Africa 1859 - Cape of Good Hope - Triangular (1853-1859)...

Splendid triangular stamp from the Cape of Good Hope (Victorian period), a world icon of classic philately. The lot includes the flagship piece of the series certified by official appraisal: • 1 Shilling Deep Green (Deep Dark-Green) - Year 1859 (SG 8b / Scott 6a / Michel 4lyb): A used specimen of excellent quality, printed by Perkins Bacon on white paper, with margins ranging from good to wide and a crisp cancel. Accompanied by an original photographic Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Briefmarkenprüfstelle in Basel (M. Eichele) in 2005, attesting to its total genuineness with no hidden defects ("A fine stamp"). Additionally included in the lot: • 1 Penny Red/Brown (SG 1/3): FAKE SPIRO. Used specimen with barred cancel. • 6 Pence Grey/Slate (SG 7): FAKE SPIRO. Used specimen with barred cancel. The "Falsi Spiro", named after the Spiro brothers, owners of a printing shop in Hamburg, famous for reproducing hundreds of reproductions of classic stamps between 1864 and 1880, can be identified by these three key elements: 1. The Fake Cancellation (Postmark): The Spiro brothers sold stamps already "canceled" to make them appear more realistic to collectors of the era. Their typical cancellation on the triangular issue is printed directly with the design and consists of a series of thick black lines (often grid-like or horizontal bars) that awkwardly cover the face of the Hope figure. 2. The Details of the Figure: In the originals, the female figure representing Hope is finely engraved, seated on a well-defined anchor. In the Spiro forgeries, the facial features are sketchy, the toes and fingers look deformed, and the background of lines behind the woman appears confused and muddled. 3. The Paper and the Watermark: The originals feature a watermark in the shape of an anchor (or the word Grandfrais for some issues). The Spiro forgeries are printed on ordinary, smooth paper, free of any watermark. An unmissable opportunity for Postal History and British Colonies collectors.

Estimate:£0.83

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