Odd Perforations For Early Bhopal

I have tentatively identified this Bhopal, India stamp as Scott # 31 from 1886. It is on wove paper. Scott's simply says "perforated", but these neat, clean perf 12 perforations are totally unlike any others on early Bhopal stamps.

So, what do I have here: a forgery, a privately perforated fantasy, or something else?


[Edited] I am trying to figure out how to post a larger image.
Let' see if this works:

There were reprints of these, and imitations.
Apparently addressed in Stanley Gibbons Catalogue pre 1940
Best I can do.

Thank you, Rod!

Scott's doesn't mention reprints.

I am not sure how an "imitation" differs from a forgery though.

Unless someone knows more about this stamp, I will call this one a "reprint".

Thanks again!

~Glenn

Glenn,
I would suggest "Forgery" is a work intended to defraud the Post Office.
"Imitation" is similar, but so badly done, it is easily recognised.

From my friend, Mr. Tony McGillecuddy.
You may wish to search this forum for more of his work, and Bhopal.

Thanks again, Rod!

The India Study Circle Bhopal Handbook sounds like it might be the definitive resource for more information on this stamp (and the rest of my early Bhopal stamps). Once the APS research library opens up again I may be able to borrow a copy of the handbook there, or at least get copies of the relevant pages.

I really appreciate your help!


~Glenn

This is a genuine Bhopal stamp, either SG 32 (imperf) or SG 36 (very crudely perforated similar to that illustrated in Tony's image), 4 annas orange-yellow, issued 1889-90.

It is stamp No. 15 in the sheet of 32.

It appears to have been 'improved' by the addition of fake regular perforations.

I'm not sure why this would have been done, because the values are similar for perf and imperf.

Thank you, Peter!

I am glad to hear that this is a genuine stamp and not a reprint, even if the perforations are still a mystery. I will put it in my Indian States album as Scott # 39 or 44, privately perforated. Those are the Scott numbers equivalent to S.G. #32 and 36.

Thanks again for the help, Peter!

This evening I plan to post some more images of Bhopal stamps that I had trouble identifying.

~Glenn