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(1.) All genuine Samoa #1-8 are perforated either 12 or 12.5 per Frank Aretz "Know Your Stamps". Any other gauge is a forgery. (2.) On all genuine stamps the "swan neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner look like Sketch A. (3.) Any stamp with a small dot under the "M" of Samoa is a reprint. (4.) All stamps on which the "swan neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner look like Sketches B and C are forgeries.
Samoa Genuine« Back
Frank Aretz Sketch A from his book "Know Your Stamps"
(1.) "Swan Neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner on Genuine stamps.
Frank Aretz sketch of the dot under the "M" of Samoa from his book "Know Your Stamps"
(1.) If this dot is under the "M" of Samoa, even if the perfs are correct, it is a reprint.
1880 Samoa #1, Type IV, Reprint
(1.) Perf 12 x imperf at the bottom. (2.) Type IV (reprint) with a small dot under the "M" of Samoa. (3.) Exp:do. (4.) Ref: Frank Aretz book "Know Your Stamps".
Samoa Forgery
Frank Aretz Sketch B from his book "Know Your Stamps"
"Swan Neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner on some of the Forgeries.
Frank Aretz Sketch C from his book "Know Your Stamps"
"Swan Neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner on some of the Forgeries.
Samoa #1, Forgery
(1.) Perforated 11.25 on all four sides. (2.) Frank Aretz Sketch B "Swan Neck" ornament at the right end of the value banner. (3.) Exp:do. (4.) Ref: Frank Aretz book "Know Your Stamps".