Jay Smith & Associates: Iceland: Forgeries: Classic Issues

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Iceland: Forgeries: Classic Issues

Virtually all of the complete (i.e. fake in all aspects, not just a fake overprint) forgeries of Icelandic 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 Icelandic forgeries is very sparse; 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 classic Icelandic forgeries to the Spiro Brothers. Spiro forgeries are almost always rather crude, often on coarse paper, and are virtually always "canceled". However, I have seen forgeries in somewhat varying styles that suggest that they are the work of more than one forger. Illustrations of the "album" of the famous forger Fournier (operated 1904 to about 1914) included some Icelandic forgeries, however, based on my general (but yet unproven to my satisfaction) information, the rather crude Icelandic forgeries are probably the work of the Spiro Brothers; 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". (To those that think repairing and regumming are a modern practice, Fournier operated a well-staffed workshop offering these services!)

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.

Classic Issues

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Item #

Quality & Description

IMAGES: Hover mouse pointer over image to determine if ACTUAL image of item OR a REPRESENTATIVE sample image of item.
Click for more information

Canceled

US$

236999

Scott #1-5 [2, 3, 4, 8, and 16 Skilling] The complete set of five values. Complete FORGERIES attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring REYKJAVIK (no date) cancels. Usual variable size and centering, no defects (these are usually defective). Each with left or right side margins. This is the only complete matched set I can recall having in 40 years. Very attractive!

ACTUAL item.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
This item has sold.

237001

Scott #1 [2 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring cancel (no text visible in this strike). F-VF centered, thin spot as usual. Forgeries of #1 stamps are always very much sought after. Very attractive!

ACTUAL item.

30.00

237006

Scott #2 [4 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. WITH diagonal, blue "FAC-SIMILE" BACKPRINT (which was applied to some stamps mounted in the Fournier forgery album prepared in 1927-28 as examples for collectors); these are much scarce than those without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring REYKJ(AVIK) (no date) cancel. F-VF centered, small thin spot (as most with the backprint seem to have).

ACTUAL item.

40.00

237002

Scott #2 [4 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring (REYKJAV)IK (no date) cancel. Fine centered, no defects (these are usually defective). This denomination seems to be scarcer than some others.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

237003

Scott #2 [4 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Appears to be perforated 12.5, but extremely rough (very scarce thus). Fake single-ring (REYKJAV)IK (no date) cancel. Fine centered, no defects (these are usually defective). This denomination seems to be scarcer than some others.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

237007

Scott #3 [8 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. WITH diagonal, blue "FAC-SIMILE" BACKPRINT (which was applied to some stamps mounted in the Fournier forgery album prepared in 1927-28 as examples for collectors); these are much scarce than those without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring REYKJ(AVIK) (no date) cancel. F-VF centered, small thin spot (as most with the backprint seem to have).

ACTUAL item.

40.00

237004

Scott #3 [8 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring (REYKJAVI)K (no date) cancel. Fine centered, no defects (these are usually defective). Attractive.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

237008

Scott #5 [3 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. WITH diagonal, blue "FAC-SIMILE" BACKPRINT (which was applied to some stamps mounted in the Fournier forgery album prepared in 1927-28 as examples for collectors); these are much scarce than those without backprint. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring REYKJ(AVIK) (no date) cancel. Fine centered, small thin spot (as most with the backprint seem to have) and small tear. This denomination seems to be scarcer than some.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

243483

Scott #5 [3 Skilling] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without any form of backprint or forgery marking. Perforated 12.5. Fake single-ring (REYKJA)VIK (no date) cancel as usual. Average-Fine centered as usual (these all had terrible centering). NO thins or other defects -- quite unusual without defects! This denomination seems to be scarcer than some.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

215317

Scott #O1 [4 Skilling Green Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 13.75 top and 12.75 bottom and sides. With fake single-ring Reykjavik (no date) cancel and fake 5-ring mute cancel. Used VF, thinned (as usual). This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.

ACTUAL item.

45.00

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
This item has sold, however, if you are seeking Icelandic forgeries, please let me know; other items are in stock but not yet on the website.

Classic Issues continued ...

Top

Item #

Quality & Description

IMAGES: Hover mouse pointer over image to determine if ACTUAL image of item OR a REPRESENTATIVE sample image of item.
Click for more information

Canceled

US$

215318

Scott #O2 [8 Skilling Pale Lilac Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 13.75 top and right, 12.75 on left, bottom unmeasurable due to quality. No cancellation. Mint, small tear, poor perfs at bottom. This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.

ACTUAL item.

30.00

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
This item has sold, however, if you are seeking Icelandic forgeries, please let me know; other items are in stock but not yet on the website.

215319

Scott #O2 [8 Skilling Pale Lilac Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 11.25 top, right, and bottom; perforated 10.75 on left. Fake single-ring Reykjavik (no date) cancel. Used VF, thinned (as usual). This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.

ACTUAL item.

35.00

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
This item has sold, however, if you are seeking Icelandic forgeries, please let me know; other items are in stock but not yet on the website.

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