The Stamps Of Turkey / Turkiye: On Steiner Pages.

Hi Chris -

First - your pages are awesome! Really incredible. I've been pulling my hair out for the last few days - trying to create a few pages. I expect to give up soon & perhaps just burn everything that's not already in an album. Making pages is not my idea of collecting. If I were an artist, well, I'd be doing arts & crafts...

On the actual issue of stamps!

Both your tughra stamps look legitimate to me. Very nice copies - both of them.

The only way to tell the difference between Scott # 1-2 & 6-7 is the paper type. It is almost impossible, however, to tell from a picture...

The paper for #1 & #2 is like onion skin. It is very thin - effectively translucent - and extremely fragile.

#6 & #7 is much thicker paper - appears as normal stamp paper - opaque & thick.

When you have one of each in your hand to compare, it is very easy - there is a very clear distinction between the two - such that they cannot be confused.

The only way to tell from a picture would be for you to take the picture by holding the stamp up to a light source. Pick up both with your tongs together - hold them up to your desk lamp - and take a picture. Then we'll be able to tell clearly whether they are # 1 or # 6...

Here is a sample: # 1 on the left; #6 on the right:

Michael,
Thanks for the comments on the stamps. Yes, holding the stamps side-by-side it is clear the difference between #1 and #6. Actually bought these from a 90+ year old dealer in a small shop in Ankara a few years back.




Yes, I go back and forth on this myself as it is a lot of work and finding the "right" paper and the "right" printer, etc., etc. Then, I don't really like the look of album pages that are 8.5 x 11 inch paper. I have only made a few pages so far and still debating going that direction or just putting them in my Scott Vintage Reproduction pages (like Scott Speciality, but covering the world from 1840-1940).

For me its not so much an "artistic" thing, but more of a good way to learn the history of Turkey (but again, its a lot of work!).

Thanks Michael,
very helpful, saved.

May I have opinions please? I am stumped.

1869 10 paras dull violet

Sc#20e ? ($300) Yellow error.

Forgery?
Note : Value script (bottom) is widely different between stamps.

Any suggestions?
Oops...Sc#36

Sc# 520A 1917 A21 20pa Carmine. Double Opt CV: $35

Assumed FORGED double Opt.

Hi Rod,

I'm afraid I'm not convinced.

I don't like the shape of the star at the top.

Hi Nigel,
I think you have nailed it ! Thank you very much. Not sure how I missed that, (curiously, the part Pmk looks genuine)
Not only have you identified a forged Opt (double) but also my adjoining stamp...the 1 Piastre.

Not Proven: My experience points towards the GENUINE PTT Opt, as having a slightly longer RIGHT hand star point (as seen by the viewer's standpoint)

This is what I believe to be a genuine Sc#520 black Opt.......



The (assumed) forged PTT opts stand out markedly...

Nice find on that forgery and having it next to the real stamp on your scan makes it a easy judgment call.

Well for mental health reasons, I'll stay out of the PTT overprint discussion...

But about that Scott #36:

It is either Scott #36 or #36a. I believe #36a, but the color is the key & can't comment too much based on picture.

In Isfila, it is either #81, #83, or #84. I believe it is #84, but again, colors are the issue.

Now we come to the overprint:

I'll let you guys come to your own conclusions before offering further opinions.

Toughen up ! Princess

Thanks very much for your input. Phew..what a challenge.
It is obvious, I HAVE to get the Isfila catalogue.
Fortunately, I have kept all my duplicates, which will come in handy for varieties.

I am disagreeing, I cannot see my #36 as "Bistre" (Scott) I can see it as "Yellowish Beige" (isfila)

Here are my 3 copies, I have them (overprints) as (L to Right) Type lll, Type llla, Type llle.

..........over to you.

Welcome to my nightmare...

Seems we agree on Isfila classification - #84 - yellowish beige. Converting that to Scott - either #36 or #36a - is one challenge.

(I will have to dig out copies & take some pictures. Remember - you use Scott - I use Isfila. The #36 - which Scott calls 'Olive Brown' - Isfila calls 'Purple Brown')

Looking at your last picture:

I believe all 3 are Isfila #84 - yellowish beige.

On overprints:

I agree the middle one is Type IIIa.

The one on the right is not Type IIIe. I will also call that one Type IIIa.

The one on the left - our original stamp - is most definitely not Type III. This is the one that remains in question. When I first looked at it, I thought it was Type IIId. But according to the chart, that overprint does not exist on Isfila #84??

Those overprints/classifications etc come from the Duloz specialized catalog...you have that - the first picture comes from the main catalog...

A hearty thanks Michael,
it is good to have you to bounce things off.
I have ordered Isfila a week ago, my dealer in Turkey is having trouble sourcing it.

Does Isfila mention anything about print quality?
Everything is beginning to seem dodgy.

Do you come across this sort of thing? Perhaps differing papers.
(Stamp on left is #510 not #519)


...and check this piece of skulduggery,
Trying to pass off a $5 stamp to a Sc#516A $35 stamp
TAMPERED

Isfila says little about paper quality. But you can rest assured - there are lots of variations between papers & inks. Not sure what you're referring to exactly, but I have certainly seen the differences you're showing between the 1908 & 1909 varieties. The 1909 actually has two different printings - classified in Isfila as 'Plate 1' & 'Plate 2' - your 1909 stamp is Plate 1.

Very happy to hear you've ordered Isfila. What dealer are you talking about?? (Send email if you prefer) Why not just buy it directly from Isfila??

I'm not tough enough yet to wade into the PTT debacle, but that stamp is a piece of work - looks like magic marker?!

Much more interested in your Duloz / Scott #36 issue. I'm almost tempted to tell you to send it to isfila. Maybe just send them a picture to start?? That overprint looks very unusual to me...but this level of detail is still on my to-do list - I am an absolute beginner on this...

Michael,
my dealer is just a resident, I don't think he has a hard address,
goes by the name of Yusef, a real gentleman,
Sends me stuff, and doesn't expect payment until it arrives, it is working well.

I always try and get literature at a discount, if at all possible, I have a limited income.
I have sourced a copy now. Thanks for your comments, appraisals and opinions.
I value them.
-----------------------------------


Recent additions to the Album.
On my budget, I can only afford bits and pieces as they arrive.
Hence large gaps to be expected.

2006
Steiner Page 3



2007
Steiner Page 3



Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
2006
Personal Page (Would be Steiner Page 6A)



2006
Steiner Page 7.



2007
Steiner Page 5.