engraved three stamp design with that iconic indigenous domestic camelid was produced in 1866-67.

1871 Scott 19 5c scarlet 

"Locomotive and Arms"

This embossed  1871 imperforate (known as the "Trencito") is considered one of the very first commemorative stamps produced. The occasion was the 20th anniversary of the completion of a railroad line between Lima and Callao, the first railroad  in South America.

1876 Scott 25 10c green "Coat of Arms"

Between 1874-84, a nine stamp engraved issue with two motifs ("Sun God of the Incas" and "Coat of Arms") was produced.

The "Coat of Arms" design ( 2,5,10,20 centavo denominations) is also found as a lithographic forgery, created by the infamous Spiro Brothers of Hamburg.

Varro Tyler (Focus on Forgeries -2000) points out the genuine has a long attached tail on the "Q" in FRANQUERO in the genuine, while the forgery has no attached tail.

Embossed with Grill

The 1874-84 issue was also embossed with a grill, which is quite apparent on the stamp back.

1874 Scott 27 20c brown red

Getting back to the Spiro forgeries, here the 20c brown red has a drawing of a  tree in the top right part of the shield. The top of the tree does not touch the line above it in the genuine (One may need to enlarge the stamp to see this). In the forgery, the top of the tree touches the line above it.

1860 Scott 30 1c green

"Sun God of the Incas"

The 1c green "Sun God of the Incas" stamp, prepared in 1880, was not issued without an overprint. (We will see examples of overprinted specimens soon.) But one does find unused specimens in collections, as shown here, and Scott does give the stamp a catalogue number.

The Inca ruler was considered to be the living representative of Inti, the Sun God.

Of interest, the great golden disk representing Inti captured by by the conquistadors in 1571 and sent to the pope has been unfortunately lost.

1880 Scott 33 2c rose, blue overprint

Stamps of 1874-80 overprinted in Red, Blue, or Black

Between 1880-83, the issues were overprinted with "Plata" ( money or silver), "Union Postal Universal", "Peru", and "Lima". I suspect this served for inventory control purposes during the 1879-83 War of the Pacific.

The 1880 six stamp overprinted issue is illustrated here.

1883 Scott 65 1c orange, black overprint

A 1883 seven stamp issue was handstamped as shown in black or blue.

1883 Scott 86 1c green

Black & Black Overprint

This 1883 six stamp issue had the triangle and the horseshoe overprints.

1883 Scott 96 2c vermilion

Overprinted Horseshoe Alone

Another 1883 six stamp issue only had the horseshoe overprint.

1895 Scott 109 5c claret "Llamas"

Without Overprint or Grill

The 1886-95 twelve stamp issue had the same designs as previous issues, but in different colors, and without the grill or overprint. CV is a very modest <$1-$2+.

1894 Scott 124 50c green

"Pres. Remigio Morales Bermudez"

Stamps of 1874-80 Overprinted in Black

The president of Peru between 1890 - 1894 was Remigo Morales Bermudez. He died on April 1, 1894, but an eight stamp set was produced on October 23, 1894 as homage to him by overprinting his image in black.

Of interest, his grandson, Francisco Morales Bermudez, was president of Peru from 1975-1980.

1894 Scott 125 2c vermilion

Additional Overprint of Horseshoe 

Also in 1894, the overprinted image of the recently deceased president was applied to four stamps with the horseshoe overprint applied.

1882 Scott N23 1s ultramarine, red overprint

Stamps of Peru 1874-80, Overprinted

Issued during Chilean Occupation

Between 1881-82, while Chilean troops occupied Lima and Callao, twelve stamps were overprinted in red, blue, or black. Seven of the stamps only had the Chilean overprint, while five stamps also had a black horseshoe overprint (shown).

The CV is <$1-$1+ for eight stamps. Naturally, there are overprint counterfeits, and since you or I probably do not have the expertise to authenticate, buy cheap. ;-)

If one truly wishes to explore further, joining the Peru Philatelic Study Circle would be a good idea.

1884 Scott 3N13 5c blue

Arequipa  Provisional Issue

On Regular Issue of Peru

During the The War of the Pacific (1879-1883) and aftermath, the usual stamp supply to outlying provinces from Lima was not available. Hence, one can find overprinted provisional issues from what was at hand from 14 towns/provinces during this period.

This is more a specialists playground (There are plenty of overprint counterfeits), but the general classic era WW collector may wish some of these fascinating stamps. 

1885 Scott 3N25 5c blue, black overprint

"Rear Admiral M. L. Grau"

Arequipa Provisional

Miguel Grau Seminario was a Peruvian naval officer, and is considered a hero of the War of the Pacific.

He was also well respected by his Chilean adversaries, and he was known as El Caballero de los Mares ("Gentleman of the Seas").

Deep Blue

1916 Issue, 1909 Stamps Surcharged in Red, Green or Violet

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 57 pages, including a space for all the provisional issues. Nice.

1881 Scott 40 5c ultramarine "Coat of Arms"

Stamps of 1874-80 Overprinted in Red or Blue

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on 12 pages, has 314 spaces for the stamp of Peru. Coverage is 50%.

There is only one stamp space that requires a "Most expensive stamp", and that is because of a blank space choice- 1863 (Scott 13) 1p brown ($37+).

Checklist

1862-72
12,14,(13),

1866
16,17,18,

1874-84
21,22,23 or 24,25 or 26,27

1880
32,35,

1881
38,

1883
80, (81),

1883
65,69,(68),(71),88,89,

1883
95,96,

1884
103,

1889
117,117A,

Next Page

1886
104,106,108,110,112,114,115,

1894
118,119,120,121,123,125,126,

1895-96
105,107,109,111,113,

1895
134,(135),

1896-97
141,143,145,146,148,150.

1896-97
151,152,

1897
154,155,156,

1897
157,

1899-1900
142,144,147,149,

Next Page

1901
161,162,163,

1902
164,

1905
165,

1907
166,167,

1907-08
168,169,170,

1907-08
171,172,173,174,175,

1909
177,178,179,180,181,182,183,
184,185,

1916
196,197,198,199,

1916
201,204,205,206,(207),

1917
208,

Next Page

1917-18
209,210,211,212,213,214,215,216,

1917-18
217,218,219,

1921
222,223,

1921
224,227,228,230,225,226,

1920
220,221,

1923-24
232,233,

1924
234,235,

1924
236,237,238,239,240,

1924-29
242,243,
244,245,246,247,248,249,250,

Next Page

1925
252,245A,

1930
272,273,274,275,

1931
283,284,285,286,
287,288,289,

1931-32
293,292,295,296,297,298,299,

1932
300,301,

1932
302,303,304,

1932-34
305 or 306,307,308,309,

Next Page

1932-34
311,312,313,314,315,316,

1932-35
317,318,319,320,323,

1934-36
321,322,339,340,

1935
324,325,328,
326,327,329,330,334,
332,333,

Next Page

1935
336,335,337,

1936
341,

1936
342,343,344,345,
346,347,348,

1936-37
356,357,

1936-37
358,359,362,360,361,
363,364,365,366,

Next Page

1936-37
368,369,367,370,371,

1938
375,378,380,
376,377,379,
382,381,383,384,
385,386,387,

Next Page

Air Post
1928-34
C4,C2,C5,

1935
C6,C7,C8,C9,

1935-37
C10,C13,C30 or C31,
C16,C18,C20,C23,
C26,C28 or C29,C32 or C33,C34 or C35,

Next Page

1936-37
C25,C27,C17,C19,
C21,C22,C24,C27,
C45,C46,C47,C48,
C49,C52,C53,C54,
C50,C51,C62,C63,

Next Page

Postage Due
1874-79
J1,J2,J3,(J4),

1881-84
5c vermilion: J7 or J12 or J18 or J23
10c orange: J8 ot J13 or J19 or J24
1c bistre: J6 or J11 or J16 or J17 or J22

1896-97
J28,J29,J30,J31,

1902
J37,

1909
J40,J41,J42,J43,

Official Stamps
1889
O2,(O3),

1894
O9,O11,O12,O15,O18,

1896
O23,O24,

1901
O25,

1909
O27,O29,

Next Page

Postal Tax
1925-26
RA1,RA2,RA3,
RA6,

1927-28
RA7,RA8,RA9,RA11,

1928
RA13,

1931
RA17,

1932-34
RA19,RA20,

1933-35
RA21,RA22,RA23,

1937-38
RA28, RA29,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1863 (Scott 13) 1p brown ($37+)
B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1889 Scott 116

Overprinted Horseshoe in Black and 

Triangle in Rose Red

Out of the Blue
Peru is one of those countries where I would love to become more familiar with their issues- ah, the siren clarion of specialization is calling. ;-)

Note: maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!

Penrhyn Island

1903 Scott 11 6p rose, Blue Surcharge

On Stamps of New Zealand 

Quick History
Penrhyn Island (Tongareva) is the largest atoll, and the most remote of the 15 Cook Islands. It consists of a 77 km or 48 mile (in diameter) coral ring with elevation no more than 5 meters. The coral ring has a center lagoon.

Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The land area only consists of 2.4 acres, and there were 395 inhabitants in 1926. In 2011, there are only 213 inhabitants.

Penrhyn Island

There are two villages- Omoka, and Te Tautua. The island is named after the landing of the  Lady Penrhyn in 1788, which was part of the convict fleet heading for Australia.

The island was a British Protectorate from 1888-1900, then it was annexed by New Zealand. Stamps were produced between  1902-1929. The stamps of the Cook Islands were used in Penrhyn between 1932-1973.

Of interest, the United States claimed sovereignty over Penrhyn between 1856-1980, under the Guano Islands Act. That claim was never recognized by Britain, New Zealand, or the Cook Islands.

Penrhyn Island is a not uncommon stop for yachts crossing between Panama and New Zealand, as the lagoon provides safe harbor. Black Pearl farming occurs on the island. And the locally produced Rito hats, consisting of Coconut fiber, are also popular.

1917 Scott 18 1 1/2p gray black, red overprint

New Zealand  1915-19 stamps, Overprinted

Into the Deep Blue
The Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue, for Penrhyn Island 1902- 1929, has 30 major numbers. Of those, 5 are CV <$1-$1+, or 17%. Raising the bar to $10, yields 22 stamps (73%). Clearly, the stamps of the Penrhyn Islands are a bit expensive. And obviously, considering the small population, genuine used have a higher CV.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling

1902 Scott 6 1p carmine, Blue Surcharge

On Stamps of New Zealand

Surcharged stamps of New Zealand were issued between 1902-1915. The initial 1902 issue had six stamps, and the surcharges can be found in carmine, vermilion, brown, or blue. The 1p carmine, shown above, has Wmk 61-"N Z and Star Close Together", or Wmk 63- "Double-lined N Z and Star".

(If one wishes to review the watermarks, see the New Zealand post. )

1902 Scott 8 2 1/2p blue, Carmine Surcharge

The 2 1/2p blue "Lake Wakatipu" stamp is found with either a carmine or vermilion colored surcharge.

1903 Scott 10 3p yellow brown, Blue Surcharge

In 1903, three stamps were surcharged, as illustrated by the 3p yellow brown.

1913 Scott 13 1/2p yellow green, carmine Surcharge

Between 1913-15, four New Zealand stamps, showing the Edward (now posthumous)VII visage, were surcharged in carmine, vermilion, and blue.

1920 Scott 17 1/2p yellow green, Red overpint

Between 1917-20, eight 1915-19 George V New Zealand stamps were overprinted in red or dark blue. A dark blue overprint specimen is shown heading the "Big Blue" section.

1920 Scott 25 1/2p emerald & black

"Landing of Captain Cook"

Penrhryn island received their own proper issue with a six stamp production in 1920. The designs, though, are the same as the Cook Islands stamps, save for the "Penrhyn" script and a color change.

Wmk 61- N Z and Star Close Together

Although the 1920 issue is unwatermarked, the 1928-29 two stamp issue (1/2p & 1p)- same in design, but differing in color- shows the Wmk 61.

1920 Scott 30 1sh dull blue & black

"Avarua Harbor"

The scenes and occurrences shown on the stamps are actually of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. But, with a population of only 400 max, Penrhyn Island is lucky to have any stamps at all. ;-)

1927 Scott 31 2 1/2p blue & red brown

"Rarotongan Chief (Te Po)

A nice bi-color engraved 2 1/2p was issued in 1927. The design is found also for Aitutaki and the Cook Islands.

1928-29 Scott 34 1p carmine rose & black

"Avarua Waterfront"

Type of 1920 Issue

In 1928-29, two stamps (the 1/2p and 1p) were issued in slightly different colors, and wmk 61, as mentioned earlier.

Deep Blue

1903 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has two pages for Penrhyn Island, and includes all major number Scott spaces.

1928-29 Scott 33 1/2p yellow green & black

Types of 1920 Issue

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on 1/2 page, has 19 spaces. Coverage is 63%. Considering the somewhat expensive CV for the stamps of the Penrhyn Islands, it is not surprising that four stamps are found with CV $10+-$20+.

The coverage is located on the same page as Price Edward Island, and is between Panama and Papua.

Checklist

1902-03
1 or 5, 2 or 6,, 8 or 9, 10, (11),

1914
13 or 14, 15,

1917-20
17,18,19,21,20,

1920
25,26,27,28,29,30,

1927
31,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1903 Scott 10 3p yellow brown ($10+)
1903 (Scott 11)  6p rose ($10+)
1914 Scott 15 6p carmine rose ($20+)
1920 Scott 30 1sh dull blue & black ($10+)
B) (   ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.

1918 Scott 23 6p carmine rose, Blue overprint

New Zealand 1915-19 stamps, overprinted

Out of the Blue
I suspect only philatelists, Pacific ocean yacht owners, and assiduous National Geographic readers are aware of Penrhyn Island.  ;-)

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Comment?

Paraguay

1879 Scott 10 5r orange 

"Vigilant Lion Supporting Liberty Cap"

Quick History
Landlocked Paraguay is a central South American country where the indigenous Guarani language is still understood or spoken by 95% of the population.

The Capital is Asuncion, and the population was 1,000,000 circa 1940.

Stamps were introduced  in 1870.

But if one wishes to nominate a country that has not received any breaks, it would be Paraguay.

Territory lost (gray area) during the 1864-1870 "Great War"

The little known ( to North Americans) 1864-1870 Paraguayan War against a Triple Alliance of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay lead to 400,000 deaths and complete defeat. 60% of the population of Paraguay died. The Brazilian Army, (as well as the Argentinians), occupied the country for six years after the end of the war in 1870, and carted off the National Archives to Rio de Janeiro. Paraguayans know little of their own early history, because the documents remain unavailable to scholars even today.

Between 1904 and 1954, Paraguay has had 31 presidents, almost all being forcefully removed.

Paraguay obtained some measure of self respect when it defeated Bolivia during the 1932-35 Chaco War. But this war between two of South America's poorest countries was really for naught, as the region was thought rich in oil- and it was not.

 Paraguay

Paraguay is perhaps the most forgotten of the South American countries. And their classical era stamps, in part because of numerous forgeries of early airmail issues, are collected by relatively few. But that presents an opportunity for the WW classical era collector.

Read on...

1892 Scott 43 60 yellow

"Seal of the Treasury"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue, has, for Paraguay 1870-1940, 584 major stamp descriptions. Of those, 533 are CV <$1-$1+, or a remarkable 91%. !!!!!

Clearly, Paraguay is a very inexpensive country for the WW classic era collector. I don't think, though, that the stamps of Paraguay are as easy to find as the CV would suggest.  Yes, they are found, but not abundantly in WW feeder collections. To explain the CV, the demand must be very low, even compared to other South American countries.

As is usual for South American countries, there are too many interesting stamp issues to show for this one blog post. Therefore, I will focus on the earlier issues, and also discuss a few of the air post issues that can be found forged.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
10 Reales = 100 Centavos = 1 Peso

1870 Scott 1 1r rose, Imperf

"Vigilant Lion Supporting Liberty Cap"

Paraguay issued a three stamp imperforated set on August, 1870 with a lithographed ( in Buenos Aires) design featuring a "Vigilant Lion supporting a Liberty Cap". I do like the motif. Although the 1r rose (illustrated ) has a modest CV of $9 unused, the 2r and 3r have CVs in the $100+-$200+ range.

1881 Scott 13 10c blue green, Design A4a, Perf 11 1/2

"Vigilant Lion Supporting Liberty Cap"

Reprint

The "Lion with Sceptre" design was repeated for the 1879 (two stamps- never placed in use) and 1879-81 (two stamps) issues. These are on thin paper, and are perf 12 1/2. The 1879 5r orange is shown at the blog post header. Above is an 1879-81 issue, but a reprint with an 11 1/2 perf.

1881 Scott 16 4c brown, Design A7

"Vigilant Lion Supporting Liberty Cap"

A three stamp issue was released in 1881. These stamps have a remarkable low CV of 70-80 cents for both used/unused 130 years after production.

1884 Scott 22 5c pale blue

"Seal of the Treasury"

A three stamp lithographed A11 design "Seal of the Treasury" set was released in 1884. CV is <$1.

1887 Scott 29 20c pink

"Seal of the Treasury"

Another "Seal of the Treasury" design set - seven stamps in 1887, and four stamps in 1892- was produced. The 1887 set (illustrated above) was lithographed, while the 1892 stamps (An example is shown at the "Into the Deep Blue" header) were typographed.

1893 Scott 37 10c violet blue (punched)

"Candido Bareiro"

An 1893, a 10 stamp issue featured various patriots. Candido Bareiro was President of Paraguay from 1878-1880.

CV for the stamps is <$1.

But this 1893 10c violet blue stamp is commonly found "punched" in collections. And therein lies a tale. No, this is not a telegraph usage, as is often assumed.

The 1840-1940 Classic Scott catalogue states:

"The 10c violet blue was, until 1896, issued  punched with a circular hole in order to prevent it being fraudulently overprinted as 1892 Scott 31" The identical Scott 31 10c violet blue was handstamped in violet "1492/12 De Octubre/1892" and sold only on the day of issue- October 12, 1892. This stamp was handstamped overprinted for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. CV $10/$5.

Look for the punched stamp in your collection. In 1896, the stamp was issued unpunched.

1896 Scott 48 5c on 4c yellow & gray

Telegraph Stamps Surcharged

In 1896, two telegraph stamps were surcharged for use postally. The CV, as most stamps of the era, is <$1.

1900 Scott 51 2c gray "Seal of the Treasury"

1901 Scott 61 2c gray

Small vs Larger Figures

Three issues between 1900-02 can cause confusion (It certainly did for me!) because of the very similar design.

The first and second issue issue (1900- six stamps-engraved; 1901-three stamps-lithographed) have small numerals. 

The third issue (1901-02- eight stamps-lithographed) have larger numerals.

True, some of the stamps have new colors,- and should not cause difficulty-, but other stamps have the same color as illustrated above.

1903 Scott 81 20c carmine

"Sentinel Lion with Right Paw Ready

to Strike for "Peace and Justice""

Two issues with the "Lion ready to strike" design was produced in 1903. The first issue (illustrated) has seven stamps, with a CV of <$1.

1903 Scott 86 5c dark blue

The second 1903 issue also has seven stamps. These Sentinel Lion issues have the script "Paz Y Justica"- Peace and Justice.

1905 Scott 91 1c orange, Dated "1904"

"Sentinel Lion at Rest"

The "1904" (dated) 21 stamp set with the "Lion at Rest" design was actually issued between 1905-1910. All values are CV <$1-$1+, except the 1907 Scott 95 2c olive green @ $60. !!

1936 Scott C42 2p dark brown, Gunboat "Paraguay"

Gunboat Type, Genuine

Built in Italy, but engineered and designed by Paraguayan naval engineer Jose Bozzano, the Gunboats "Humaita" and "Paraguay" were instrumental in controlling the Paraguay River during the Chaco War with Bolivia.

The Air Post 1931-39 eighteen stamp issue featured the Gunboat "Paraguay".

Earlier, I mentioned that the 1930-35 air post issues of Paraguay have been heavily forged: in fact, the forgeries for some issues outnumber the genuine ones. Varro Tyler, in his book "Focus on Forgeries" (2000), has seven pages devoted to the forgeries of the various air post issues.

I show a genuine specimen here, and I will point out two features. (This applies to the entire set C39-C53.)

* The short shading lines located about halfway between the bow of the gunboat and the tail of the far left airplane.

* The tilde over the first "N" of "Canonero".

The Forgeries have neither.

1935 Scott C63 10c ultramarine

"Orange Tree and Yerba Mate"

Genuine

The 1931-36 issue 10 centavo "Orange Tree and Yerba Mate"- found in four colors (C60-C63)- has also been heavily forged. These stamps were lithographed, and even the genuine stamps appear a bit crude. But the forgeries are much cruder. I have a number of examples of the 10c forgery in my collection, more than the genuines.

But above is a genuine example.
* The shading at the base of the orange tree on the left consists of fine lines. (Click on the stamp and enlarge for a better view.)
* The Yerba Mate leaves on the right show fine line detail.
* Perf 12

By the way, the Yerba Mate, first grown by the Guarani, is the source for mate, which mainly has caffeine in it.

"1933 Scott C62 10c yellow brown"

Forgery

Here is an example of the forgery.
* The shading at the base of the tree appears as solid clumps- no individual fine lines.
* The Yerba Mate leaves likewise show no fine line detail.
*  Perf 11 1/2

Check your collection- I can almost almost guarantee that some forgeries will be found.

Deep Blue

Issues of 1908-09 in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 53 pages for 1870-1940 Paraguay, and includes a space for all the major Scott numbers.

1900 Scott 50A 5c on 30c green, gray & black

Telegraph Stamps Surcharged

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on 14 pages, has 357 spaces. Coverage is 61%. Although not bad, the coverage perhaps could have been more generous, considering that 90% of the stamps in the catalogue are CV <$1-$1+.

The air post stamps, however, are generally more expensive. As a result, five air post stamps are found in BB with a CV $10+-$20+. (They are listed in the "comments" section after the checklist.)

Checklist

1879
12,13*,

1881
14,15,16,

1884
20,21,22,

1887
23,24,25,27,28,(29),

1892-96
32,34,35,36,37 or 38, 39,40,

1895-96
46,33,

1896
47,48,

1898-99
49,50,

1900
51,52,53,54,55,56,

Next Page

1901
57,58,59,

1902
60,61,62,63,64,65,(66),

1902-03
69,70,71,72,73,74,76,

1903
77,78,79,80,81,82,83,

1903
84,85,86,87,89,(90),

1904
112,

1904-06
91,94,97,98,99,100,

Next Page

1906
103,106,

1907
92,101,105,107,

1907
129,130,131,135,136,137,138,

1908
141,142,143,93,96,102,
146,147,148,149,150,154,(151),
158,159,162,163,164,165,
174,175,176,177,178,179,

Next Page

1909
181,182,183,184,
185,186,187,188,189,190,

1910
191,192,195,198,199,200,

1911
201,202,203,204,205,206,207,

1913
209,210,211,212,213,214,(215),(216),

1912
208,

1920-21
241,242,243,244,

Next Page

1922-23
245,246,247,248,

1924-27 (Actually 1920-27)
237,253,254,255,256,

1925
260,

1925
257, 258 or 259,

1927-28
271,273,276,280 or 281,

1927-28
286,287,293,294,290 or 291,297,

1930-31
309,310,
311,

Next Page

1930-32
319,313 or 314 or 315,320,
321,323,322,
325,326,
327,328,
330,331,332,333,334,

Next Page

1933
335,336,337,

1935
275,279,

1937
338,339,340,341,342,343,

1937
344,345,

1938-39
346,347,348,

1939
350,354,349,366,367,
368,369,370,371,372,

Next Page

1939
373,355,356,357,
358,359,360,361,
362,363,364,365,

1940
351,352,353,374,375,
376,377,382,383,384,385,
378,379,380,381,386,

Next Page

Semi-Postal
1930-32
B5,
B1,B2,B3,
B4,

Interior Office Issues*
(L11),(L12),(L13),(L14),(L15),(L16),(L17),
(L18),(L19),(L20),(L21),(L22),

Next Page

Air Post
1929 (actually 1929-31)
C7 or C8, C9 or C10, C11 or C12,
C19,C20,C22,C21, C23 or C24,

1930-37
C36,C37,C38,C31,C54,
C56 or C57 or C58 or C59,
C60  or C61 or C62 or C63,
C64  or C65 or C66 or C67,
C68 or C69 or C70,
C71 or C72 or C73,
C39 or C40, C41,C44,
C47,C51,(C40),

Next Page

Air Post
1932
C74,C75,

1933
C57,C61,C65,C72,

1933-35
C79,C80,C81,C58,
C59,C62,C66,C69,C73,
(C88),(C94),(C95*),
C98,C99,C100,

Next Page

Air Post
1939
C110,C111,C112,
C122,
C113,C114,C115,C116,
C124,

1940
C127,C128,C129,C130,

Next Page

Official Stamps
1892
O33,O34,O35,

1901
O42,O43,O44,O45,

1903
O50,O51,O52,O53,O54,O55,

1904
O61,

1905
O58,O62,

1906
O59,O63,O65,

1908
O60,O64,

1914
O85,O86,O87,O88,O89,O90,

Postage Due Stamps
1904
J1,J2,J3,J4,

1914
J5,J6,J7,J8,J9,J10,J11,

Next Page
Official Stamps
1940
O99,O100,O101,O102,
O103,O104,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1931 Scott C54 3p on 4p light blue ($10+)
1935-39 Scott C98 17p light brown ($10+)
1935-39 Scott C99 17p carmine ($20+)
1935-39 Scott C100 17p dark blue ($10+)
1939 Scott C122 28p rose & black ($10)
B) (    ) around a number indicates a blank space choice.
C) *13- BB printing error in space box. Has "10r blue green", when it should be "10c blue green".
D) * Interior Offices Issues- BB provides 12 blank spaces. Twenty-nine stamps could fit in these spaces-all inexpensive. Eight more are excluded because of the space format.
E) *(C95)- C88-C97 are eligible.

1910 Scott 124 10p deep blue 

"Governmental Palace, Asuncion"

Out of the Blue
The further a classical era country's stamps are "popular", the better I like them- because they are cheap. Why don't you pick up some too? ;-)

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

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