One Penny, Six Pence and One Shilling. The imitations of these stamps are simply execrable, and may be detected by the paper and gum. Genuine Finely engraved, with clearly-defined background. The lettering almost as deep as the labels. Paper crisp, with yellowish gum. Forged Background speckled, without any attempt at pattern, except a few […]
1860. 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 Cents. Although each value of these stamps is from the same matrix, two dies are found of the 1, 2, 8, and 12 cents. The sole difference is in the lower lettering, which in the earliest has the value and CENTS farther apart than in the later […]
1862. 2 and 5 Centavos. Genuine Beautifully engraved, with sky formed of fine lines, close together. Rays not too strongly shown; the pole, surmounted by cap, is clearly visible; the right side of the farthest mountain is much less steep than its left side. Lettering well formed, and the numerals filling the circles prepared for […]
1867. 10 & 40 Centavos. The forgers have been very careful here, and have executed a lithographic transfer of the originals, corresponding with them almost line for line. If the printing and perforation were better, these would certainly be dangerous forgeries. Genuine Perf. 14. All the values are from the same die, the figures only […]
Issue of 1858. 5, 10, and 15 Centavos. The set with small figures are from one drawing, with numerals only varying; the same may be said of those with large figures, of which the only emitted value was the 5 c. We know of two full sets of forgeries (both, we believe, of Hamburg birth), […]
Issue of 1892. These are the “Commerce” type of the French Colonies, perf. 14 x 13 1/2, surcharged BENIN, in sans-serif capitals. The genuine stamps are scarce, and the forgeries are decidedly dangerous. Genuine The surcharge is printed in shiny ink. My specimens, furnished by my publishers, have all been examined and passed by experts […]
Issue of 1861. 1 Centime, green. Unperforated. Issue of 1863. Perforated 12 1/2 x 13 1/2, and 14 x 14 1/2. Genuine Engraved in taille-douce, on thin, white, wove paper; varieties as above. The background of the central medallion is formed of fine, crossed, vertical and horizontal lines. The letters of […]
Issue of 1849. 1 Kreuzer, black. There are two plates of this stamp. In the first plate the blocks were made of type-metal, in ten rows of nine blocks (Nov., 1849), but this material wore away rapidly; so in September, 1850, a new plate was made, which was in two panes, of 45 brass blocks […]
English people have a very peculiar habit of insisting upon adding an E to the name of this island. I really do not remember ever having seen the name written in book, newspaper, or pamphlet, except of course, in the various philatelic publications, otherwise than “Barbadoes”; and even Mr. Pemberton’s Handbook will be found to […]
Issue of 1868-82, CC. Issue of 1883, CA. These are the stamps of the Straits Settlements, surcharged with a large B. They ceased to be employed after Jan. 1st, 1886; and therefore, when possible, the postmark should always be looked at; for are not particular, and stamps which happen to have a dated postmark may […]