Gibraltar

Group 1 - Bermuda designs used to make Gibraltar overprints
2d for 1886 overprints (2 types)
4d for 1886 overprints (3 types)
6d for 1886 overprints (4 types)
1sh for 1886 overprints (3 types)

Group 2 - Gibraltar designs for reproductions without overprints
1886 (December) Issues 4d (3 types), 6d (2 types) and 1s (2 types)
1889 Issue 75c

Sperati reproduced the 1886 issue 2d, 4d, 6d and 1s overprints on his Bermuda reproductions. This group Includes five types that were first reported in Sperati II. Genuine stamps that have been decolored were used and the cancels forged.

It appears to this author that all of the overprints are forged. It is possible that some may be genuine overprints retained but none of the 20+ I have examined have the bite associated with the genuine when viewed from the back. Having said that, it is possible that the evidence of the bite was pressed out in the washing process used by Sperati.

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Group 1 - Bermuda designs used to make Gibraltar overprints

Bermuda 2d - Type A

1. immediately below the eye there is a break through four horizontal lines

2. there is a white dot in the ornament to right of value table just above the ball

1. the left outer frameline has white lines over entire length

2. the outer frame line at bottom has a break directly below the "E" of "PENCE

1. the sixth shading line from the bottom has a break 1mm from the right edge

2. two shading lines are broken just in front of the crown

(the only reported example)

1. the outer frameline above the "R" of "BERMUDA has an irregular white patch

2. the top edge of the outer frame line below the "E" of "PENCE" has a nick

1. the side "angle" ornament at left has two petals that join

2. the side "angle" ornament at right has two petals that do not join

1. the side "angle" ornament at left has two petals that join

2. the side "angle" ornament at right has two petals that just touch

(image of reproduction from Robson Lowe collection)

1. there is a strong diagonal shading line in front of the neck

2. the lower limb of the "E" of "PENCE" has its end cut on the diagonal
 

1. The top line of the "B" in "BERMUDA" has an irregular bottom

2. the right upright of the "U" in "BERMUDA" is pinched in near top on both sides

(photoprint of an composite item in Robson Lowe collection)

1. there is a colorless spot in the solid background in the top right corner

2. there are several white spots in the left frameline

1. there is a break in the third and fourth lines of shading below the eye

2. the second and third lines of shading from the point of the neck on the right side of the base of the bust are broken

3. ther3 is a tiny break in the fifth line of shading below the "M" of "BERMUDA"

1.  the "G" of "SHILLING" does not have the vertical post at right

2. there is a thin horizontal white line inside the outer frameline at bottom that is most visible under the "ONE"

1. the "G" of "SHILLING" has two wiggly white lines trailing from top circle

2. there is a white dimple on the nose where the fourth shading line from the tip joins

Group 2 - Gibraltar designs for reproductions without overprints

1. there is a fine white line breaking the frameline above the letters ""BR" of "GIBRALTAR"

2. the letters "GIBRALT" are noticeably weaker and more porous than the "AR" that follow

1. the right upright of the "N" of "PENCE" is closer to frameline above it than other letters

2. there is a white flaw breaking the 8th and 9th shading line in front of the neck

1. the "UR" of "FOUR" appear to be slightly higher than the other letters

2. On the first "R" of "GIBRALTAR" there is a white dot where the leg of the "R" joins the oval

1. there is a small nick and a colorless spot in the head of the "T" of "GIBRALTAR"

2. the is a small colored ball at the top right corner junction

1. the last "E" of "PENCE" is defective in the center

2. the vertical of the "P" of "PENCE" is thicker at top left side where the loop joins

1. the point of the bust has been retouched leaving a larger white space than normal

2. there is general weakness in the top portions of the letters of value

1. the top shading lines are joined near their left ends

2. the first shading line below the bottom of the chin does not touch the neck line

1. edges of the "CENTIMOS" letters are too ragged

2. there is a kink in the frameline to the left of the value tablet

additional information from Sperati I:  Plate 6   Plate 7   Gibraltar Text
additional information from Sperati II:  Plate A   Gibraltar Text

Richard Frajola (May 8, 2020)