Filling Deep Blue: St. P&M, Samoa, Somaliland, Japan additions

1891 Scott 45 4c on 40c red/straw

Stamps of French Colonies surcharged in Black

Into the Deep Blue
Additions to a collection are always intriguing to look at.

What did I pick up recently? Read on...

St. Pierre & Miquelon Additions
100 Centimes = 1 Franc

1891 Scott 21a 2c brown/buff

Inverted Overprint

Stamps of French Colonies overprinted in Black or Red

St. Pierre & Miquelon, off the coast of eastern Canada, and (now) part of France, has left a complicated (and expensive) legacy of early issues. The stamps of 1885-1891 (35 major numbers) are all handstamped, surcharged, or overprinted, and there were plenty of overprint variations that have entered the catalogue (see above).

Naturally, this is the playground of the well-heeled specialist. I am not that, but it doesn't mean I couldn't pick up a few examples.

There is a dealer in Oregon who has a nice selection of these stamps, and one Saturday in March of this year, I spent several pleasant hours in his shop (real brick & mortar!).

Saint Pierre & Miquelon

From StampWorldHistory (By Permission)

The original post (& BB checklist) is here.

1891 Scott 23 4c claret/lavender

Stamps of French Colonies overprinted in Black or Red

The 1891 issue of seventeen stamps consisting of stamps of French Colonies overprinted in black or red are moderately expensive to expensive (CV $10+-$400). There are many varieties of mislettering on the overprint that can be found (CV 2-3X). This example, though, appears normal.

1891 Scott 25 5c green/greenish

Stamps of French Colonies overprinted in Black or Red

An example where the printing placement on the stamp causes some overlap (upper left).

I read somewhere that there was some shenanigans involved with all the availability of misprinted overprint stamps to the philatelic trade. Seems to not have harmed the CV though. 

1891-92 Issue

Stamps of French Colonies Surcharged in Black

The 1891-92 issue (ten stamps) are from stamps of the 1891 overprinted issue, and an additional surcharge was applied in black. The header stamp for this post is from this surcharged issue. CV ranges from a modest $10+ to $20+. Again lots of variations known (double-triple surcharges, missing letters).

1892 Scott 47 2c on 5c green/greenish

French Colonies 1881-86 Stamps Surcharged in Black

In 1892, the 5c green/greenish and the 25c black/rose were each surcharged with 1c, 2c, or 4c (total six stamp issue). CV is $10+. 

1906 Scott 73 35c black/yellow 

"Navigation & Commerce'

1892-1908 Issue

The familiar "Navigation & Commerce" colony stamps naturally are found for St. P&M. CV ranges from $1+ to $60+.

Samoa Additions

12 Pence = 1 Shilling

20 Shillings = 1 Pound

Express Issue - 2p Reprint

A local dealer had me look over a grouping of Samoa "1877-1882 Express Issue" stamps: I suppose in the hope that I would find a genuine. As usual, I found reprints and forgeries. In fact, I can't think of an issue where the dross to the gold ratio is more skewed: 90% reprints: 9% forgeries: 1% genuine.

For more background on this issue, see my original Samoa 1877-1899 & Forgeries post.

This poorly printed two pence example is either a Type IV (1882 2p lilac rose) or a reprint. Both have a spot of color below the "M". The reprints usually are perforated on all sides - this one obviously not. The Type IV is distinguished by the color of the stamp (lilac rose).

By the way, the 2p denomination only exists "unused", as it was never placed in use (Samoa Express service discontinued late 1891).

Note "Dot" below "M" on curved line

As one can see, the "Dot" indicates either a Type IV or a reprint. 

So is this stamp a reprint or Type IV (CV $25)? Frankly, I don't know. Because it is poorly printed, and much more likely, I am labeling this a reprint until proven otherwise.

Express Issue -2p Fournier Forgery

I picked up another example of a Two Pence, but this is clearly a Fournier forgery.

From my previous post blog on Samoa...

"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.

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."

Express Issue - 9p Reprint

Here is another example where one has to make the best (probable) guess. This could be a Type IV, a reprint, or a Fournier forgery. The colored pearl dot below the white line on which the "X" rests is not complete or surrounded by white, which suggests Fournier, but I also see a dot below the "M" (not seen with Fournier).

Nine Pence Close-up

Note "Dot" below "M" on curved line

I think then that this is a reprint most likely. I would need to send this in for expert analysis if I thought Type IV (CV $75).

Express Issue - 2s Reprint

Also picked up a Two Shillings denomination -probably a reprint.

Two Shillings close-up

Note "Dot" below "M" on curved line

Note the dot on the curved line. The 2s denomination is not found as Type IV, so this must be a reprint.

1896 Scott 15 2 1/2p black, Perf 10 X 11

"King Malietoa Laupepa"

Wmk 62 "N Z and Star Wide Apart" 

I love it when an unassuming mixture of stamps (this time Samoa) yields something I don't have. Sure enough, I found this CV $1+ 1/2p black. Be sure to check the watermark (3 types) and perfs (See this blog post for details). A Perf 11 stamp would be worth CV $100.

1900 Scott 18g 1sh carmine "Palms"

O.K., if this is "carmine", it is a minor number with a CV of $1+. The Scott major number (18f 1sh rose) has a CV of $10. This looks "carmine" to me. There are plenty of shade variations to sort through for the "Palms" stamps.

1895 Scott 23a 5p vermilion "Flag Design"

Perf 11

The first "Flag Design" typographic stamp was released in 1894 (major number) with Perf 11 1/2 X 12 (CV $10). This example, however, is a Perf 11 1895 release (minor number) with a CV of $20. Pays to check perfs. ;-)

1899 Scott 33a 2p deep ochre 

Stamps of 1886-99 Overprinted in Red or Blue

Color.

I had the major number 2p "bright orange". I think, though, this example is the minor number "deep ochre". Both are CV $2.

Somaliland Protectorate Additions

16 Annas = 1 Rupee

100 Cents = 1 Shilling (1951)

1938 Somaliland Protectorate Issue

Although I put my stamps into Deep Blue (Steiner pages), I'm always on the lookout to add to my virtual Big Blue collection in which I have 30,000+ spaces filled out of 34,000+ total spaces. All nine of these stamps are in Big Blue, and hence I added them from an internet sale site.

1938 Scott 92 1r green 

"Map of Somaliland Protectorate"

It is always instructive to show a map stamp, especially for an obscure classical era territory.

The original Somaliland Protectorate (British Somaliland) blog post is here.

1938 Scott 87 3a ultramarine

"Blackhead Sheep"

The 1938 Issue can be confused with the 1942 issue. What is the difference?

1938 Scott 90 8a gray black

"Greater Kudu"

The key to identifying the 1938 issue is George VI's head: his gaze is looking to his right.

1942 Scott 102 8a gray

"Greater Kudu"

The 1942 issue (twelve stamps) has George VI's gaze more straight ahead (although he still isn't looking at us- why should he?..He is King!).

Japan Additions

100 Mon = 10 Sen

100 Sen = 1 Yen (or En)

10 Rin = 1 Sen

Japan's early stamps, the 1871 issue "Pair of Dragons Facing Characters of Value", the 1872 issue "Dragons and Denomination", and the 1872-73 & 1874-75 issues "Cherry Blossom" are an absolute nightmare for the WW collector because of numerous and excellent forgeries. Do not even consider collecting these stamps without specialty literature on forgeries.

I have the International Society for Japanese Philately monographs on The WADA Cherry Blossom Forgeries (1974- Tyler & Montgomery), The Koban Forgeries of Japan (1979- Wilhelmsen & Tyler), and the SPA handbook Characteristics of Genuine Japanese Stamps Cherry Blossom Issues of 1972-1876 (Varro Tyler).

Frankly, these monographs have been superseded by The International Society for Japanese Philately Forgery CD (All known forgeries up to 2002). 

 One can obtain the Forgery CD for $48, which includes a one year membership in the Society.

"1871 Japan 1 48m brown" WADA Forgery

"Pair of Dragons Facing Characters of Value"

Well, I obtained the CD several years ago, and identified these WADA forgeries.

According to my notes, this stamp (above) is a WADA Plate A forgery, mimicking Plate II.

"1872 Scott 6 1s blue (II) WADA Forgery

"Dragons and Denomination"

And this stamp (above), according to my notes, is a WADA Plate A with Sanko forgery mimicking Plate I.

So, what's the current problem? I can't find the CD! It's buried somewhere in my possessions. When I do, I will elaborate further on why these are WADA forgeries. ;-)

Since the 1871 & 1872 issues have a fairly high CV of $130+ to $650+ for major numbers (minor numbers -mostly shades - are more), a strategy would be to eliminate the plentiful WADA forgeries for these issues by using the CD, and then submitting any remaining genuine possibilities for certification.

1899 Scott 35 5p deep scarlet 

Blue Overprint

Out of the Blue

I hope you enjoyed this little excursion into recent acquisitions.

Note: For more on Gerben van Gelder's magnificent classic era maps, link here. 

Comments appreciated!