Sicily

1859 Issue 1859 Issue ½g, 5g, 10g, 20g and 50g

Sperati made reproductions of five denominations of the 1859 Ferdinand II issue; the ½g (2 types), 5g (4 types), 10g, 20g and 50g (3 types). The genuine stamps were engraved while the reproductions were produced by photo-lithography including all cancels.

page thumbnails:

1859 Issue ½g - Type A

1. the left side of the "A" of "DELLA" is not joined at the top

2. there is a dot in the right serif at the foot of the upright of "R" of "GR"

1. there is a weakness in outer frameline below the "R" of "GR"

2. there is a white spot in the field to the right of the letter second "L" in "DELLA" (this flaw also occurs on genuine plate II, position 2)

1. there is an upwards scratch running from the lower left serif of the "T" in "POSTA"

2. the left side of the "A" of "DELLA" is broken near the top

as Type A except with additional spot of color in cheek

as type A but with additional dot of color in the white interspace inside left outer frameline near top corner

1.  there is a prominent vertical scratch under the "LL" of "BOLLO"

2. there is a white nick in the bottom frameline below the serif of the "R"

1. there is a spot of color in the inner white frame above the letter "R" of "GR"

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"

Tests (i), (iii) and (iv) identify the sheet position of the genuine stamp.

1. the bottom of the bust is joined to the inner white frame by a white line just above the "R" of "GR"

2. there is a diagonal line of color through the left side of the "0" of "50" (also identifies sheet position of the genuine stamp)

this is a transfer of reproduction A and the same tests apply, the difference being a more worn impression of the top left corner

1. the white spaces in the design are full of minute spots of color

2. there is no horizontal stroke to the "A" of "SICILIA."

3. the right lower side of the figure "5" is shaded

additional information from Sperati I:  Plate 64 & Plate 65   Sicily Text

Richard Frajola (May 15, 2020)