Jay Smith & Associates: Danish West Indies: Forgeries: Bicolored Issues

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Danish West Indies: Forgeries: Bicolored Issues

Many, if not virtually all, of the complete (i.e. fake in all aspects, not just a fake overprint) forgeries of Danish West Indies stamps were created more than 100 years ago by stamp "dealers" / "reproduction printers" / "packet makers" who were more interested in supplying quantities of inexpensive examples of stamps from unusual countries than in fooling anybody. Collections formed before 1920 often include such forgeries; sometimes they can be worth more than the real stamps. The literature describing DWI forgeries is hard to find; some references seem to just repeat previous sources and may not be correct. The Spiro Brothers (in Hamburg, Germany) were active from approximately 1864 to 1880, making forgeries of about 500 different stamps, from many different countries.

The information I have encountered has usually assigned many DWI forgeries, especially forgeries of the Bicolors, to the Spiro Brothers. Spiro Bicolor forgeries are almost always rather crude, often varying in overall dimensions of the paper, with crude perforations, and are virtually always "canceled" with a grid of lines or an oval "barrel" style cancel. I have seen references stating that Fournier did sell Spiro forgeries alongside his own. Forgeries created by Fournier tend to be very sophisticated and "dangerous" (unlike the Spiro Bicolor forgeries). (To those that think repairing and regumming are a modern practice, Fournier operated a well-staffed workshop offering these services!)

A variety of forgeries exist of classic DWI issues, but are seldom seen. However, forgeries of the postage due stamps are common. Forgeries (by multiple forgers) of the first four stamps are extremely common, while forgeries of the second four (actually six) stamps are also fairly often seen. Other than those mentioned, other DWI forgeries are rarely encountered, however, one must be very cautious about defects and alterations (repairs, regumming, etc.).

Though some people believe that all forgeries should be destroyed, I am of the opinion that it is important for educational and expertizing purposes for specialists and expertizers to include at least early forgeries in their reference collections. That being said, very modern forgeries and reproductions are another matter and, in my opinion, should never be encouraged by purchasing them from their creators or those selling them that may be close to the creators.

If you are interested in forgeries of other countries, please see the Forgeries Table of Contents.

Bicolored Issues

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Item #

Quality & Description

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Canceled

US$

245844

Spiro Total Forgery of Scott #5 [1 cent Bicolor] Green frame reasonably resembling the originals, but with violetish-gray center color unlike any of the original stamp printings. "Canceled" with a nearly complete (quite unusual to be so complete) "barrel" style "cancel" (such a cancel style was never used in DWI). Very small overall size, with Average centering. (The overall size of the Spiro DWI Bicolor forgeries varies greatly.) Typical crude perforations. NO defects -- unusual without defects. In my experience, the 1 cent forgery is less often seen.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

245845

Spiro Total Forgery of Scott #7 [4 cent Bicolor] Yellow-brown frame and blue center reasonably resembling the originals. "Canceled" with a partial "barrel" style "cancel" (such a cancel style was never used in DWI). Large overall size, with F-VF centering, which is actually "very fine" for one of these. (The overall size of the Spiro DWI Bicolor forgeries varies greatly.) Typical crude perforations. NO defects -- unusual without defects. In my experience, the 4 cent forgery is less often seen, especially not in such nice quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

245846

Spiro Total Forgery of Scott #9 [7 cent Bicolor] Lilac frame and orange-yellow center reasonably resembling the original first printing. "Canceled" with a mostly complete "grid of lines" style "cancel" (such a cancel style was never used in DWI; this style of cancel seems to be less common on the forgeries, and especially unusual so complete). Typical overall size, with F-VF centering. (The overall size of the Spiro DWI Bicolor forgeries varies greatly.) Typical crude perforations. NO defects -- unusual without defects.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

245849

Spiro Total Forgery of Scott #12 [14 cent Bicolor] Lilac frame and green center reasonably resembling the originals. "Canceled" with a partial "barrel" style "cancels" (such a cancel style was never used in DWI). Unusually large overall size, with VF++ centering -- quite exceptional. (The overall size of the Spiro DWI Bicolor forgeries varies greatly.) Typical crude perforations. No defects. Extraordinarily nice example.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

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