Brazil 1843-1879: a closer look

1850 Scott 24 60r black

Into the Deep Blue
Brazil is a challenge for the WW collector.

The main difficulty lies in identifying the seventeen watermarks found during the classical era,  primarily for the 1918-41 definitives. But help is available. For those with an obsessive bent, there is my "Who's afraid of watermarking the 1918-41 series?".

Altogether, there are five blog post links to Brazil, and they are listed under the "Out of the Blue" section below.

But, up to now, I've not actually published a review of the early stamps of Brazil in a general way. Consequently, this post (Brazil 1843-1879) and the next one (Brazil 1881-1889) will cover the field.

And an interesting field it is.

The 2017 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Brazil 1843-1940, 669 major number descriptions (does not include Air Post Semi-Official stamps). Of those, 356 are CV <$1-$1+, or 52%.

Brazil is a major country in South America, and naturally there are expensive CV stamps, primarily during the 1843-1866 era. But, overall, the stamps are not as expensive as one would think. And for the interested philatelist, there are plenty of avenues to explore.

A closer look at the 1853-1879 stamps and issues
1000 Reis = 1 Milreis

1843 Scott 3 90r black

On August 1, 1843, Brazil issued  three engraved postage stamps (30r, 60r, 90r), known then and now as the "Bull's  Eyes" (Olho-de-boi). They were the second country to do so for a stamp issue valid in the entire country, after Great Britain, and the 1840 one penny black & two penny blue.

Like Great Britain, the design has no country name. The extensive lathework pattern was done as a deterrent to forgery.

The stamps were developed by government printers in Rio de Janerio. The long held- and still persistent- belief that London's Perkins, Bacon & Petch, producers of the Penny Black, were the printer for the "Bull's Eyes", is false.

Why did Brazil not picture the sovereign? Apparently, there was concern that cancelling over Dom Pedro's image might appear disrespectful.

The 90 Reis value, reserved for international mail, had 349,182 copies printed. CV for an intact used example (obviously, mine is not) is $1,300.

In contrast the US 1847 10c black "Washington" had 865,000 copies printed, with a CV today of $825. Despite the lesser CV of the US 1847 10c black vs the Brazil 90r "Bull's Eye", one has to pay actually a 50% cost premium for the US stamp, compared to the Brazil stamp, when one factors in the number of copies printed. I think this reflects the supply/demand curve for classic US vs classic Brazil stamps. Considering their scarcity relative to the  US, classic Brazil stamps are not as highly valued.

Naturally, many (all?) of the numeral stamps of Brazil have been forged. Here is the PhilatoForge site from UK that discusses the "Bull's Eye" forgeries.

1844-46 Scott 9 60r black, Thin paper

Between July 1,1844 and October 16, 1846, a seven stamp "slanted numeral" set was issued. This means the "Bull's Eyes" were only used by themselves for one year.

The "slanted numeral" stamps have a CV of $20+ to $100+ for four stamps. The three higher denomination stamps (180r, 300r,  600r) are in the CV$thousands.

The paper can be grayish or yellowish, and the three middle denominations (30r, 60r, 90r,) can be found on thick paper (2X CV).

1850 Scott 28 600r black

Yellowish paper

On January 1, 1850, an eight stamp "upright numeral" black colored set was released.  (Actually, Michel states the 20r black , which usually is found precancelled with a single horizontal line (pen, blue crayon) or a double diagonal line (pen), was issued September, 1849.)

CV is $3 to $100+ for the stamps in the issue. The 30r black & the 60r black are only a modest CV $3+.

The example here is on yellowish paper.

In 1910, the issue (except for the 90r) was reprinted on very thick paper.

1850 Scott 23 30r black

Grayish paper

Here is a 1850 30r black on grayish paper. Neither Scott nor Michel give a separate CV price for yellowish vs grayish paper.

1854 Scott 38 30r blue

1850 design stamps, but colored blue, were issued for the 10r and 30r denominations in 1854.

CV is $10+-$60+.

Of note, two more colored numerals (280r red, 430r yellow) were issued in 1861 (not shown).

CV is $100+.

1866 Scott 44 30r black, Perf 13 1/2
(Note; Michel states 13 1/4 for Perf)

The first perforated issue (Perf 13 1/2) for Brazil was produced in 1866, These eleven perforated stamps have their doppelgangers that were previously issued as imperforate from 1850-1861. The perforated issue was short lived, as Brazil produced their engraved "Emperor Dom Pedro" issue soon after (July 1, 1866).

CV for genuine copies are $100+ - $800+, except the 60r black is CV $30.

In all cases, perforated specimens have a higher to much higher CV than the corresponding imperforate specimen.

And therein lies the problem.

Cert for Brazil 1850 Scott 44 30r black, Perf 13 1/2

Scott states: "Fraudulent perforations abound. Purchases should be accompanied by certificates of authenticity".

1866 Scott 53 10r vermilion, Perf 12

"Emperor Dom Pedro"

On July 1, 1866 an engraved seven stamp set featuring two portraits of Emperor Dom Pedro was released. The issue was perforated 12, and the usual stamps can be found on thick or thin white wove paper. (Bluish paper commands a premium.)

Alert: Make sure, for the 1866 issue, you are identifying stamps that are perforated (Perf 12). The identical in design 1876-77 issue is rouletted!

1866 Scott 54 20r red lilac, Perf 12

"Emperor Dom Pedro"

The 20r shows the second portrait used for Emperor Dom Pedro. This design was also used for the 200r black.

CV for the seven stamps in the Perf 12 issue ranges from $1+ to $30+.

Of interest, both Scott and Michel list two shades for the 20r: "red lilac' & "dull violet". That is the end of shade listings in Michel for the issue. But Scott additionally lists shade varieties for the 10r (vermilion, carmine vermilion), 80r (slate violet, rose lilac), and 100r (blue green, green).

1866 Scott 58a 100r green "Emperor Dom Pedro"

Type I

Scott also details three types of 100r stamps, while Michel is silent.

The Type I stamp (minor number) is found in a green color.

1866 Scott 58a 100r green 

Left outer frame close-up: Type I

Type I is characterized by a left frame line weak and incomplete, and composed of a single line which never touches the upper ornaments.

1866 Scott 58 100r blue green

Type III

The Type III stamp (major number) has a blue green color.

1866 Scott 58 100r blue green

Left outer frame close-up: Type III

Type III has a left frameline that is complete, and composed of two continuous outer lines which meet the upper ornaments.

Type II (minor number- not shown) has a left frameline that is incomplete, but has a double outer line that does not touch the upper ornament.

1877 Scott 66 200r black "Emperor Dom Pedro"

Rouletted

The Perf 12 1866 issue stamps were replaced by rouletted versions in 1876-77.

Let me comment about the 200r black "Dom Pedro". I clearly recall that gorgeously engraved 200r black in my Father's stamp album. That memory, at least in part, lit the fuse for WW collecting as an adult.

1876 Scott 67 500r orange

Rouletted

CV for the seven stamp 1876-77 rouletted issue ranges from $1+ to $40+.

1878-79 Scott 69 20r violet 

"Emperor Dom Pedro" ; Rouletted

Between 1878-79, another engraved rouletted "Dom Pedro" issue was released. For the 20r value, the same portrait, as used on the 1866-77 issues, was utilized. The frame design was new.

Scott lists three shades (one major-violet, two minor-dark violet, rose lilac) for the 20 reis stamp.

1878-79 Scott 74 260r dark brown

"Emperor Dom Pedro"; Rouletted

Of the 1878-79 rouletted ten stamp issue, nine of the stamps used this new portrait of Dom Pedro with a distinguished silver white full beard.

1878-79 Scott 76 700r red brown

Rouletted

CV ranges from $1+ for the 100r green to $100 for the 700r red brown.

Note, if this stamp was on cover, the CV would be listed as $3,000+. !! If I could go back in time, I would never soak off classic era stamps from their covers, but keep them intact!

1878-79 Scott 77 1000r gray lilac

I wonder why catalogues, not infrequently, do not agree on issue release dates?

Scott, as I've labeled this issue, has "1878-79" as the release dates, but no further information. Michel lists August 10, 1877 ( 10r, 20r, 50r, 100r, 200r, 260r) and October 4, 1878 (80r, 300r, 700r, 1000r) as the dates of issue. Here, Michel is more specific. Does that mean they are more correct? Not necessarily. But they do give more cause to believe them.

1878 Scott 78 300r orange & green

"Emperor Dom Pedro"; Perf 12

Finally, an engraved bi-color  300r orange & green "Dom Pedro" stamp, perforated 12, was issued August 21, 1878. (Scott and Michel agree on the release date.)

CV is $20+.

Emperor Pedro II of Brazil 1887, Age 61

A little something about Dom Pedro II - 

He was the only legitimate male child to survive infancy of Pedro I, who reigned from 1822 to 1831 (abdication). 

He was Emperor for 58 years between 1831 (age 5!) (Coronation 1841) and November 15, 1889. 

But the monarchy was abolished with the establishment of the First Brazilian Republic (President Deodoro de Fonesca). He was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil. 

He died on December 5, 1891 at the age of 66 in Paris, France.

But during his tenure, he provided political stability for Portuguese speaking Brazil (unlike the Spanish speaking Hispanic neighbor countries), developed a robust representative parliamentary monarchy, abolished slavery, expanded civil rights, and insured freedom of speech.

The 6 foot 3 inch tall Monarch was known as "the Magnanimous".

His legacy lives on, and  he is considered one of the greatest Brazilians.

Deep Blue

1844-46 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has 53 pages for the 1843-1940 stamps of Brazil. All of the Scott major numbers have a space.

1866 Scott 56 50r blue "Emperor Dom Pedro"

Out of the Blue

Enlightened rulers can make a difference. 

Note:Scan picture of Emperor Pedro II appears to be in the public domain.

Links
Brazil & BB Checklist
The "Orphan" 1920-41 Definitives of Brazil
Who's afraid of watermarking the Brazil 1918-41 series?
A Fournier surprise - Brazil 1889 Postage Due
Brazil -  Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!

German South West Africa - Bud's Big Blue

Lucky Hereros escaped execution through the desert

Into the Deep Blue
Bud's Observations

Many of Big Blue’s stamps have blood stains, none more so than those of German South West Africa. 

Between 1904 and 1907, the German Empire almost completely exterminated the Herero and Nama people, leaving those who remained to starve in the Namib desert or interning them in concentration camps where they died. It was the 20^thcentury’s first genocide. Sadly, many followed.

The “Herero Uprising” generated a grisly body of collectable military correspondence and postal history, much of it graphic and nearly all of it from the German point of view. Feldpost covers abound. 

The stamps themselves are unremarkable, consisting of overprinted numerals and German eagles, followed by the Kaiser’s yacht Hohenzollern -- standard for German colonies.

Census: 13 in BB spaces, 6 tipped-in.

Jim's Observations
Bud's comment and header illustration reveals the dark side - Man's inhumanity to man.

Man was made to mourn: A Dirge
Robert Burns 1784

Many and sharp the num'rous ills
Inwoven with our frame!
More pointed still we make yourselves
Regret, remorse and shame!
And man, whose heav'n-erected face
The smiles of love adorn, -
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!

German South West Africa Post & BB Checklist

Page 1

Comments appreciated!

Bosnia & Herzegovina Pt B - a closer look

1910 Scott 58 50h dull violet "Postal Car"

Birthday Jubilee Issue Emperor Franz Josef

Into the Deep Blue
Austrian designed Bosnia & Herzegovina stamps are delightful, even if the pictorials are a little heavy on the arabesque frames. This is a continuation (Part B) of a review of B&H stamps during the classical era (1879-1918) until its absorption into Yugoslavia.

Bosnia & Herzegovina Pt A - a closer look
Bosnia & Herzegovina & BB Checklist

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Heller = 1 Krone (1900)

1910 Scott 54 30h green "Donkey Post"

Birthday Jubilee Issue Emperor Franz Josef

The thirteen stamp 1910 engraved  "Birthday Jubilee Issue" for the 80th birthday of Emperor Franz Josef, was quite similar in appearance (in color and pictorials) as the 1906 issue, except a "1810-1930" label is found at the bottom.

Since the 1906 issue was a highlight for B&H issues, a repeat is certainly not minded. ;-)

But, unlike the 1906 issue, one doesn't need to be aware of various perforations (if that is your thing), as only Perf 12 11/2 was used.

CV ranges from <$1 to $10+.

1912 Scott 64 72h carmine "Vishegrad"

Scenic Type of 1906

In 1912, three additional denominations and scenes were released in the style of the 1906 issue.

Vishegrad is in the eastern part of the country at the confluence of the Drina and Rzav river.

Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic Bridge on the River Drina

The bridge,  built between 1571 and 1577, fortunately still exists, unlike the historic bridge at Mostar, which was destroyed in 1993 during the civil war. (See the "Out of the Blue" section header with the 1910 20h dark brown stamp depicting the "Old Bridge Mostar".)

1912-14 Emperor Franz Josef Issue

Scott 80 72h dark blue

Between 1912-14, a twenty-one stamp engraved issue was released. All the stamps show the Austrian Emperor. There are four frame designs, and two portraits used.

Note these are Military Post stamps.

CV is <$1-$20 for twenty stamps.

1912-14 Scott 82 2k dark gray/blue

"Emperor Franz Josef"

The higher denominations are on colored paper, and in larger format. The 2k and the 10k stamps have this design.

1916-17 Scott 103 4k carmine/green

"Emperor Franz Josef"

Then in 1916-17, another designed Military Post set was released showing the Emperor. The set consisted of eighteen engraved stamps, and two designs.

Franz Josef died on November 21, 1916.

1917 Scott 120 3k green/blue

"Emperor Karl I"

Franz Josef was succeeded by his grandnephew Charles I. That state of affairs did not last long. With the defeat of the Empire on November 11, 1918, Charles I proved to be the last reigning monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

An eighteen stamp engraved set was released in 1917 depicting the new emperor.

CV is <$1-$20+.

I should mention there is also a fourteen stamp set showing Charles I, but never released in B&H because of the defeat of the Empire. However, the stamps were available for a few days at the Vienna Post Office after the Armistice in 1918. They are listed in the catalogue only as unused, and most at CV $10+. (I don't have any.)

1918 Scott 126 2h violet "View of Mostar"

Overprinted in Red

In 1918, the prior issued stamps ( the Scott 47 2h violet & the Scott 66 2h bright blue) were overprinted "1918" in red.

CV is $1+.

1914 Scott B2 12h on 10h carmine "Vrbas Valley"

Looking at semi-postals, in 1914, the 1906 issue Scott 33 5h dark green & Scott 35 10h carmine were surcharged in red.

CV is <$1 for the major numbers.

Vrbus River and Valley

The 146 mile long (235 km) Vrbus river is located in western Bosnia & Herzegovina, and is a right tributary of the Sava river. This is a scene near Banja Luka, the major city on the Vrbus.

"4" in "1914" OP is Type I

Of interest, the "4" of the red overprint "1914" comes in three types. I have two of them in my collection.

This is a close-up of Type I.

1914 Scott B1a 7h on 5h dark green 

"Narenta Pass and Prenj River"

Here is the 5h dark green which shows the Type II overprint.

"4"  in "1914" OP is Type II

A close-up of the "4" Type II.  The CV for this stamp is $3.

1915 Scott B6c 12h on 10h rose carmine "Franz Josef"

Blue Surcharge; Type III

In 1915, the 1912-14 issue Scott 68 5h green and Scott 70 10h rose carmine were surcharged in red or blue.

CV is <$1-$1+ for the major numbers.

But there is an interesting complication: the overprint is found in four types, depending on the length of the surcharge lines.

Type I: Date-18 mm; Denomination 14 mm
Type II: Date- 16 mm; Denomination 14 mm

Type III: Date- 18 mm; Denomination 16 mm

Type IV: Date- 16 mm; Denomination 16 mm

Some of the types have a CV up to $20+.

Turns out my example is a Type III (CV $1+ unused, $4+ used).

1918 Scott B20 40h violet 

"Emperor Karl I"

In 1918 a three stamp semi-postal was released, with each stamp sold at a 10h premium intended for "Karl's Fund". Note there was a similar three stamp semi-postal issue released for Austria, but labeled "Feldpost".

1904 Postage Due Scott J13 200h black, red & green

In 1904, a thirteen stamp postage due issue was printed for B&H. Major numbers in Scott have perf 12/1/2, but there are also seven more groupings (minor numbers) with various perfs in the catalogue.

The major number CV is <$1-$3, while the minor number (different perfs) CV can range up to $60+.

1916-18 Scott J26 3k dark blue

Between 1916-18, a new postage due set was released, consisting of thirteen stamps. Most of the stamps are red, but the higher values (illustrated here) are in blue.

CV ranges from <$1 to $30.

1916 Special Delivery Scott QE1 2h vermilion "Lightning"

Finally, a neat engraved "Lightning" (with Mercury depicted also) two stamp issue for special handling was released in 1916. CV is a very modest <$1.

Deep Blue

1916-17 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has fourteen pages for the 1879-1918 stamps of B&H. And, as mentioned in Part A, all the Scott major numbers have a space.

1910 Scott 52 20h dark brown

"Old Bridge Mostar"

Birthday Jubilee Issue Emperor Franz Josef

Out of the Blue

So completes a close up review of B&H stamps.

Regretfully, I didn't say much about the accompanying history. For a historical  review of the occupation by the Austro Hungarian Empire during 1898-1908, check out the Dead Countries Stamps entry. Thanks Michael!

Note: pics of the bridge at Vishegrad, and the Vrbus river appears to be in the public domain.

Links

Bosnia & Herzegovina - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!

German New Guinea - Bud's Big Blue

"The South Seas are the Mediterranean of the Future"

Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Observations

Germans were late entrants in the colonial land-grab race. While other European nations were claiming vast territories, Germany busied itself with German unification. Even in the 1880s Bismarck was engrossed with Europe and social reform, not Africa or the South Pacific. The above cartoon shows a contented Bismarck, his smoke blinding him to what’s happening south of the equator -- namely, representatives of other nations grabbing land. The caption reads “The South Seas are the Mediterranean of the Future.”

Procolonial interests eventually compelled the reluctant Bismarck to suit up and protect German shipping and trading. During 1884, the year the cartoon was published, Germany’s privately administered colonies, including New Guinea, hatched rapidly.  Annexation by the German Empire followed when private arrangements failed.

German stamps with numerals and eagles were overprinted for use while the private German New Guinea Company held authority. The yacht stamps appeared after the German Empire took over, the Company having fizzled in 1899.

Authentic cancels are costly. The Stephansort cancel (8 March 1902, below) was struck at a trading post for German investors in the Bismarck Archipelago. Like Bismarck himself, Stephansort no longer exists, but the Archipelago ironically still bears his name.

Some yacht stamps are said to be forgeries, their identifying feature being connected serifs on the word “Guinea.” Fake “G.R.I.” overprints are common on British Occupation issues, but BB has no spaces for these. So far as I know, none on these scans are fakes.

Cartoon credit: Wilhelm Scholz, caricaturist. “Die Südsee ist das Mittelmeer der Zukunft,” Kladderadatsch, 13 July 1884, page 128.

Census: 14 in BB spaces, three tip-ins.

Jim's Observations

Big Blue,'69, on two lines of one page, provides four spaces for the 1897 issue, and ten spaces for the 1900 (actually 1901) issue. Coverage is 61%. A nice representative selection, marred only by no room for the 1914-19 issue. (One could stuff them into the spaces reserved for the "1900" issue, but that is a stretch.)

There are no "expensive" stamps, although the 1897 issue has three stamps in the $8-$9+ range.

German New Guinea Blog Post and BB Checklist

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Comments appreciated!

Bosnia & Herzegovina Pt A - a closer look

1916 Scott B9 5h (+2h) green

"Wounded Soldier"

Into the Deep Blue
Bosnia & Herzegovina, first occupied (1879-1908), then absorbed as provinces of Austria-Hungary (1908-1918), was at the epicenter of the onset of WW I with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria at Sarajevo.

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1878

For more on the history, and the BB checklist, go to the original blog post.

For a nice overall map of the Austro- Hungarian Empire up to 1918, check out  Stamp World History.

This blog post (and the next) will take a closer look at the 1879-1918 stamp issues of Bosnia & Herzegovina, all bearing a close design relationship with those of Austria-Hungary.

The 2017 Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Bosnia & Herzegovina 1879-1918, 193 major number descriptions. Of those, 122 are CV <$1-$1+, or 63%. The earlier issues, of course, tend to be more expensive. Some of the later issues have a higher CV used than unused.

If you like perforation varieties, you will love B&H, because the earlier issues (1879-1906) have multiple minor number perforation varieties. My understanding is many of these perf varieties were manufactured for the philatelic trade. For me, then,, I find myself not really interested in pursuing  B&H perf varieties.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Novcica (Neukreuzer) = 1 Florin (Gulden)
100 Heller = 1  Krone (1900)

1879 Scott 6 5n rose red "Coat of Arms"

Lithographed; Type I; Perf 12 1/4

The first 1879-1898 design issue, depicting the Habsburg "Coat of Arms" for B&H, is a specialist's delight.

Note the stamp has no country text identification.

It was printed both lithographed and typographed.

It can be found with Perf 9 to 13 1/2 and Compound. The Michel Klassik Europa 1840-1900 lists 12 perf varieties for Type I. And for compound - 36 variations!

It can be found with Type I, Type II, & Type III design variations.

Scott gives the 1879-94 Type I* issue ( nine stamps) major numbers.

(*Note: the 1/2n doesn't exist as Type I: it is always Type II. )

The 1894-98 Type II issue (nine stamps) and the 1898 Type III 5n stamp are given minor numbers.

Surprisingly, the Scott Austria Specialty album only has one denomination space for the 1879-1898 B&H issue.. No breakdown by types. Terrible!

Meanwhile, Scott, for U.S. has the 1851-57 1c blue "Franklin" with types I, Ib, 1a, 1c, II, III, IIIa, IV, ALL with major numbers! Overkill for the U.S., and nothing for Bosnia & Herzegovina (Austria). !!

Fortunately, Deep Blue (Steiner) provides spaces for the types for this issue.

Type I Close-up

The three heraldic eaglets on the right escutcheon are blank

The eye of the lion is indicated by a very small dot (or no dot at all)

For the WW collector, a 10x loupe examination should be sufficient to differentiate types.

Note, for the nine stamp lithographic 1879-1894 issue, the center shield area of the "Coat of Arms" holds the clues for type I stamps. The three "eaglets" along the right side of the shield are blank inside. And the "eye" of the lion is marked by a small dot (or no dot at all).

Admittedly, there seems to not be a lot of good information (in English) on this issue. I noted, while checking the 'Bay, that there were multiple examples of type II stamps being sold as type I.

CV for the lithographic 1879-94 issue (Type I, except litho 1/2n is Type II) is <$1-$10+.

1894 Scott 7a 10n blue "Coat of Arms"

Typographed; Type II; Perf 10 1/2

Between 1894-1898, a nine stamp "Coat of Arms" issue was produced, using typography. These stamps also differ in design, being Type II. They can be founded perforated from 10 1/2 to 13 and compound.

And yet, despite the fact that this 1894-98 issue differs in design (Type II) and printing (typographed), they only have minor numbers in Scott ( 1a-10a). !!

Note one can get a clue that the above stamp was typographed, as the corners of the frame show a squeezing out of the ink.

CV for the typographic 1894-98 Type II issue is <$1-$10+.

Type II close-up

The three heraldic eaglets on the right escutcheon show a colored line

across the lowest eaglet, and sometimes on the middle eaglet

The eye of the lion is represented by a large dot that touches the head outline above it

Type IIs, when one knows what to look for, are fairly easy to determine.

The "eaglets" show a colored line in the lowest eaglet, and sometimes in the middle eaglet.

The "eye" of the lion is represented by a large dot, which touches the head outline above it.

1894 Scott 1a 1/2n black "Coat of Arms"

This stamp is typographed; Type II; Perf 10 1/2

(1/2n black stamps are only found as Type II: either 

(1st) printing lithographed (sub-type G), or (2nd) printing typographed ( sub-type H)

The 1/2n black represents a special case, as it was only produced as Type II.

One must then determine if the stamps was printed by lithography (1879-94 issue) or by typography (1894-98 issue).

Note here in the above example that the corner frames are squeezed out - probably typographed.

Type II close-up

The three heraldic eaglets on the right escutcheon show a colored line

across the lowest eaglet, and sometimes on the middle eaglet

The eye of the lion is represented by a large dot that touches the head outline above it

Note this stamp has the markings of a Type II: a line noted in the lower eaglet, and a large dot attached to the upper head outline for the "eye" of the lion.

But since all 1/2n stamps are Type II, this doesn't help much. ;-)

1/2 Novcica

There is a black dot on either side between the curved ends of the 

ornaments near the lower spandrels

Sub-type H: The dots stand clear of the curved lines - specifically the right dot, and 

stamps of this (2nd) printing are typographed

But fortunately, there is an additional sign to determine if the 1/2n black is a member of the 1879-94 lithographed issue (has the "G" sign), or a member of the 1894-98 typographed issue (has the "H" sign).

The "H" sign (illustrated here) has the right dot standing clear of the curved lines.

In contrast, for the "G" sign, the right dot would be attached to the curved line above.

1898 Scott 6b 5n rose red Type III; Perf 12 3/4

The eaglets and the eye of the lion are similar to Type I

The large eagle's feathers have two lines of shading

There is also a Type III, found only for the 5n rose red, and issued  in 1898.

Note this example has an 1898 cancel.

The large eagles's feathers also look different: cruder, with little cross hatching in the feathers ( compare with other examples shown for this blog post).

I believe this is a probable Type III, although, with the very crude large eagle feathers, I did entertain the notion if this stamp could be a forgery.

Type III is also supposed to have the same characteristics as Type I in the shield, and this stamp appears to have that.

The lowest feather does not touch the line below it

Another characteristic of Type III is the lowest feather of the large eagle does not touch the line below it. In this case, it does not. In contrast, in both Type I and Type II stamps, the lowest feather of the large eagle does touch the line below it.

CV for 1898 Scott 6b 5c rose red (Type III) is <$1.

1911 Reprint: lighter colors; very white paper; Perf 12 1/2

"Scott 5a 3n green"

Typographed; Characteristics of Type II

Another complication for the 1894-98 Type II stamps:  Typographic reprints issued in 1911!

The reprints are quite ubiquitous in feeder albums (CV for the nine stamp set: $30+).

They are on very white paper.

They were printed in lighter colors.

If one isn't sure if one has a reprint- check the perfs: they are always 12 1/2.

Reprint has Type II characteristics

And the reprints always have characteristics of Type II: a colored line within the lowest eaglet and sometimes the middle eaglet, and a large dot for the "eye" of the lion.

This doesn't exhaust the varieties for the 1879-98 "Coat of Arms" issue: there are differences in the numerals for "2", "3","10", "15". Check the Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue, or better yet, a Michel Specialized, or an Austrian Specialized catalogue.

1900 Scott 11 1h gray black, Perf 12 1/2

New design; New denominations; Typographed

In 1900, there was a change in denomination to Heller/Krone, and consequently, a new "Coat of Arms" fourteen stamp issue was released, eleven which had the above design.

This issue wasn't as complicated as the preceding issue (no "types"), but can be found with Perf 10 1/2, 12 1/2, and compound. It also exists with ribbed paper.

CV is <$1-$10+.

1911 Reprint: "Scott 17 20h rose", Perf 10 1/2

Scott 17 (20h), Scott  19 (30h), Scott 20 (40h) were reprinted in 1911

Lighter colors, very white paper

Three of the stamps (20h, 30h, 40h) were reprinted in 1911 with lighter colors and on very white paper. The 20h and 30h are Perf 10 1/2, while the 40h is Perf 12 1/2 for the reprints.

The reprints have a CV of $5, which is less than the original stamps (CV $10+). For myself, I only have reprints of these stamps.

1900 Scott 22 1k dark rose "Coat of Arms'

The three higher denominations for the 1900 issue are in a larger format with the illustrated design.

CV is <$1-$3+.

1901 Scott 27 35h blue "Coat of Arms"

Numerals in Black, Perf 12 1/2

Between 1901-04, five stamps were added with the "Coat of Arms" motif, but with the numerals in black.

CV is <$1-$1.

1906 Scott 44 2k gray green "St. Luke's Campanile"

Engraved; Perf 12 1/2

On November 1, 1906, an iconic (with collectors) sixteen stamp engraved pictorial set was released.

The entire 1906 pictorial set is shown below under the "Deep Blue" section.

In Scott, the Perf 12 1/2 stamps are given major numbers.

CV is <$1-$8.

1906 Scott 40a 40h orange red "Mail Wagon"

Perf 9 1/4

The 1906 issue is famous (infamous?) for the variety of perfs one can find. As I mentioned earlier, many of these perf combinations were apparently "philatelically inspired".

Scott lists twelve (minor number) groupings in their catalogue with a certain defined perforation. All are given a CV (often high), so obviously there is demand. In total, there are some 178 minor numbers listed.

Although, I'm not into actively collecting perf variations for this issue, I do have a quadrilled page with various perf examples harvested from feeder albums.

1906 Scott 45 5k dull blue 

"Emperor Franz Josef'

"Demonetized" 1906 Issue

I have in the collection about ten stamps from the 1906 issue that are doubly hole punched. It turns out these are examples of the 1906 issue that were "demonetized' in 1912.

1916 Scott B10 2h (+2h) magenta 

"Blind Soldier"

Turning to some interesting semi-postals, there was a two stamp set issued on March 1, 1916 showing a blind soldier (illustrated above), and a wounded soldier (see the "Out of the Blue" header for the 1918 issue version).

If one ponders the scene, and the implications for that soldier (and his family), it is a profoundly moving and sobering reality depicted on the stamp

CV is <$1..

1913 Scott P1 2h ultramarine "Bosnian Girl'

Typographed Imperforate

The four stamp imperforate 1913 Newspaper stamp issue "Bosnian Girl" is lovely indeed.

CV is <$1-$3+.

But many of us may not see this detailed portrait. Why?

"1913 Scott P4 20h green"

Lithographed Forgery

Because of the very common forgeries found for this issue! Apparently made for the packet trade in Italy, Varro Tyler estimates that the forgeries outnumber genuine stamps in collections by about 5:1.

Note the overall blurry appearance. There is also a horizontal line found jutting out into the thin white space surrounding the portrait across from the left "20" numeral: characteristic for the forgery.

Yugoslavia 1918 Scott 1L19 10h rose "Bosnian Girl'

Typrographed; Perf  11 1/2

Be aware that the B&H 1913 Newspaper imperforate stamp set was subsequently perforated, and used as regular postage by Yugoslavia in 1918. Also be aware that the B&H imperforate "Bosnian Girl" forgeries were subsequently perforated, and passed off as these Yugoslavian stamps.

Deep Blue

1906 Issue in Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has fourteen pages for the 1879-1918 stamps of Bosnia & Herzegovina. All of the major Scott numbers have a space. In addition, the Steiner provides spaces for the Type I (major number), & Type II - Type III (minor number) stamps for the 1879-1898 "Coat of Arms" issue.

One will, no doubt, need to add a quadrilled page for the 1911 reprints of the 1894-98 & 1900 "Coat of Arms" issues. And additional quadrilled pages may be needed for the many perf variations (minor numbers) found among the 1879-1906 issues.

1918 Scott B17 15h (+10h) red brown 

"Wounded Soldier"

Out of the Blue
The 1879-1898 "Coat of Arms" stamps, with three design types, reprints, and multiple perf variations, would be a fascinating issue to study further.

There is more to come on B&H stamps in the next post. !!

Note: 1878 B&H map scan appears to be in the public domain.

Links
Bosnia & Herzegovina - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!