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Why should I join a Specialty Society or Study Group?

Posted by Anna-Vija McClain on

Philately has been a life-long passion for me, but only in the last 10-15 years have I clearly understood the value of joining a specialty stamp society or study group.  These societies provide an invaluable amount of information for the specialty collector.  The leadership of these groups is usually poised to help out eager collectors further their knowledge in a specific area. Having started out as a Latin American & Canal Zone collector and now a full-time dealer with similar specialties, I have joined groups such as the Nicaragua Study Group, COPAPHIL, SOCORICO and Canal Zone Study Group.  Not only...

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Interesting Varieties from Santander Colombia

Posted by Anna-Vija McClain on

Interesting Varieties from Santander Colombia

There are many interesting varieties present in Colombian stamps, particularly in the early 1900s.     The following are graphical representations of some of these.   Provisional Surcharges of 1907 on Stamps of 1904: This stamp was printed in sheets of twenty-eight and subsequently the surcharge was applied in 1907.  There are many varieties.  See below for a partial list of noted, consistent plating varieties. CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE There are 3 different font types and combinations.  They differ not only in the "UN", but also in the "Cvo" - examples of these different types can be found at the following...

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This is Why I Love Philately!

Posted by Anna-Vija McClain on

This is Why I Love Philately!

Hours of enjoyment come from this hobby, even when you are a dealer.  Last evening I was breaking down a collection from El Salvador and came upon a very interesting stamp.  I came upon a series of official stamps that had two examples of one denomination.  The stamp is Scott #O331, a 12c brown National Palace issue, with "OFICIAL" overprinted diagonally.  The collector indicated that the second was a darker color shade variety.  I looked at it and it also appeared to be at first glance just a darker version of the brown color.   However, after closer inspection, the...

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Forgeries of Early Mexico

Posted by Anna-Vija McClain on

Forgeries of Early Mexico

In our last post we showed the two stamps below and indicated the one was a forgery.  The one on the left is the original and the other the forgery. Here are some of the differences that we were able to come up with.  There are numerous others but, we thought these allowed for quick identification.  Take a look and have fun!

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Forgeries of Early Mexico

Posted by Anna-Vija McClain on

Forgeries of Early Mexico

While putting together some Mexico listings this past week I came across a grouping of relatively common issues from 1864, depicting Hidalgo... often called the "Juarez Issue".  It is a handsome series, engraved, and perforated 12.  The vast majority exist unused and without overprints and are thus relatively inexpensive.  There are numerous forged cancellations.  What caught my eye though, as I was putting together the lots, was that one of them "didn't look right." Pictured below are two 4 Real Brown side by side.  See how many differences you can come up with.  First, figure out which one is the...

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