Cape of Good Hope Triangle Issued 1853: Genuine or Forgery

OVERVIEW

 Stamp #1

Stamp #2

Refer to the above stamps, there are two stamps for Cape of Good Hope (COGH) Triangular issue which was on-used from 1853 to 1865 with face value of One Penny. Issue in 1861 is so-called "Triangular Woodblock".

The colour shades of stamp #1 is apparently Black whereas stamp #2 is Brick Red, to be examined either it's Genuine or Forgery.

Few tips are suggested by Philatelies expert who are specialized on the British Empire stamps; vast experience in analysing the integrity of the stamps based on comparison with specimens and proofs.

MYLA PHILATELY believe that the tips given by the experts are useful especially for the Beginners collectors.  This study is merely testified either that tips are workable or elsewhere needs further improvise prior to establish a pool-proof references and guidances.

An expert be able to determine authenticity of the stamp less a minute. There are plenty of the forgeries stamps with different physical characteristic. Hence, should be analysed as much as we can.

ISSUES

Numerous of the forgery stamps with different characteristic and quality are trading in the market. Some of them, may looks similar to the Genuine but actually it is a forgery stamp.

In this case, the forgery stamps were attributed by the following sources; J.D. Sperati, F. Fournier, N. Imperato, B. Assmus M. Joseph (Postmark), David A.G (overprints), A.A. Jurgens (Cape Wood Blocks), P. Winter (House of Stamps), Senf Brothers, O. Schroder, Spiro Brothers and A. Taylor.

ISSUANCES

According to London Philatelist, the first COGH stamps were issued on 1^st September, 1853 by Bacon Perkins in London, consisted of two face values; one penny and four pence. The next issuance were on 19^th February 1858, prove the date of issue for the six pence and one shilling values.

The original die came from the value of one penny, and from which the dies for the three other values were afterward produced, engraved by Messrs. Perkins Bacon & Co. The plates were steel, and each contained 240 specimens, in fifteen horizontal rows of 16 stamps, which were arranged in eight squares.

The woodblocks engraved on steel by C.J. Roberts was printed from stereotyped plate by Saul Solomon and Co in Cape Town on January 1861. The issue from 1863/1864 were printed by De La Rue from plates that had been engraved by Perkins-Bacon and used for printing the first issue. All of issuances, having different quality and characteristic but in certain elements, there were united & having common similarity in term of key features of the Genuine stamps.

The total quantity being produced:-

• 1d - 5.95 million
• 4d- 7.01 million
• 6d - 0.92 million
• 1/- - 0.38 million

EXAMINATED OF SAMPLES

Basically, the COGH Triangular issue has THREE borders or frames; Left Top Chord (Slanting), Right Top Chord (Slanting) and Bottom Chord. The shape is most likely like a truss in the building structure. There are THREE ornaments at every corner; centre ornament is Bullseye, left & right of bottom corner is 4-ray spines. The Cape Triangles were the first triangular shaped stamps in the world.

Sample #1

Particulars:-

Face value: One Penny (1d)

Colour: Black

Year of Issuance: 1853 onward

Die: Proof/Essay/Forgery

Quantity: 1

Shape: Triangle

Condition: Unused & defective red colour shades most probably signed of rejection or chemical reaction on paper.

Paper: Blue Paper with Watermark

Abstract the Check-list Items base on the following points:-

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Checklist Points:

No	Visibility	Remark
	Bottom Chord
1.	Four diamond hatching.	Yes
2.	‘O’ of ‘HOPE’ is slightly higher than H, P & E.	Yes
3.	White line insides ‘D’ of ‘GOOD’.	Yes
4.	Serif of the ‘G’ of ‘GOOD” extends beyond the Top Serif to the right.	No
5.	A dot of colour appeared just below to the right of the ‘F’ of ‘OF’.	Yes
6.	A large patch of colour inside of the ‘C’ of ‘CAPE’.	Yes
	Top Right Chord
7.	A distinctive cross is appeared in the pattern.	Yes
8.	4-ray spines nearly touch the ends of the bottom ornaments.	No
9.	Serif of the ‘G’ of ‘POSTAGE” extends beyond the Top Serif.	No
10.	The centre ornament have an outer ring and a solid inner bullseye.	Yes
	Top Left Chord
11.	The rainbow pattern of hatching.	No
	Centre Frame
12.	The toes of right leg are 5 visible.	Yes
13.	The digits of the right hand.	Yes
14.	A small dot very close to the forehand.	Yes
15.	Several boomerang shape in the background @ 3 dots.	No
16.	The tip (bill) of the anchor.	Yes
17.	The shadow of the anchor and the bottom tip that pointing to the 2nd ‘O’ of ‘GOOD’.	No
	SCORE	11/17

Finding: A Forgery Stamp

Remark:
1. Watermark paper 
2. Defective colour shades

Sample II

Particulars:

Face value: One Penny (1d)

Colour: Brick Red

Year of Issuance: 1853 onwards

Die: Proof Stamp

Quantity: 1

Shape: Triangular

Condition: Very Fine Used with cancellation

Paper: Watermark

Abstract the Check Items:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Checklist Points:

No	Visibility	Remark
	Bottom Chord
1.	The Four diamond hatching.	Yes
2.	‘O’ of ‘HOPE’ is slightly higher than H, P & E.	Yes
3.	White line insides ‘D’ of ‘GOOD’.	Yes
4.	Serif of the ‘G’ of ‘GOOD” extends beyond the Top Serif to the right.	Yes
5.	A dot of colour appeared just below to the right of the ‘F’ of ‘OF’.	Yes
6.	A large patch of colour inside of the ‘C’ of ‘CAPE’.	Yes
	Top Right Chord
8.	A distinctive cross is appeared in the pattern.	Yes
9.	The 4-ray spines nearly touch the ends of the bottom ornaments.	Yes
10.	Serif of the ‘G’ of ‘POSTAGE” extends beyond the Top Serif.	Yes
11.	The centre ornament have an outer ring and a solid inner bullseye.	Yes
	Top Left Chord
12.	The rainbow pattern of hatching.	Yes
	Centre Frame
12.	The toes of right leg are 5.	Yes
13.	The digits of the right hand.	Yes
14.	A small dot very close to the forehand.	Yes
15.	Several boomerang shape in the background @ 3 dots.	Yes
16.	The tip (bill) of the anchor.	Yes
17.	The shadow of the anchor and the bottom tip that pointing to the 2nd ‘O’ of ‘GOOD’.	Yes
	SCORE	17/17

Finding: A Nice Genuine Stamp