Canada

1851 Issue 12d (a single copy made to order)
1859 Issue 17c Trials (essays only)

When Sperati I was published there were no reproductions of Canada stamps known. The 1851 issue 12d stamp was made by Sperati as a custom, special order in 1953. It was made from a genuine 12d "SPECIMEN" overprinted stamp by removing the overpint. He also manipulated the paper so that it now has the correct vertical laid lines of the original. The cancel is forged.

Trials of the 1859 issue perforated 17c were discovered in his archives. They exist printed on paper and as trail exposures on photopaper.

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(ex Ken Pugh)

1851 Issue 12d

This was a made by Sperati as a special order for Vincent Graves Greene. It was made from an altered plate proof with "SPECIMEN" overprint removed and then re-backed with paper that has laid lines that are more narrowly spaced than on the genuine. The cancel is forged.

The model for the forged cancel was clipped image of a 3d on cover from a philatelic magazine found in Sperati's notebook (here). The weakness at foot of cancel in the image is repeated on the forged cancel.

One of perhaps four or five known working proofs on crisp white paper as shown at left. In addition, an unknown number of trail exposures exist (see mounted collection page).

additional information from Sperati II:   Canada Text

Richard Frajola (May 1, 2020)