(German States) Baden Mi. 4, 9 Kreuzer, A Red Line?

Any idea what is this red strip/line? I have seen similar on some other GS stamps (on some Bayern earlies) but never on these issues (+ a catalog doesn't mention it).

Is that some kind of a reprint or a forgery?

I don't see, why it would be a forgery; looks like a normal used 9 kr. of usual lighter shade, with 4 margins and readable postmark. The line in question was applied for some reason to the stamp on envelope, it's not something that would be printed.

Acording to my Hilcker book. they make reprint of the others but not of the 9kr

To judge that as a forgery we would need a much larger scan . On all the early Baden stamps the engraver was instructed to put secret marks on them ,on your copy it is too small to identify those flaws that were placed on real stamp.

Thanks for replies... here are the best scans which I am able to make.

The red thread still confuses me... it doesn't look like some kind of cancel or so... mostly likely like it has been there from the printing process of the stamp.

Filipo, the line looks like a pen cancel, with sepia ink having being used. It appears to have been applied with aid of a straight edge. This is a technique that can occasionally be seen on revenue stamps, or documents.

The line which can appear on other stamps is a silk thread which was imbedded during manufacture of the paper.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe it happens to be a forgery. It seems to be missing the secret mark in the lower right.

Here is an image I marked up on another thread:

...back in 2010 (!). I can't believe it was that long ago.

Anyway, I claim no expertise in German States, so if someone has a different idea, pipe up.

eta: So, if I'm right, I wonder if the line was a defacement made by a scrupulous dealer or an expertizer?

Cjd, I am no expert, but I cannot agree. I am looking at this stamp and comparing it the illustration and list of features in Hermann Schloss's "Distinguishing Characteristics of Classic Stamps, Old German States". The position of the secret mark ( on the pink scallop below and to the right of the period after "9") is covered by the number cancellation.

I think simply that part of the number cancel (57) in the center is covering the secret mark.Here is another addition of the secret mark...

Here is a little bigger look at the area in question.



eta: Strictly for what it's worth. I'm not saying, "see, I told you so." I might actually see little protuberances here and there. Or my eyes might be crossing. Not sure.

It can be easily sorted, really.
What it requires, is a member with another stamp genuine or otherwise,
to post an image of theirs.
We can then toggle the images, and anything amiss, will certainly pop up.

The quality of the printing would suggest to me, the stamp is genuine.

I agree with bookbinderbob, I think the line is a pen cancel. (faded, weak "iron gall" ink)
I recall seeing these before, but not on Baden.

British post Offices had wooden pins about 1 foot long, and half inch diameter,
esp for scribing straight lines such as these.

It is a forgery .I believe it is a PHOTOGRAVURE reproduction .

Real 9K baden ---From a German Stamp Auction House --picture --

Here are four examples of Baden 1851 9 kr. from my collection.

First stamp, Michel No. 4a, pale reddish carmine, is from the 1st printing, on very thin (0.04 mm) paper.
Second stamp, also Michel No. 4a, pale reddish carmine, is from the first printing, in thin paper (0.05 mm).
Third stamp is Michel No. 4b, reddish carmine to lilac rose, on thicker paper and has a relatively rare postmark.
Fourth stamp is Michel No. 4b, reddish carmine to lilac rose, on thicker paper, with 4 wide margins.

My theory about the stamp shown in the beginning of this thread is that it is a normal, genuine used stamp of pale shade, Michel No. 4a (to make sure, measure the paper thickness; it should be about 0.05 mm or less in this 1st printing), where postmark almost obscures the secret mark (which happens very often, it is barely visible or invisible on 3 of my 4 examples).

There were no official reprints of this 9 kr. stamp.

As to the vertical ink line, as I noted before, it may have been applied on the cover for some reason.

Michel mentions that rare and expensive essays of this issue (Vorlagestücke) had been rendered obsolete (not good for postage) by a horizontal or vertical ink line. But these were never used. However, it is possible — just barely possible — that somebody tried to make this stamp to look like a rare essay without understanding that essays never circulated in the mail; but I doubt it.

Now, if somebody would discover Baden 1851 9kr. on blue green paper, that would be sensational news!