Help identify this stamp?

Hello people...

To begin with, I'm really sorry if I break any rules with my post -I'm
not familiar with this newsgroup, I'm merely posting on behalf of an
older family friend who's not really used to the net.

Well, this friend found out this stamp in his collection. From what I
understand, it may be quite rare, depending on whether it's got a line
around the red shield. On his stamp, there is a lining, however it's
rather faint and off the mark, so he'd like to know whether this is
qualified as the rare version or not. COuld you please help me -him-0?
Also, is there an estimate about its value?

You can take a look at the stamp he
http://www.ezgoo.net/0105Stamp001.jpg
http://www.ezgoo.net/0105Stamp004.jpg

Kind regards
P.T.

"George Stathopoulos" skrev i en meddelelse
om...
Hello people...

To begin with, I'm really sorry if I break any rules with my post -I'm
not familiar with this newsgroup, I'm merely posting on behalf of an
older family friend who's not really used to the net.

Welcome to the group, and no need to be sorry for your question which is
within the scope of the group :-)

Well, this friend found out this stamp in his collection. From what I
understand, it may be quite rare, depending on whether it's got a line
around the red shield. On his stamp, there is a lining, however it's
rather faint and off the mark, so he'd like to know whether this is
qualified as the rare version or not. COuld you please help me -him-0?
Also, is there an estimate about its value?

I can say for sure that both stamps are early Swiss issues. If you speak
French, you might also want to post your question on the French philatelic
newsgroup: news:fr.rec.philatelie where there are specialists in Swiss
stamps.


You can take a look at the stamp he
http://www.ezgoo.net/0105Stamp001.jpg
http://www.ezgoo.net/0105Stamp004.jpg

Best regards
--
Ann Mette Heindorff (Mette)
return address invalid -- contact me through
heindorffstamps at yahoo dot dk
http://www.arthistos.frac.dk
http://www.xs4all.nl/~pkv/slania
http://www.dkchristmasseals.frac.dk

Mette wrote :
...........
I can say for sure that both stamps are early Swiss issues. If you
speak French, you might also want to post your question on the French
philatelic newsgroup: news:fr.rec.philatelie where there are
specialists in Swiss stamps.


Hello George

I am not at all a specialist of stamps from Switzerland, but I can tell
you that there are more than 40 different varieties within this first
small set of stamps (the 1st ones issued by the Federal Post in
1850-1851).

After a quick look, this stamp may be either :

- Yvert NR 20 Catalog value (used as this one) : 130 Euros
or
- Yvert NR 21 Catalog value (used as this one) : 125,000 Euros !!!
(Stamp unknowned "mint" i;e; "unused")

The catalog NRs of these stamps are (respectively) :
Yvert 20 = Zumstein 17 II = Michel 9 II = Scott 10
Yvert 21 = Zumstein 17 I = Michel 9 I = Scott 11

This stamps seems to be the rare one, BUT there are *many* fakes made up
by adding a forged blue frame around the cross of a "common" stamp

In any case, your friend should submit this stamp to a very reputable
*expert* on Swiss stamps.
(The stamp *itself* and not a picture)

If you wish I have a good friend who knows quite well the Swiss
philately ; I am sure he will be able to give me for you the 2 or 3
names of the best (i.e. trusworthy) experts on Swiss stamps.

Note that an expertization it is not very expensive : generally, there
is a low fixed price plus a percentage of the value of the stamp. If the
stamp is a forgery, this % is not paid ; if the stamp is genuine, it
does not matter to give to the expert a few % of 125,000 Euros (and
generally, the expert may, on request, try to find a buyer or organize
an auction to sell the valuable stamp)

HTH

If you prefer, you may write me directly (in English or in French, but
not in Greek : I learned Ancient Greek 50 years ago and nearly
everything is lost apart from the ability to read the Greek alphabet -
without understanding the words ...)

--
All the best,
Pierre Courtiade
Paris (France)


to answer me, please replace NOSPAM by my family name

"Pierre Courtiade" wrote in message ...

Hello George

Hello, and thanks for your in-depth reply, I found it most
enlightening...

After a quick look, this stamp may be either :

- Yvert NR 20 Catalog value (used as this one) : 130 Euros
or
- Yvert NR 21 Catalog value (used as this one) : 125,000 Euros !!!
(Stamp unknowned "mint" i;e; "unused")

Yes, that's why the guy told me: either it's a common one, or a pretty
expensive one... That's why he wants to know about the line. Thanks
for the catalog info as well; I do guess he's had this info, so I have
to apologise for putting you in extra trouble by omitting to post it
here...

This stamps seems to be the rare one, BUT there are *many* fakes made up
by adding a forged blue frame around the cross of a "common" stamp

Ahh, getting interesting, now. Do you have any idea as to when the
fake ones were made? As I said, he most probably picked it up when he
was studying in Switzerland in the sixties (then again I'm only
guessing here, maybe he picked it up later, but having lived in S. is
a hint)

In any case, your friend should submit this stamp to a very reputable
*expert* on Swiss stamps.
(The stamp *itself* and not a picture)

Yes, most probably, and I guess that's what he's ultimately going to
do. The reasoning behind me posting here was that if someone dismissed
this as a dud, he wouldn't have to do that...

If you wish I have a good friend who knows quite well the Swiss
philately ; I am sure he will be able to give me for you the 2 or 3
names of the best (i.e. trusworthy) experts on Swiss stamps.

You mean in Greece?

Note that an expertization it is not very expensive : snipped

Again, thanks a lot for the info. I guess he's aware about the
procedures, but I appreciate it anyway...

If you prefer, you may write me directly (in English or in French, but
not in Greek : I learned Ancient Greek 50 years ago and nearly
everything is lost apart from the ability to read the Greek alphabet -
without understanding the words ...)

I appreciate the offer, I may contact you about the names. English or
french is ok, I could even throw some italian in it to spice it up;
ancient greek (depending on the dialect) may be quite different from
modern greek, anyways

Again, thanks for the reply and your time...

Kind regards
PT

George Stathopoulos a écrit :
...............
(snipped for brevity)

This stamps seems to be the rare one, BUT there are *many* fakes
made up by adding a forged blue frame around the cross of
a "common" stamp

Ahh, getting interesting, now. Do you have any idea as to when the
fake ones were made? ..............

Unfortunately I don't : most of the catalogs mention the existence of
forgeries ; in consequence, one should be very cautious with these
stamps. But I have no dates :-(

.................
If you wish I have a good friend who knows quite well the Swiss
philately ; I am sure he will be able to give me for you the 2 or 3
names of the best (i.e. trustworthy) experts on Swiss stamps.

You mean in Greece?

No, I am afraid that in Greece there may be some persons knowing the
subject in depth, but not enough for beeing able to commit their
reputation (d'engager leur réputation) in certifying such a rare stamp.

I remember my friend mentioned one expert in Germany and another one in
Switzerland.
I will check that with him.

Thank you for your kind words.

--
All the best,
Pierre Courtiade

to answer me, please replace NOSPAM by my family name

Cher Pierre,

A delayed thanks for your help -health issues kept me away from the
computer for a while. I gave the info you mentioned to our friend,
obviously he'll have to contact a serious connoisseur to evaluate his
stamp... However, if you can contact any expert who might know of
someone in Greece that could help, this would be really nice, but no
sweat -if it's any trouble forget about it!

I'd also like to thank Ann Mette, who was the first to reply; I had
done so, but somehow Google burried my reply and I can't see it?
Anyway, thanks indeed for your help, I'm most obliged.

Kind regards
PT