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Congo was an independent state, founded by Leopold II of Belgium, until 1908 when it was annexed to Belgium as a colony. Stamps from the Independent State Leopold II in profile, 1886, no’s 1-5 Design: H.Hendrick Engraving: A. Doms (Zegelfabriek te Mechelen) Printer: “Atelier du Timbre” in Malines Perforation: 15 Sheet: 3 sheets of 50 Circulation: No.1 (5c), 120,000 stamps No.2 (10c), 90,000 stamps No.3 (25c), 60,000 stamps No.4 (50c), 60,000 stamps No.5 (5f), 4,800* stamps (including the overprint Colis Postaux) * According to Gallant/Huyghebaert this number should be 4,900
Variations in light to darker are known for the numbers 1, 2, 4 & 5. No.5 a perforation: 14 and 15 exist. Varieties in COB: 1-V 5c A in Etat and first O in Congo is broken (stamp no 40 in the sheet) 2-V 10c the outer line in the right top corner is broken. (Position no 50 in the sheet)
3-V 25c misshaped U in the word DU. (Stamp no 30 in the sheet) 4-V 50c Cungo instead of Congo. (Stamp no 5 in the sheet)
5-V the N is extended in the word IND (left top of stamp) (Stamp no 38 in the sheet) Curiosity: 2-CU 10c vertically lined Several varieties are not listed in the COB Here an example of tonsure (a white spot in the hair)
No.5 Non perforated:
Forgeries and unauthorized impressions: I would like to limit myself to a few examples with a meager explanation. I shall refer to various publications, which have appeared on this subject. There are three ‘famous’ Belgium Congo forgers (although they were not restricted to Belgium Congo only). Fournier, François (1846-1917):
Lenoir: Lenoir was a retired police commandant who, after 1918, printed stamps with the original engraved plates. (More info on the person Lenoir would by highly appreciated). The Lenoir reprints were originally produced in un-gummed, imperforate sheets of ten*. Many were later gummed and perforated with a line perforator or by hand and easily distinguishable from the Harrow machine were which the original perforation is done. * Sheets are known for the COB numbers 1-5, and 9-13B.
Sperati, Jean (1884-1957): Sperati began his career in stamp fakery at an early age in the city of Pisa. By the time he was 26 years of age, the business, now a family enterprise, was well underway and thriving. At this time, around 1910, his first fake quietly appeared at a Berlin auction. The unsuspecting victim at that sale was Dr. Heinrich Koehler, a leading German dealer whose highly respected firm still flourishes today. By 1954, at the age of 70 and with failing eyesight he was made an offer he couldn't refuse. The British Philatelic Association (BPA) - anxious to stop Sperati for good - simply bought him out! SEE: http://www.gnomevillage.com/gnews/StampNews/Sperati.asp Bibliography: Balasse,
Willy Cowman,
A.R. Describes
two forgeries of the 5fr. Philatelic Magazine, 8 August 1925. De
Haene, A. Etudes sur
les Faux Timbres d’Europe. 1926. Denuemoistier,
Eliane Stein,
G. Vervisch,
Roger Widdershoven,
M.G. Describes
and illustrates a forgery of the 5F, in La Revue Postale, February 1925. See also (only in French): http://users.skynet.be/chst/falsification.htm |
