Sardinia

1851 Issue 5c and 40c
1855-1861 Issues 5c, 10c, 20c, 40c, 80c and 3l frames only

For the 1851 issue of Sardinia, Sperati made reproductions of the Sc (1 type) and 40c (2 types). Everything about these was made by Sperati including forged cancels.

For the 1855 - 1861 issue inverted heads, Sperati made his reproductions by preserving the genuine embossed heads and cancels when he decolored the genuine stamps. He then printed his forged frames inverted to the genuine embossed heads. Reproduction are known of the Sc (3 types), 10c (2 types), 20c (3 types) and 80c. Negative exist at the Paris Museum for the 40c and 3 lire frames.

page thumbnails:

1851 Issue 5c

1. there are two white spots in the leaf ornament in top left corner

2. there is a break extending downward from the "5" of "05"

1. a weakness in the background between the bottom of the letters "T" and "E" of "POSTE"

2. there is a small scratch upwards from the "B" of "BOLLA"

3. the right leg of the "R" of "QUARANTA" is too stubby

1. there is a small scratch upwards from the "B" of "BOLLA"

2. the right leg of the "R" of "QUARANTA" is too stubby

(an image working proof that shows characteristics better is here)

1855 - 1861 Issue 5c, 10c, 20c, 40c, 80c and 3 lire frames only

Sperati's technique for making the Sardinia "inverted heads" was novel. Instead of forging the embossed head, he used genuine stamps, cleaned off the designs and added new frames upside-down. His process retained the genuine cancels on the heads and he forged cancels on his new frames to match. All postmarks on the pieces and covers are genuine.

Two of Robson Lowe's original pages, ex Walske, showing four very deceptive covers are imaged here and here.

1. there is a dot of color in the field above the top left corner ornament

2. the ornament above the "I" of "CINQ" is joined at the point to the colored background below

(a proof in the color of the 40c, not known as a reproduction, is here)

1. the top right corner is joined to the top frameline by a short line

2. there is a small white line below and between the "N" and "C" of "FRANCO"

(with normal 10c)

1. the upper left point of the right triangular ornament is joined to the top of the oval surround below the "TE" of "POSTE"

2. the bottom frameline of the lower triangular ornaments at bottom are joined to oval surround frameline

1. the top straight frameline of triangle at top left does not join the curved line 2. the left vertical frameline of triangle at top left does join the curved line

2. there is a spot of color in the right inner frameline opposite the "IA" of "SICILIA" (occurs also on genuine stamp from position 16)

1. the bottom left serifs of the "R" of "GR" slope upwards to the right and are shorter than the right side

2. there is a spot of color in the bottom of the "0" of "20"

1. the central leaf in trefoil ornament at top left is a small dot

2. there is a break in the curved side of top left corner ornament opposite the foot of the "C" of "FRANCO"

1. the top left triangular left is joined to the inner oval just below the "E" of "POSTE"

2. there is a small nick in the background below the first "L" of "BOLLA"

1. there are nicks on the inside of the right frameline at a level slightly above the "B" of "BOLLO"

2. there is a flaw in the left frame where it joins the top frame

1. all four corner ornaments touch the frames containing them

2. the first "L" of "BOLLO" has two white dots below the right end of its foot and there is a weakness in the background SE of the second "O"

3. the "R" of "FRANCO" has a colorless dot attached to the left side of its right leg

4. in "QUARANTA" the "U" has two colorless spurs attached to its right side and the right top arm of the "T" is extended to the NE and thickened below

1. there is a break in the horizontal side of the upper left triangle below the "P" of "POSTE"

2. there is a small break in the inner oval above the "TT" of "OTTANTA"

1. in "L POSTE.3" the "L" has a colored dot in its heel, the "O" has a colored dot at its NW edge and is pinched at its NE, the "E" is doubled on the top right of its vertical stroke and the "3" has a colorless dot above the end of its lower limb and a colored dot at the bottom right of this limb

2. the second "L" of "BOLLO" has a colorless dot above the right end of its lower leg, the first "O" is fattened on the inside at its left, and the second "O" has a colorless dot inside on its left

3. the "E" of "LIRE" has a colored dot in its lower limb

additional information from Sperati I:  Plate 62 & Plate 63 & Plate 67  Sardinia Text
additional information from Sperati II:   Sardinia Text

Richard Frajola (May 15, 2020)