Tonga

1893 Issue 4p, 8p and 1s

Sperati made reproductions of three Tonga overprinted stamps. They have only been found as color proofs but finished reproductions may exist.

1893 Issue 4p

1. there are white spots on background are where there is solid color in the genuine

2. there are many breaks in the horizontal shading lines

(image courtesy Bryan Dunne)

(image of genuine courtesy David Benson)

1893 Issue 8p

1. the horizontal shading particularly on the forehead and top corners are weak

2. there are white spots on background are where there is solid color in the genuine

(image courtesy Bryan Dunne)

(image of genuine courtesy David Benson)

2. the top frameline appears to be retouched at left and for a short space on the right, the second line merges with the frameline

(image courtesy Bryan Dunne)

(image of genuine courtesy David Benson)

additional information from Sperati I:  Plate 21    Tonga Text

Richard Frajola (May 7, 2020)