Zurich

1843 Issue 4r and 6r (five types of each)

Sperati made reproductions of all five types of the genuine the 4r and 6r Zurich cantonal stamps. Everything about them was made by Sperati and all cancels are printed forgeries. Image of the 4r genuine strip of five types is here, 6r genuine strip of five types is here, both courtesy of Joseph Hackmey.

Please see the individual mounted pages for the background information for each issue. A pdf file of the six pages is here.

page thumbnails:

1. there are two small dots in the left horizontal of the "4" and a black dot in the left serif of the "4"

2. the letters "axe" of "Taxe" are weak at the bottom

(images are examples of the horizontal and vertical background lines)

1. the left side of the "R" of "ZURICH is shorter than on the right side

2. there is a heavy dot in the center of the "C" of "ZURICH"

(this type exists in two states)

1. there is a break in the diagonal line of the "4" (both states)

2. a hairline of color traverses the "R" of "ZURICH" (second state only, shown at left from Sperati I)

1. there is a break in the thick outer frame line at right below corner square

2. there is a dent in the thick frameline at left about one-third distant from top

(this type exists in two states)

1. there is a white spot in the loop of the "a" of "Taxe" (both states)

2. there are no visible bottom serifs to the "I" of "ZURICH" (both states)

3. there is a thin black line projecting downwards into the head of the "4" (second state only)

 1. there is a nick in the thick frameline below the "a" of "Cantonal" and a white flaw below the "T" of "Taxe"

2. there is a heavy retouch in the crosshatching left of the "6" at level where the loop closes

 1. there is a flaw in the right upright of the "H" of "ZURICH"

2. there is no white space between the top of the "T" of "Taxe" and the thick line above

1. there are white spots in the interior shading of the "6" above the point where the loop joins and at top of the ball

2. there is a white projection where the loop joins that extents downward from the joint

 1. there top panel with "ZURICH" is twisted instead of level

2. there is a white spot in the interior shading of the "6" above the point where the loop joins

1. there is a white spot in the head of the "T" of "Taxe"

2. there are white spots in the interior shading of the "6" above the point where the loop joins and on top curve

additional information from Sperati I:  Plates 91-106  Switzerland Text

Richard Frajola (May 19, 2020)