Italian Inverted Effigy: A Rarity Stamp

Inverted Effigy Kingdom of Italy

Issued 1863

Mint Light Hinged
Trivial soiling on the surface

The inverted effigy depicting King Victor, one of the rarest stamps of Kingdom of Italy. It was printed in 1863 with face value of 15 centesimi, Deep Blue colour shades, Scott #22a, head embossed, lithographed, imperforation and CV $65,000 (Used), whereas Mint without CV.  

In Philately history, a part of Sardinia stamps after 17^th. March 1861 was used as Italian postage stamps so-called “francobollo” under Italian unification. Thus, those stamps printed after 17^th. March 1861 were considered as the first stamps of Italy.

From March 1861 until end 1863, the postage stamps were produced by Sparre.  Due to the reduction of the rate for simple letters from 20 Centesimi to 15 Centesimi, the Italian government assigned Matraire to produce this new face value on 31^st. December, 1863, which was not used for Sardinia postage.

There were 2 techniques of printing stamps either frame & embossed image simultaneously or embossed singularly by hand using a tool so-called “stanhope”, according Italian philately. High likely, variety errors can be occurred during embossed singularly such as double, triple, missing, shifted and inverted effigies, there were also printing unclear, partially and offsets. Due to Catastrophic error, in the Scott catalogue, the inverted effigy is most spectacular with highest CV amongst the others.

The above stamp to be examined either it is a genuine or forgery. The studies are merely based on the international philatelies information which may useful to determine the authenticity of the stamp.

Colour

Various colour shades had been produced since January 1857 for the Sardinia Stamps such as Grey Blue (1/1857), Ultramarine (2/1857), Indigo (4/1857), Cobalt (8/1857), Deep Blue (3/1859), Grey Blue (4/1860), Very Deep Blue (11/1860), Blue (1/1861), Cobalt shades (1/1861), Ultramarine (1861), Indigo (8/1861) and Metallic Indigo (9/1861).

The inverted stamp colour is Deep Blue.

Secret Sign

Every face values of the early stamps having their owned secret signs. This also could be identified when analysing the stamps.

Long Crack Line

By using scanner with setting contrast of 600 dpi that applying to the stamp, the particular technical trick has been explored. A very long crack line is visible and this phenomenon was happen during printing process most probably caused by steel fusion defects. This is very interesting treasure point prior to determine either it's a genuine or forged stamp.

Similar to the 10 centesimi value, the letter ‘T’ of ‘POSTE’ was shifted upside, slightly higher than other letters.

Similar to the 5 Centesimi value, the ornament at the 4 oval corner of the stamps does not equal distance and it's always more distance at the upper right corner. Also horizontal upper line of the ornament was discontinuous.

On the other hand, the last ‘O’ on ‘BOLLO’ at upper right of the frame, having inking defects. The printing quality was not so precise comparing to the previous issues. This might be due to a new technique of the lithographed had been adopted instead of the typographed for the early issues.

The acceptance is unknown either its a genuine, essay, proof or else a forgery stamp, therefore the entire stamp is still in unused condition with trivial soiling, perhaps rare and gorgeous, if genuine.

Head Embossed

Reverse
Embossed line, aged gum

Analysis by applied a grey colour scanning, a pin hole appears in black dotted. The paper is thin with acceptable quality, possibility could not be a printer waste paper. The embossed line  of the head is very clear and precise.

A Pin Hole (Reverse)

Comparison

 1863 Italy, 15c, Azzurro Scuro Usato, Blue, Scott #22, Lithographed, Imperf., Genuine Used, Error * Lines On Neck

CV $87.50 (M)/$50.00(U)

 1863 Italy, 15c, Azzurro Scuro Usato, Deep Blue, Scott #22a, Lithographed, Imperf., Mint, Error * Inverted Head

1. Both 'O' of 'POSTE' broken on top serif.

2. Both dots unclear of the outer frame.

3. Both back neck distance around 4 mm.

4. Both back head almost touch the oval.

5. Both embossed with different appearance and errors. 

6. Both paper type similar. 

7. Face value '15' similar between each other.  
8. Embossed method, #22 used simultaneously whereas #22a used singularly.

Conclusion

Refer to the Scott Catalogue, forgeries of the inverted had been made by applying faked head embossing to printer’s waste without head. These forgeries are plentiful and majority of mint stamps are fake. Hence, conforming authenticity is very crucial matter for the beginner, an expert opinion is sought.