The
"Sun Design" stamp (Mi #9) is a very interesting issue, as both the
colour application and the contours in the design are more even and
regular on forgeries than on original stamps [1]. The most important characteristics to distinguish originals from forgeries are:
Vertical small lines in the channels to the right and left of the lower "15" are
very narrow but irregular on original issues; thicker and more regular on forgeries.
The horisontal lines around "15" in the upper corners are
confluent on original issues, but more or less separated on the
forgeries.
The lines in the "mountain" in the middle of the
design are confluent on original issues, but the sides and the top are
very even. On forgeries the lines are separated, and the sides and top
are uneven.
Forgery
Original
Mi 10
Forgery
Original
Both forgeries and originals of the "Seagull Design" stamps (Mi #10) are
printed on fairly compact smooth paper. Also on this issue are colour
application and design contours more even on forgeries than originals
[1]. The most important design characteristics to distinguish originals from forgeries are:
The top of the "5" in "35" is rather pointed on originals, rounder on forgeries.
The wings of the seagull have uneven edges on original
issues, more uneven on forgeries. In addition, the eye of the bird is
missing on the forgeries.
The slanting ovals ("feathers") to the right and left of
the central design are narrow with uneven contours on originals. These
ovals are much rounder and more even on forgeries.
The vertical outer frameline is almost as thin as the horisontal wavelines on the originals, much thicker on forgeries.
The horisontal wavelines go up around the central motive, ending in
an extra thick line. This line is much thicker on forgeries than on
originals.
Forgery
Original
Mi 11
Forgery
Original
Original issues of Mi #11 have a pale grey-violet colour, while the
forgeries are clearly distinguishable by a more red-violet colour. (Note
that the samples above are scanned through different plastic film and
the difference is exaggerated.) Also on this issue are contours and
colour application more even on forgeries than on original issues. The most important design characteristics to
distinguish originals from forgeries are:
The frames around the "Penni" field and the right "70" are clearly separated on forgeries, but confluent on original issues.
The
frame
around "70" and the outer frame are clearly separated on forgeries, but
confluent on original issues. This is especially visible on the left
side of the stamps.
The
frame around the inner "Seagull" field is separated from the outer
frame with a thin third line on forgeries, but confluent on originals.
Forgery
Original
Source:
E. Sjogren: "Distinguishing features of Jaan Lubi forgeries of Estonian stamps I", Eesti Filatelist #28, 1982
Back