Spud Papers – Netherlands Indies

1869. 5, 10, 20 & 50 cents.

Genuine

All from one matrix, perf. 14. The circle round the head of king contains 87 pearls. Barbed flukes of anchors very clearly drawn. Lettering clearly cut, and not at all blurred, Paper with just the faintest tinge of yellow. Gum, yellowish white.

The genuine colours are:

• 5 cents, pale chalky yellow-green
• 10 cents, warm reddish-bistre
• 20 cents pale dull chalky ultramarine
• 50 cents clear rose-carmine

Forged

All from one matrix, lithographed, perf. 13 1/2. The circle round the head of king contains only 86 pearls. Barbed flukes of anchors are shapeless dots. Lettering not at all clear, and thinner than in the genuine. Paper white, gum white. Postmarked SAMARANG, 23, 12, 1870, in three-quarter circle, with chord. Below the chord of the arc is the word franco. This is a tolerably accurate imitation of the genuine postmark, except that, in the genuine, the lettering is very thick and black; whilst the lettering of the forged postmarks is much thinner and more elongated, and of a greyish-black tint. The colours of the forgeries are:

• 5 cents, darkish yellow-green
• 10 cents Indian red
• 20 cents bright ultramarine
• 50 cents dull lake-red

The chief test, as will be seen, is the number of pearls in the circle. These pearls are tolerably easy to count, even in the forgeries; but they are not so round as in the genuine. We think, altogether, the forgers have reason to be pleased with their work this time; but, of course, it will not bear careful dissection.

From “The Spud Papers” by Atless, Pemberton & Earée, 1871-1881.

See also

• Album Weeds – Netherlands Indies
• Hans Kruse’s exhibition of Netherlands Indies 1864-1938