Into the Deep Blue
The Bordeaux issue 20c blue is probably the most fascinating for those of us that like to take a careful look at our stamps.
Why?
Because the stamp comes in three major image types (A9, A10, A11): catalogued as Scott 43,44, & 45. In Maury, the major types are referred to as T1, TII, & TIII.
And then the Maury France catalogue breaks the listing down further as sub-types (French "Report" (Litho Block Type)). There are two Reports for Scott 43, three Reports for Scott 44, and two Reports for Scott 45.
Finally each Report (which consists of a Litho block of fifteen cliches or individual stamp images) can itself be identified by individual cliche, as each one is slightly different. In other words, fifteen cliche identifications for each Report.
For this blog post, I will try to identify my group of Bordeaux 20c blue stamps by categorizing them as major type TI, TII, TIII (Scott 43, 44, 45), and then determining which Report they belong to for each major type. I am not going to identify the fifteen individual cliches within each Report, as that would be a bit too much, even for me. ;-) (If one is interested in identifying at the cliche level, Maury shows the identifying markers.)
In order to make the correct identification, I scanned some of the illustrations from my Maury catalogue that I own (under educational use exception). We will then compare my stamps and determine their Type and Report.
The first order of the day is to assure oneself that one has a Bordeaux issue stamp.
The 20c blue ( and similar 25c blue) "Ceres" is also found among the 1849-50 issue, the perforated 1870-71 issue, and the French Colonies general 1871-72 issue. These other issues are typographed.
The Bordeaux issue, in contrast is Litho, cruder, and the thick linear neck markings (as opposed to dots and dashes) are generally diagnostic.
Bordeaux 1870-71 20c blue Type I-II-III (Scott 43, 44,45) Differences
There is a missing hieroglyphic for Type III. Different mouth images for each type. There is little shading of the neck for Type I.
Again notice, for Type I, the space between the circle containing the head and the upper label appears to be wider than the other two types.
Type 1 (Scott 43)
OK, let's look at some examples for Type I (Scott 43). Oops, I don't have any. ;-) The problem is the CV is $550 and rare. I'll bet, though, that some unsuspecting Type I's are hanging out in various collections. Now that you and I know how to identify a Type I, the hunt is on! !!
If you do find a Type I, the above illustration should help to identify if it is Report 1 or Report 2. Report 2 has about a 20% higher CV (Maury) than Report 1.
Type II (Scott 44)
OK, do I have some Type IIs? Fortunately I do! CV is $45.
Of interest, once one has identified a Type II stamp, then one needs to determine which Report- and there are three of them!
Let's take a look at my examples.
Example One has an upper label inscription which is smaller than Type III, and the "C" looks like Type II. Heavy neck markings (not Type I), and Mouth looks like Type II. The lower panel shows "20" characteristic of Type II, and the script is not as large as Type III.
Type II.
There is a white line outlining the head, so this stamp is also Report 3.
Example Two shows a script not as large as Type III, and the "R" does not look like Type I. "C" looks like Type II. Last hieroglyph is present and has a Type II mouth. Circle is close to the upper panel (not Type I). "20" of lower panel looks like Type II.
Type II
White outline of head determines this stamp is also a Report 3.
Here is another Type II Report 3 stamp. Verify for yourself by checking the signs.
This is another Type II, but there is no white outline of the head, and there are dark spots and shadows among the grain: This is a Report 2.
The color range for my TII stamps vary from pale blue to blue. Maury lists some six colors for the TII Report 3 stamps, including the rare ultramarine color.
Type III (Scott 45)
The Type III is generally characterized by larger script for the top and bottom horizontal panels. The CV is $16 for the blue color (1871). But there is also, in the catalogue, an "ultramarine" color (Scott 45a) @ $675!
But the stamp also exists in two Reports.
Report 1 has a CV of ~$110, according to Maury. No wonder why I didn't find any Report 1s in my collection.
The upper panel script is large (Type III).
The "R" and "C" look like Type III.
Of interest, the Maury illustration for the upper panel Type III does not show a dot between REPUB and FRANC. But all five of my stamps that look like Type III have a dot there. I think the dot is more common.
The bottom hieroglyph is missing (Type III).
The gap between the circle surrounding the head and the upper panel is small (not Type I).
The face shading is strong, consistent with Type III (also T II).
The lower panel has large script (T III).
The "20"s are characteristic of Type III, as well as the "O".
Thick frame (Report 2). (See illustration and compare with stamp.)
Type III
Report 2
Example Six has the large script and thick frame.
Type III, Report 2
Also Example Seven heading the blog post is Type III, Report 2.
Check the signs. Yes, a TIII, Report 2.
Large script, thick frame - TIII, Report 2.
The colors BTW for my TIII stamps range from pale blue to strong blue. Maury lists five colors for the Type III, Report 2 stamps, including the rare ultramarine color.
Other Similar French "Ceres" Issues
Of course, there are other 20c (& 25c) blue "Ceres" stamps, but usually the 1870 Bordeaux issue is characteristic enough to tell. Nevertheless, why don't we take a look at the other "Ceres" issues.
I think this is the 1849-50 Typo 25c blue with "yellowish" paper (CV $40). Note the individual dots on the neck.
I show the 25c stamp ( which will not be confused with the Bordeaux issue, which is the 20c), as the 20c 1849-50 issue is quite rare (CV $2,000+), and only found unused.
Here is the common typographic perforated 1870-73 French issue 20c blue (CV $6+). As the issue is perforated, it cannot be confused with the similar unperforated "Ceres" stamps.
Finally, is this a French Colony general issue 1872 25c blue stamp (CV $13)? (There is also a FC 20c blue general issue @ CV $125 that I do not have.) Or could this be a 1849-50 25c blue? (CV $30)). You can see it gets a bit tricky.
Out of the Blue
I hope you found this blog post useful for separating out the Bordeaux 20c blue types and reports.
Comments appreciated!
