The genuine originals and the Reprint II printed from Die I have "secret marks", a scratch of color above the first "k" of "k.k." and a dot 2.5 mm SW of "G" and another 3 mm SE of "t" in the word Gesellschaft". The secret marks have been removed from Reprint III, but a shadow remains. There are no secret marks on the forgeries or Reprint I.


April 15, 1866, Genuine, Michel #1A
Odessa, Russia cancel

1.) Perf 12, Original
2.) Type 3 (scar at 9:00 o'clock at left anchor ring)

Exp. APS cert. 187512
Plating info: T. Balm

Forgery 1 per Hurt & Kelly

1.) Perf 12.5
2.) No dot after value
3.)No shading in anchors
4.) "7" has a curly top and round bottom

Exp: T. Balm

April 15, 1866, Genuine, Michel #1A
Calafat, Romania cancel

1.) Another Perf 12, Original
2.) Type 3 (scar at left anchor ring)

Exp: T. Balm

Forgery 2 per Hurt & Kelly

1.) Perf 13 or imperf.
2.) Tall letters touch inner oval
3.) 17-kr. red also exists on this forgery.

Exp: T. Balm

April 15, 1866, Genuine,
Michel #1A
Lom Palaka, Bulgaria cancel

1.) Perf 12 original
2.) Type I (slightly flat top on "c" of Dampfschiffahrt, also flat top on "s".

Exp: T. Balm

Forgery 3 per Hurt & Kelly

1.) Perf 11.5 (clean cut) or imperf.
2.) Crossbars on t's and f's go only to the right
3.) Vertical leg of "7" is curved
4.) Tops of "f's" are rounded (like Die II)

Exp: T. Balm

April 15, 1866, Genuine with natural paper crease,
Michel #1A
Rustzuk, Bulgaria cancel

1.) Perf 12 original
2.) Type 8 (hairline mark beneath thin line under "a" of Donau, also weak break in thin line under "Da" of Dampf.

Exp: T. Balm

1878, Reprint I,

1.) Rough perf 9.5
2.) All the "f's" have rounded tops. This is Die II

Exp: T. Balm

 

 

1880, Reprint II, All mail service had ceased by 1880
Printed for sale to collectors

1.) Rough perf 9.5.
2.) Printed from original Die I
3.) Type 3 (scar at left anchor
4.) secret marks still remain

Exp: T. Balm

Circa 1900, Reprint III,
Printed for sale to collectors

1.) Clean cut perf 9.5
2.) Printed from original Die I
3.) Type 3 (scar at left anchor
4.) secret marks have been removed
5.) Color of this reprint is brighter than the originals

Exp: T. Balm

 

 

Circa 1900, Reprint III,
Printed for sale to collectors

1.) Clean cut perf 9.5
2.) Printed from original Die I
3.) Type 2 (down stroke of "s" of Erste is thinner)
4.) secret marks have been removed
5.) Color of this reprint is brighter than the originals

Exp: T. Balm