Need Help On Some Early Italy

I just received a selection of early Italy that I purchased. I know for a fact that some of the pencilled Scott numbers by the seller are wrong. Also, a few of the items are those where the value used is MUCH higher than unused. The cancels of early Italy are not my strong suit.

I'd appreciate any assistance regarding both identification and legitimacy. All catalog numbers below are from Scott.

Color shade identification may be somewhat hampered as they are perceptually skewed by the sheet to which the stamps are affixed. As I am still examining the collection and still within the return period I did not want to remove the stamps for scanning.

Thank you for your assistance.


1. Sardinia #11 (1855-63). This was marked as Italy #17, which it cannot be as the latter is perforated. I'm fairly certain I have identified the major number correctly, but the stamp is listed with a myriad of color shades, and this stamp is too dark to be the main listing (bister).

11 bister
11a ocher
11b olive bister
11c olive green
11d reddish brown
11e gray brown
11f olive gray
11g gray
11h grayish brown
11i violet brown
11j dark brown

In my opinion, going sheerly on the above list, it could be 11e, 11h, 11i, or 11j. Values vary greatly across the list. Any thoughts as to color?




2. Italy #17 (1862). This stamp is worth far more mint than used, so the cancels are not the question. My question is that of color. The 3 stamps below appear to be all different shades... I'm just not sure which.

17a bister
17a yellow brown
17b brown
17c dark olive brown
17d dark brown
17e olive bister
17f reddish orange











3. Italy #33 (1863-77). This stamp catalogs much more used than mint (US$32.50 unused, US$125.00 used). The cancel is illegible, which makes me question its authenticity.





4.Italy #49 (1879). This one is the big one. It catalogs US$175.00 unused and US$2,800.00 used. The footnote below #45-51 warns "Beware of forged cancellations on No. 49, on or off cover." It is on a piece trimmed close, the legitimacy of the cancel is the question.





5. Italy #57 (1889). Another one where unused vs. used has a huge disparity, US$30 for unused and US$1,200.00 for used. Cancel is very faint. Authenticity notwithstanding, the stamp obviously has condition issues.





6. Italy #72 (1891-96). Catalogs US$95.00 unused and US$240.00 used.

All your stamps should be original, however, the Italian collectors ,when they have stamps with illegible cancels judge them as fake when the price for the used one is higher than the stamp with no cancel. However an expertize is needed for the 4.Italy #49 (1879).

I hope you don't mind me jumping in Rev. and maybe the additional shade my help in your identification quest.

Hi Tuscany,
I had an earlier thread on these two items which I'd appreciate your opinions on.
They both appear unused with gum
Real or reprints? Worth something even if as a spacefiller?

I am really sorry but these stamps are fakes.

No probs Tuscany. I never paid anything for them so no losses. They were found in a collection.
I'm interested in how to identify the fakes though.

Tuscany, Glad to have you on board !! The early Italy are difficult for me but my favorites are the 1930-1951 era..beautiful stamps...i also like the Trentino overprints of the first world war era but of course they are heavily faked !!

Hello Philb! Thank you for you warm welcome! I am a collector just of the early Italian states, the stamps of the world war as you have mentioned are really tough!