Samoa

I believe this to be Samoa #1a(typeIII) and #2. What do you think?

I would start by checking the perforations. The Scott catalogue describes characteristics to look for in order to distinguish between originals and reprints/forgeries. The most telling detail, as stated by Scott is:




Your stamps do not appear to have this characteristic.

Brian

Yup.. You are right about that. I have another glassine that has stamps that I had identified as reprints. I don't know why I thought these two were genuine. It has been 15 years since I looked at these stamps. I'm going to have to study the situation. This forum is great... Thanks for your input.

My pleasure ... and welcome to SCF!

The left stamp appears to be a genuine #1 (not #1a) State III to me. The dots are only uniform (evenly spaced) in State I printings.

[EDIT: above is incorrect, see posts below and the higher res pics.]

The right stamp is of insufficient resolution for me to determined if there is a dot (or vertical dash) below the "M". But it is most likely a State IV remainder of #2.

Neither of them are forgeries.

The statistic to remember about Samoan Express stamps is ~90% are reprints, ~9% are forgeries, and ~1% are genuine.

Look for the dot on the curved line below the center of the "M".

Reprint! (I'm ignoring the small possibility it is a Type IV original)

(The dot can be subtle, and your stamp scan is not ideal, but there does appear to be dot there.)

I couldn't see the dot, nor a vertical dash in the left stamp. But I agree, individual higher resolution scans would be preferable.

I thought if the dot or vertical dash was there, it was automatically Type IV.

khj- True, Type IV can be either originals, remainders or reprints.

(I edited my earlier post to make it clear I was referring to Type IV originals.)

But, by far, they tend to be reprints.


Type IV: 1880-82 ,-Perf 11 3/4- 2p, 9p (2p never placed in use). Speck or dot of color on curved line below center of "M". The Type IV originals, compared to the Type IV reprints, are distinguished by color for the 2p, and "rough perf 12" for the 9p.

For the purposes of this discussion, I am assuming that a "dot" seen below the center of the "M" in Express stamps indicates "Reprint"- because that is a likely assumption. But, if you believe you might have an original Type IV 2p or 9p, then seek expert opinion. (There were also Type IV "remainders" (perf 11 3/4) from 1881 that were purchased by a stamp dealer after the discontinuation of the Samoa Express service, and distributed to the market. The colors are somewhat different between "remainders" and "reprints" See Samoa Express Forgeries website http://www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/s...express.html for specifics.)

Reprints are also Type IV! Reprints are often perforated on all sides ("uncommon" to "doesn't occur" for the originals).

Reprints tend to have whiter paper, and the perforations are 11 3/4 and 12 1/4.

The reprints were made by the original Sydney printers, but the sheet size was larger (40: 8X5). An estimated 50,000 sets (1884) and 100,000 sets (1892) were produced. Reprints far outnumber originals.

Does this help?

See the dot below the center of the M?

Probable reprint.

One more...



This is amazing. That dot is not visible to naked eye.

Jkjblue has an eagle eye! Yes, your higher res pic clearly shows the dot.

I concur, based on the perf and paper, it is a State IV reprint of the 1p stamp.

Thanks for the confirmation khj.

In regards to an "eagle eye", the truth is, without my glasses, I have a difficult time seeing the big "E".

Well rats... LOL. What about the 2 pence stamp. Do I need to do a better scan?

Yes, would need a clearer pic. Again, look for the colored dot (it may have merged with the colored arc so that it looks like a vertical dash sticking out). Also, what is the perf measurement and the color of the gum on the back (is it streaky yellow/brown or smooth clear)?