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Post by caramba on Mar 25, 2022 16:01:06 GMT
I found this in a big box of unsorted stamps. I thought I had a decent find, but I can't figure out the watermark. If it's a forgery, it's a pretty nice looking one. Any experts?   |
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drjoe
**Member** 
Posts: 23
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Post by drjoe on Mar 25, 2022 17:08:30 GMT
The watermark is definitely presents an interesting situation. At first glance, I noted the shamrock and thistle portion of Great Britain watermark (Scott) #24- heraldic emblems. Also it appears that above this portion of the watermark portions of 2 double-lined letters are present. 1 of the characters appears to be an "E". This may be a portion of the paper manufacturers name which occurs at times occurs on the stamp. It's usually on the outside portion of the paper manufacturers stock being used.
The stamp appears 100% genuine (#14 by process of elimination) but the watermark is not wmk 5 which is a large crown over CC
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Post by caramba on Mar 25, 2022 17:46:31 GMT
Thanks, drjoe. It's going into my worldwide hoarder collection, as I don't have a #14. Is this an "error" that would catalogue at a premium? I noted that the perfs on the right are somewhat rough. Regardless, a nice find in 3 lbs of stamps for $75.
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JeffS
Member 
Posts: 2,604
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Mar 25, 2022 20:42:02 GMT
caramba While I am no expert I agree with the suggestion by drjoe that this watermark is from the margin. I've seen similar from Demark. I think it is a great item.
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Post by clivel on Mar 26, 2022 6:38:20 GMT
The watermark is "Crown over CC", two of the crowns are partially visible in the lower corners of your image.
The sheets of paper also contained watermarks with the words "CROWN COLONIES" along the margins and across the centre of the sheet, part of which is almost certain what you are seeing on your stamp.
Clive
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 26, 2022 9:51:36 GMT
First of all, nice stamp, caramba , thanks for posting! Sorry drjoe , but I agree with Clive ( clivel ). Visible in the image are the tops of two crowns from the Crown & CC watermark, not shamrocks & thistle. So, if we now re-assess the identification based on the Crown & CC watermark, it should be an Sc15 or 15a or 15b, depending on the color. Clive, are you able to tell from the photo which color variety this appears to be? I cannot tell between carmine red and rose, but based on your TSF avatar, I am guessing that you can! Once again, very nice stamp and thanks for posting! 
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Post by clivel on Mar 26, 2022 17:42:44 GMT
Clive, are you able to tell from the photo which color variety this appears to be? I cannot tell between carmine red and rose, but based on your TSF avatar, I am guessing that you can!
Unfortunately, despite my avatar, I am not very knowledgable when it comes to the stamps of Natal.
SG also lists three shades, brown-red, rose, and bright red. sg20,21 & 22 respectively. I am fairly sure that caramba 's example is not the bright red, but like you, have difficulty in telling the other two colours apart.
Off topic:
When I first got back into collecting as an adult, as I am originally from South Africa, I initially turned to what I was familiar with i.e South Africa and its constituents.
It was during that period that I wrote the initial version of AlbumEasy, and as I have always been fascinated by the Chalon portrait as depicted on stamps, I chose to use this for the AlbumEasy icon, as well as on the banner for my website along with a Penny Black. So my avatar actually reflects my connection to AlbumEasy rather than as someone who is a dedicated Natal collector.
Unfortunately though, after a few days of fighting with the a pile of Transvaal stamps most of which were forgeries and reprints, and wading through pages and pages of the same on eBay, along with the relatively high prices of many Natal and COGH stamps my enthusiasm for the SA constituents was soon dampened and I moved on to the surrounding Southern African countries instead - Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Swaziland, the Rhodesias.
Clive
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,264
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Mar 27, 2022 14:17:01 GMT
Oh dear That perennial colour / shade naming problem again ., Chris Beryllium Guy quotes Scott 15 as carmine red or rose, clivel goes for SG 20-22 with brown-red, rose and bright red. So which is which? In my book brown red has a hint of orange in the ink , Carmine red / bright red suggests a strong warm colour tending away from the orange tones , rose should be a softer pinker shade , But again from a single scanned image who can tell. nice illustration of the watermark explanation Chris by the way. |
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