New Caledonia 1860 Napoleon III - Genuine Or Fake?

Hi all,

I have this New Caledonia stamp issued in 1860 with Napoleon III:



On the reverse, it has some wavy lines, which resemble parts of caligraphic writings:



The paper of the stamp is thin. No yellowing, no hinge marks - very good example of this item.

I have only this one sample of the full sheet of those stamps. Each stamp in the sheet is different. I marked the stamp that matches in design my stamp (3rd row, 4th stamp from the left):



Now enlarged (my stamp on the right):



Do you think it is a genuine stamp?

Do I have any other means to distinguish between many fakes and genuine items?

I would appreciate any advice.

Adam

Forgery

Hi Adam,
No specialist here, but first impression is a forgery
I only have one image, from a catalogue to go on,
and your example reveals poor work, in all facets.

I'll take some time today to look in Billigs, see what they have to offer.

I think, only second time I have seen this stamp on a forum.
I'd like to hear the history behind its genesis.

1920
Scott Stamp Catalogue.
"Counterfeits abound"

Your stamp is position 24 as you indicated. It could be a stamp from a reprint of the original sheet, before the plates were destroyed in Paris.
The paper of your stamp looks a bit grainy.The original printing (paper& ink) were done on the paper used for the "Moniteur Imperial';a local New Caledonian journal.it's paper was a bit smoother.Only paper comparison with the original New Caledonian printing can one distinguish the original from the reprint.
Below examples of the "Moniteur Imperial"...
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6042893b
https://m.facebook.com/amepnc/posts...122565573871

Hello floortrader, rod222, perf12 & rogdcam,

Wow! I have never expected such a response! It's fantastic!

Especially the print from rod222 shows me how poor my piece is.

However, I was wondering about those wavy lines on the back of the stamp, which resemble parts of caligraphic writings. Why would anybody forge the stamp with such lines?

Anyway, when I touch the stamp it just feels too good to be true, meaning the paper, although thin, feels too smooth for that era.

OK, I had some hopes. I would like to thank you for your fantastic input.

Adam

@ rod222,

You have asked "I'd like to hear the history behind its genesis".

Not sure whether you are referring to the way I have purchased the stamp. As I remember, it was a US seller who offered a lot of New Caledonia stamps.

I do not remember whether that particular stamp was flagged as "possible forgery". I have just bought the lot.

Well, I have o forgery - I can see it. Happy to know about it :)

Adam

Hi Adam,
I was referring to whom may have designed the stamp, how the
plate/plates were engraved etc, where printed etc.

I was reminded of the essays created by Lieutenant-Colonel Delauney
of the New Hebrides

That stamp above is not a reprint ,it is a poorly made Fake . The hair lines are all wrong ,the eyes are wrong and the beard has a design like a rainbow ,were the original has a design in the beard the looks like a set of lips . Paper is wrong too !

I would of classified it as a cutout . From a album or a stamp journal .

There are 50 stamps in the sheet and they are all different.The op's stamp is pos. 24.The hair lines & beard are conform to pos. 24.Only comparison with a certified pos. 24 (paper & ink) can one know for sure.You cannot exclude a reprint.
Any of the 50 stamps in the sheet found mint are common,but pricey nevertheless.Used copies are scarce too rare.
.

Dear perf12,

Are you have more information about this stamp?

1) Why is there so little information in catalogs about this interesting postage stamp? Why is nothing said about reprints?

2) Why is the issue of this stamp dated everywhere to 1860, although it was issued on August 4, 1859?

3) Why does an early classic small colony postage stamp, issued with a circulation of only 1,500 copies, have such a low catalog value?

4) You wrote: "Any of the 50 stamps in the sheet found mint are common,but pricey nevertheless.Used copies are scarce too rare." Where to find genuine "scarce used copies"? Scott catalogue for used is 250$... I want to pay much more *** Edited by Staff - Please review the rules that you agreed to when you registered. ***

--- "you cannot exclude a reprint " --- Yes I can ,please red what I outlined in red ink .