Crete - Genuine/ Forgery signs for the British Admin 1898-99 10 & 20 para issues

1898 Scott 3 20pa green 

Genuine

 Into the Deep Blue

Back in my first year -2011- of the blog, I published the Crete blog post with a pic of the 1899 20pa rose, part of the British Administration four stamp issue of 1898-1899. A little more than a year later, in the comments section, Michael Adkins of Dead Country Stamps pointed out that I was illustrating a forged specimen.

This was my reply...

Hi Michael

Thanks for the nice words, and glad I can be helpful.

Your Dead Countries web site is absolutely excellent.

As far as the 1899 "Scott 5" 20pa rose, yes indeed it is a forgery. In fact, I have the complete forgery set (Scott 2-5). ;-)

When I put this blog post together, I did not have have the information to call the 20pa rose a forgery- although I was suspicious.  Now I do.

According to Varro Tyler's Focus on Forgeries (Edition 2000), the small circle with dot above the numerals is incomplete at the bottom, and hence a forgery. As the set is perf 11 1/2,- like the originals-, it was supposedly made by the original printers, Gundman & Stangel of Athens Greece. But the stamps then were not reprinted on the original stone, so they are not reprints- but forgeries.

Tyler also says some of the forgery stock was sold to Francois Fournier, who gave them an 11 perforation. Another forgery from the Gunman & Stangel supply was sold and perforated 11 1/4.

I've made an update note on the Crete blog post, so to not lead people astray.

That is one thing I appreciate about your Dead Countries web site and virtual albums is the meticulousness and accuracy.

Now if I can do likewise. ;-)

Jim

Even today, despite alas! no new posts for the past 3 years, Michaels' site is a treasure trove of information. Check it out!

Well, it is time for me to do a bit of an update on Crete, and I thought - why not- show the genuine/forgery differences for this lithographic issue. So, let's begin...

1898 Scott 3 20pa green 

Genuine

The above specimen, is, in fact, my only genuine copy. !! But, not too surprising, as Varro Tyler did say that forgeries far outnumber genuine stamps. I have eight more stamps - all forgeries! 

I checked the APS Stamp Store site, and they were currently listing eleven stamps from the four stamp issue - again, all forgeries! (Yes, even the APS site is caveat emptor. !!)

My Genuine is on white paper, has a very regular clean cut 11 1/2 perforation, and the printing is nicely done.

1898 Scott 3 20pa green 

Forgery

Here is a forgery, with yellow green color (my genuine has a green color), on yellowish paper (my genuine is on white paper), and very poor (shallow) perfs (almost looks sewing machine perf). The Perf appears 11 1/4 X 11 1/2.

1898 Scott 3 20pa green  Close-up 1

Genuine

Close-up of the genuine shows Tyler's main marker: "The small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is complete at the bottom". Also, note the two smaller circles on either side and the five "leaf" drawings above the dotted circle are clear of any color infilling.

1898 Scott 3 20pa green Close-up 1

Forgery

The forgery has a dotted circle that is incomplete at the bottom (diagnostic). Also note infilling of the right smaller circle.

1898 Scott 3 20pa green Close-up 2

Genuine

Not noted by Tyler, but noted by me, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, the middle (and left-middle) smaller circles are not infilled in my genuine. Since I only have one genuine stamp, I don't know if this is a constant finding for all Genuines. But it is worth a look.

1898 Scott 3 20pa green Close-up 2

Forgery

The Forgery shows,  for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1898 Scott 2 10pa blue

Forgery Example 1

Note: Remember, if you want a closer up view of the stamp, click on it!

The rest of the examples I have are all forgeries. We will note the differences, compared to my genuine already illustrated a bit above.

This forgery is on yellowish paper, has poorly formed shallow 11 1/2 perfs, and the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom. The color is gray-bluish blue.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1898 Scott 2 10pa blue

Forgery Example 2

This forgery is on white paper, but has 11 1/2 poorly formed shallow perfs.

Note the blue color - the other 10pa "blue" forgery (bit above) has a gray-bluish-blue color.

The small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom. 

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1899 Scott 4 10pa brown

Forgery Example 1

The 1899 10pa brown is on yellowish paper, with a perf of 11 1/2 - fairly clean cut.

But the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1899 Scott 4 10pa brown

Forgery Example 2

The second 10pa brown forgery example is on yellowish paper with 11 1/2 perf, with perfs fairly clean cut.

But the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1899 Scott 4 10pa "brown"

Forgery Example 3

The third forgery example is on white paper, with the perfs @ 11, and somewhat rough and shallow. Note the Perf is 11: This is probably a Fournier forgery.

The color is different than the other forgeries also: a chocolate brown color.

Characteristic of forgeries, the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1899 Scott 5 20pa rose

Forgery Example 1

This 20pa rose forgery is on yellowish paper, with fairly clean cut 11 1/2 perfs.

But the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1899 Scott 5 20pa rose

Forgery Example 2

My second 20pa "rose" forgery is on whiter paper, with perf 11 1/2 rough shallow perfs.

But the small circle with the dot centered above the numerals of value is incomplete at the bottom.

Also, for the arabesque design below the numerals of value, all the smaller circles are infilled.

1898 Scott 2 20pa green

Genuine

Out of the Blue

I hope this bit of "show & tell" for the British Administration 1898-99 10 & 20pa issue stamps, showing the forgery differences vs the genuine was helpful.

Note: Crete- Bud's Big Blue post shows further examples of genuines, as well as several used examples. Check it out!

Crete Heraklion Cancel

Note: hy-brasil in comments section (below) points out that these "Heraklion" markers, often mistaken for overprints, are, in fact, "favor" ctos.

Comments appreciated!