| Collector-Made Fantasy Stamps |  Top |
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Never Hinged  US$ |
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248243 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
"BJORN ØYA BYPOST" [Bear Island Local Post] Set of 9 different stamps, possibly the complete range of the different stamps that were made. Consists of 1) Imperforate set of five (1 black, 2 green, 3 blue, 5 magenta, and 7 bright carmine) NH VF (except "2" value which is only Fine). 2) "3" in violet on yellow paper with invisible gum, perforated approximately 7 (i.e. about 7 teeth per 2 cm). [The next three "3" items are in light blue (much lighter than the imperforate in the set of five).] 3) "3" pinhole perforated approximately 10.75. 4) "3" Imperforate with red-violet overprint consisting of an inverted triangle [supposed to represent a postage due stamp for which "T" (Taxe in French) is the universal symbol]. 5) Imperforate with black 5-pointed star and "O. S." overprint [supposed to represent an official mail stamp; "OS" is the abbreviation for the Norwegian term "Offentlig Sak" (roughly translates to "official/public business/service"]. The stamps are all typographed (printed by letterpress). The stamps do not show a currency designation, likely to decrease the risk to the maker of being accused of making fake postage stamps. The set of five is perhaps most commonly seen (though these are uncommon); the yellow paper item probably next scarcest, then the three light blue "3" stamps which seem to be scarcer than the others. These are completely private, unauthorized fantasy or "Cinderella" labels with no postal or governmental connection whatsoever. Attributed to the creative American collector Brad Arch (deceased), and were probably produced in the mid-1960s. [The light blue "3" stamps are also known in: a) vertically tete-beche imperforate pairs and b) imperforate souvenir sheet of six with a large red posthorn, red text "1925 1965", and the bold light blue text "BJORN OYA / 40 AR". This souvenir sheet, as well as labels tied to philatelic covers canceled ca.1970 helps to date the items.] Bjorn Øya (Bear Island) is a real place in the Norwegian Arctic, south of Svalbard (Spitzbergen), about one-third the distance to mainland Norway. It has been briefly inhabited from time to time by fishers, miners, and whalers, as well by the presence of a fairly permanent weather station. Interesting and quite popular and are now fairly scarce. I have seen examples sell at public auction at high prices, but my price is much more appropriate. That being said, it is quite unusual to see this entire set of nine stamps offered as a group. |
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