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The genuine originals and Reprint II printed from Die I have "secret marks", a scratch of color above the first "k" of "k.k." and a dot 2.5 mm SW of "G" and another 3 mm SE of "t" in the word "Gesellschaft". The "secret marks" have been removed from Reprint III, but a shadow remains. There are no "secret marks" on Reprint I or on the forgeries.
Austria, Danube Steam Navigation Company (DDSG) Genuine« Back
April 15, 1866, DDSG, Michel #1A, used, Genuine original, Odessa, Russia cancel
(1.) Perf 12 original. (2.) Type 3 (scar at 9:00 o'clock at left anchor ring). (3.) Exp: APS cert. Plating Info: T. Balm.
April 15, 1866, DDSG, Michel #1A, used, Genuine original, Calafat, Romania cancel
(1.) Another perf 12 original. (2.) Type 3 (scar at 9:00 o'clock at the left anchor ring). (3.) Exp: T.Balm
April 15, 1866, DDSG, Michel #1A, Genuine original, Lom Palaka, Bulgaria cancel
(1.) Perf 12 original. (2.) Type 1 (slightly flat top on "c" of Dampfschiffahrt, also flat top on "s"). (3.) Exp: T.Balm
April 15, 1866, DDSG, Michel #1A, used, Genuine original with a natural paper crease, Rustzuk, Bulgaria cancel
(1.) Perf 12 original. (2.) Type 8 (hairline mark beneath thin line under "a" of Donau, also weak break in thin line under "Da" of Dampf. (3.) Exp: T.Balm
1878, DDSG, Reprint I
(1.) Rough perf 9.5. (2.) Die II. All the "f's" have rounded tops. (3.) Exp: T.Balm
1880, DDSG, Reprint II, All mail service had ceased by 1880. This was printed for sale to collectors.
(1.) Rough perf 9.5. (2.) Printed from the original Die I. (3.) Type 3 (scar at the left anchor ring). (4.) Secret marks still remain. (5.) Exp: T.Balm
1900, DDSG, Reprint III, Printed for sale to collectors.
(1.) Clean cut perf 9.5. (2.) Printed from the original Die I. (3.) Type 3 (scar at the left anchor ring). (4.) Secret marks have been removed. (5.) Color of this reprint is brighter than the originals. (6.) Exp: T.Balm
1900, DDSG, Another reprint III, Printed for sale to collectors
(1.) Clean cut perfs 9.5. (2.) Printed from the original Die I. (3.) Type 2 (down stroke of the "s" of Erste is thinner). (4.) Secret marks have been removed. (5.) Color of this reprint is brighter that the originals. (6.) Exp: T.Balm.
Austria, Danube Steam Navigation Company (DDSG) Forgery
DDSG, Forgery 1, per Hurt & Kelly
(1.) Perf 12.5. (2.) No dot after the value. (3.) No shading in the anchors. (4.) "7" has a curly top and a round bottom. (5.) Exp: T.Balm
DDSG, Forgery 2, per Hurt & Kelly
(1.) Perf 13 or imperf. (2.) Tall letters touch the inner oval. (3.) 17-kr. red exists on this forgery also. (4.) Exp: T.Balm.
DDSG, Forgery 3, per Hurt & Kelly
(1.) Clean cut perf 11.5 or imperf. (2.) Cross bars on t's and f's go only to the right. (3.) Vertical leg of the "7" is curved. (4.) Tops of the "f's" are rounded (like Die II). (5.) Exp: T.Balm